22 Transactions of the American Institute. 



The department of engines and machinery occupied the largest 

 share of space, and was mostly filled with new inventions. 



In the department of fine arts and education, among the most 

 noticeable features were the photographic displays, pianos, and 

 optical instruments. 



The department of the dwelling contained almost every conceiv- 

 able device for lessening the severity of domestic labor, table uten- 

 sils, fm-niture, and many ornaments for the house. 



Among the many novelties in the department of dress and handi- 

 craft, were the latest inventions for sewing and knitting. 



The department of chemistry and mineralogy contained many 

 new specimens and preparations. 



The small space allotted to the department of intercommunica- 

 tion was overcrowded with novelties relating to railways, common 

 roads, navigation, trade, telegraphs, printing, and public structures. 

 That Avhich attracted most attention being the full-sized pneumatic 

 railway, extending across the building, and built expressly by the 

 projector for this exhibition, at a cost of nearly six thousand dollars. 



The display of plants, vegetables, fruits and flowers, in the 

 department of agriculture and horticulture, was very creditable, 

 while tlTe number of new and useful farming implements was quite 

 large, considering no opportunity could be given for testing their 

 merits. 



In addition to fine instrumental concerts given each evening, a 

 musical treat was provided during a portion of each day, by the 

 performance of a mechanical or automatic organ called the "Orches- 

 trion." 



With regard to the award of premiums, it may be said that 

 unusual care was taken in the selection of judges, among whom 

 NQYe found some of the leading scientific men of this and neigh- 

 boring cities. The duty of testing machines and instruments, 

 analyzing chemical compounds, examining in detail works of art 

 and useful implements, was performed, generally, with unusual 

 scrutiny and impartiality; and although, in some few cases, their 

 judgments have, as might have been expected, given offence, and 

 for which the board of managers lAve been blamed without cause, 

 since the laws of the Institute forbid their interference in relation 

 to the comparative merits of competing articles, yet they cannot 

 let this occasion pass without placing on record its opinion that the 

 thanks of the Institute are eminently due to the judges of the 

 thu'ty-seventh exhibition. After a season of unexampled success, 



