THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY 269 



CHAPTER XVII 



GENERAL HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY (continued) 

 (1836-1877) 



THE evening scientific meetings continued to be held, 

 and at the first of the series in November 1836, Baron 

 Foster occupying the chair, Dr. Scouler exhibited 

 specimens of lignites and silicified woods from the 

 neighbourhood of Lough Neagh, on which he made 

 observations. Dr. Kane exhibited a modification of 

 Faraday's electro-magnetic apparatus, invented by Pro- 

 fessor Callan of Maynooth. At the meeting in May 

 1837, Mr. Clibborn read a long paper on the theory 

 and practical results of the banking system in America, 

 which is printed in full in the Proceedings, vol. Ixxiii. 

 appendix viii. In December 1837, Dr. Kane presented 

 specimens of books printed in raised letters, for the use 

 of the blind, and explained the merits of each system ; 

 and in 1838, Mr. Grubb read a paper on the com- 

 parative and defining powers of different telescopes, 

 and the disappearance of stars, when great magnifying 

 power is used. Dr. Kane explained the electro- 

 magnetic telegraph used in Munich, and Mr. Colles 

 read a paper on street architecture. Later, Dr. Scouler 

 discoursed on the dolomites, or beds of magnesian 

 limestone, found in some parts of Ireland, and Mr. 

 Rigby read a paper on the rifling of gun barrels. In 

 January 1839, when the Lord Lieutenant was present, 

 Professor Davy gave an account of two new gaseous 



