420 SECTION MECHANICS. 



subjects here touched upon are very various, and it would be im- 

 possible to do full justice to all their branches. For instance, sub- 

 marine telegraphy has been perhaps rather slightly touched upon by 

 Mr. Preece, though it is in itself a very large and important branch of 

 the whole. I am quite sure you will join me in a vote of thanks to 

 Mr. Preece for his very able paper. 



The next paper on our list, Mr. Henrici's, will not be brought 

 forward to-day, and therefore there is a short time for discussion if 

 any one wishes to continue the subject. 



If not, I have, in closing the meeting, to close this section of the 

 Conference. We have had before us important communications on all 

 the leading branches of applied science, and I think that we may con- 

 gratulate ourselves upon the manner in which these subjects have been 

 brought before us, and have been illustrated by the models from the 

 collection downstairs, a collection which is unrivalled of its kind. The 

 Conferences will be followed by a series of lectures or explanations of the 

 exhibits themselves, because it was impossible at these general meetings 

 to enter into the merits of the particular exhibits, and time not being 

 sufficient for the purpose. It may be objected that we have not done 

 justice to many of the most interesting machines which may be found 

 downstairs, but if we had attempted to discuss the merits of particular 

 exhibits, we should certainly have failed to give a bird's-eye view, so 

 to speak, of the riches contained in this exhibition, and by having 

 obtained this bird's-eye view, we shall be better able to turn our 

 attention to particular exhibits, and range them amongst the whole. 

 I myself would have liked to have given an explanation of one or two 

 apparatus in which I feel particular interest, but for the same reason 

 I have abstained from doing so. I hope we shall all separate with the 

 conviction that these discussions have not been without profit. 



END OF VOL. L 



/j. 



