392 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Mr. Seeley recommended the supply of scientific works by tLe Institute^ 

 for our library. It is now wanting in many. 



Mr. Jolinson advised the trying of experiments on production of elec- 

 tricity by means of combustion. 



Mr. Meigs reminded members of the remarkable esperiments tried by Dr, 

 Perkins, Jr., in London, on heating vf ater red hot ; using a strong iron 

 cylinder, with a piston. The water in the cylinder, compressed by the 

 piston, was heated red hot, and no force exhibited! Yet, probably, if in 

 such a state the water was allowed one inch of space more, it would have 

 taken a mile ! by conversion into air. 



Mr. Seeley. — One lb. of hydrogen is equivalent in furnishing caloric to 

 six lbs. of coal. It is well known that copper will not decompose water nor 

 iron either. There are no cases of explosion which can be imputed to 

 anything but the expansive power of steam. 



Mr, Brown had earnestly investigated explosions and was convinced that 

 the mixture of explosive character is never present and cannot be pro- 

 duced. Expansion only does it. 



Mr. Johnson called attention to the peculiar liability to explosion at the 

 start of an engine. 



Mr. Meigs asked, what is the effect on the strength of iron boilers, of 

 the successive heatings and coolings it is subjected to ? Does it granulate 

 the iron as in cases of percussion, as in carriage axles, &c.? The water 

 and steam being at a given state before the engine moves, exerts no unusual 

 force, but the moment the engine starts, steam is drawn, space made, and 

 an effort instantly made to supply more and supplies too much ! Steam as 

 well as water, can be heated to combustion. Our old friend Frost, with 

 his stame could do it ! 



Mr. Cohen. — Wood, on some of our locomotive engines, is burned by 

 the heat of the steam. 



Mr. Meigs. — I melted a cannon ball in anthracite fire, the coals white hot,. 

 yet retains inside its native color and quality. 



Mr. Cohen, — I have examined the iron of burst boilers and found the 

 metal as tough as when new, 



Mr. Brown. — Put a weak bar of iron on end, in a corner, for a while, 

 and it becomes tough. 



Subjects for next meeting. — " Steam or Caloric for Canal Navigation." 



Adjourned. H. MEIGS, Secretary. 



Becemher, 29, 1858. 



Present — Messrs. Leonard, Fisher, Seeley, Chilson, Witt, Geissenhainerj. 

 Finell, Veeder, Sykes, and others — 16 members. 



Frederick W. Geissenhainer, jr., in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary, 



The Secretary read the following extracts from the last works received 

 from home and from Europe, since the last meeting, viz : 



In May, 1857, this Club recommended the route proposed below : 



