PROCEBDiyGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 855 



belt over the tirst, for tlie purpose of securing tlie advantages of a 

 double belt without its rigidity. He also stated that by running the 

 belt with the grain side in contact with the pulley a gain of thirty 

 per cent is insured as compared with the result when the flesh side is 

 placed innermost ; and, furthermore, that by covering the pulley with 

 leather, grain side outermost, so that grain side will be presented to 

 grain side, the adhension will be fifty per cent greater than with the 

 same belt run upon a smooth iron pulley. 



With reference to the evolution of electricity from running belts, the 

 writer mentioned a case that had once fallen under his observation, 

 that of a main belt which passed over two pair of looms in a cotton 

 weaving room. If a thread broke, its end would point up to the 

 belt, and, if long enough, it would come in contract therewith. The 

 hair of the attendants was made to stand on end by the same agency. 

 The annoyance was so great that it became difficult to get the hands 

 to attend the looms, but it was finally overcome by arranging, con- 

 tiguous to the belt, an iron rod furnished with points and connected 

 by a suitable conductor with a water reservoir. This can-ied away 

 the electricity, and obviated the difiiculty. 



Previous to adjournment for the summer. Prof. J. A. Whitney 

 rose and said that while, under all circumstances, he liked to address 

 the Chairman, yet, on the present occasion, he would be pleased if he 

 would vacate the chair for a few moments, Avhile he made a few 

 remarks which he knew would please every person in the room. 



Prof. Tillman then left the chair, and Dr. L. Bradley was selected 

 to preside. 



Prof. Whitney continued: He said it seemed to him, and no doubt 

 to the whole meeting, a source of regret that this was the last sum- 

 mer meeting of the Polytechnic Association, as they were about taking 

 their usual recess. They had spent many pleasant evenings together, 

 which had been to all of them both instructive and profitable. 

 Their regret at parting is tinged with a deeper hue when they 

 reflected that two of their members had left them, and would never 

 be with them again. Their voices, which they were so pleased to 

 hear, have been forever hushed ; they are missed in their accustomed 

 places, and they are often recalled to memory during the discussions. 



The new ideas and facts that have been presented at the weekly 

 meetings of the Polytechnics, and stored up in the mind from time 

 to time, would cause them to remember the evenings they had spent 

 together through life. 



