October 4, 1894] 



NA TURE 



559 



pansion. And as the pipes are led both to condenser and 

 atmosphere, all these types may be tried either condensing or 

 non-condensing. 



In fact, a complete balance-sheet of the heat supplied, used, 

 and rejected by the engines can be made, and the materials for 

 the study of cylinder condensation by Hirn's analysis are easily 

 obtair>ed. 



Several other engines and boilers are available for experi- 

 mental purposes. 



The Third-year Laboratory contains apparatus for the demon- 

 stration of the properties of the permanent gases and of steam ; 

 and a complete set of the most modern types of pyrometers and 

 thermometers, gauges, mercury columns, planimeters, calori- 

 meters, render possible investigation of many problems of im- 

 portance to the engineering world. 



In the third year, students of thermodynamics are taught the 

 principles of the science by direct experiment ; and original 

 research is encouraged during the summer under the direction 

 •of thefprofessor. 



for many hours. The instrumental equipment consists of com- 

 parators, dividing engines ; a portable Bessel's reversible 

 pendulum, for the determination of gravity ; an astronomical 

 clock, break-circuit chronometer and chronograph ; level triers, 

 end-measuring'gauges, and minor instruments. 



The equipment of geodetic and surveying instruments for 

 the use ot students consists of transits and transit theodolites 

 of various forms, levels of the Dumpy Wye and precision types, 

 sextants for marine sounding and land work, plane tables of 

 English and American forms, surveyors and prismatic com- 

 passes, current meters, an altazimuth for triangulation work, a 

 zenith telescope, astronomical transits. 



There are also han I levels, chains, steel bands, tapes, baro- 

 meters, pedometers, and other minor instruments required for 

 geodetic work. 



The Mathematical Laboratory (Fig. 3) is liberally supplied 

 with apparatus with which the student learns to make measure- 

 ments of time, mass, distance, acceleration, and other quantities 

 dealt with in the lectures, as well as to verify the fundamental 



Fig. 2. — Geodetic Labcraiory. 



In the fourth year, engine boiler and fuel testing is largely 

 worked at ; and the higher parts of the subject are explained 

 by reference to the results obtained from the indicator card, as 

 measured and examined lor moisture and heat exchange. The 

 gas and hot-air engines are tested again and .igain, and the 

 effect of the different factors which modify results pointed out 

 by careful observation. 



The (leodetic Laboratory (Fig. 2) is primarily designed for 

 the investigation of apparatus used in geodetic and surveyiri'j 

 operations ; it also affords the means of producing standartis of 

 length and of graduating circles. 



The laboratory is double-walled, nnd the inner wall, which is 

 of brick, contains an air space. In the basement there is an 

 air chamber, from which ho", or cold air may be supplied to the 

 work-room by a sysieni of pipes. The air circulation is main- 

 t-ained by a fan which is driven by an electro-motor at any 

 required speed. When the desired temperature is reached all 

 openings are closed, and a practically uniform temperature held 



laws of mechanics and to investigate various mathematical and 

 dynamical constants. Special attention is directed to the 

 general principles underlying the ordinary instruments of pre- 

 cision which are used in physics, the simpler forms of these 

 instruments being put into the hands of the student at an early 

 period in his course. The experiments are in almost all cases 

 quantitative, and the learner is encouraged to attain the greatest 

 possible precision which the nature of the experiment and the 

 instruments available admit. 



The Electrical Engineering Laboratories are under the care of 

 Trof C. A. Carus-Wilson. They consist cf the magnetic 

 laboratory, the electrical laboratory, the dynamo room and the 

 photometer room. 



The equipment in the magnetic laboratory comprises a bal- 

 listic galvanometer designed for use in a variable magnetic tield 

 (this can be connected with any apparatus in this room or in 

 the dynamo room) ; a calibrating coil for the galvanometer, 

 two magnetic yokes, a solenoid and spring balance for traction 



NO. I 30 I, VOL. 50] 



