16 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



it appears to them that if it applied to canal boats of large dimen- 

 sions the indications upon the index or scale produced by mode- 

 rate additions to the cargo, will not be aftected to such an extent 

 as to enable ordinary observers to ascertain the weight with any 

 considerable degree of accuracy. If a tolerable approximation to 

 the weight of a cargo is all that is required, the scale may be use- 

 ful, as it is easily applied, and requires little time or labor to read 

 its indications. 



Bespectfully submitted, 



JOHN D. WARD, 

 JOSEPH DIXON, 

 SAMUEL D. TILLMAN, 

 New Yobk, February Gth, 1867. 



