878 Transactions of the American Institute. 



which may be made iu the system to meet the different cases. 

 These offer to the appreciative engineer, oftentimes, the only means 

 of safely founding his works, and at a reasonable cost, and warrants 

 mjre attention than it has heretofore received in this country. 



February 20, 1868. 



Prof. S. D. Tillman in the chair. 

 The meeting was opened by the Chairman, who read the following 

 notes on science and art. 



THE COHOES SLiSTODON. 



This skeleton has been mounted in the State Geological Hall, at 

 Albanj^, by Professor Hall and his assistants. Its height is nine and 

 a half feet. The length of the spinal column is fifteen feet; of the 

 whole skeleton, following the curve, twenty and a half feet, and in 

 a straight line fourteen and a quarter feet. 



<X)ndy's fluid. 

 The great sanitary value of this preparation, as proved by the 

 late experience of Prussian army surgeons, has been recognized by 

 the " International Societies for aid to the wounded in time of war," 

 who have awarded to Mr. Condy their medal for the discovery of 

 the disinfecting properties of the alkaline permanganates. 



TURKEY-EED. 



M. Bernard has shortened the time of dyeing calico and woolen 

 clothes with madder, by previously oxydizing the oil used in the 

 first part of the process. This is effected by heating the oil to Qo'* 

 C, with a solution of the chlorate of potash, and adding very 

 gradually oxalic acid. The mixture is afterward boiled for some 

 hours. 



TIERS-ABaENT. 



This beautiful white alloy, first made by Taloureau, consists of 

 two-thirds of aluminum and one-third silver. It is now made per- 

 fectly homogeneous and is easily fabricated. Its hardness and 

 lightness are valuable qualities in table furniture. Spoons, forks, 

 goblets, and salvers made of this material are rapidly coming into 

 use in Paris. 



