948 Transactions of the American Institute. 



The Maiden island guano of the South Pacific ocean contains 

 seventy-six per cent phosphate of lime and fourteen per cent organic 

 matter. 



At the conclusion of Dr. Feuchtwanger's paper, Dr. J. J. Edwards 

 remarked that more than half the land in the south is worn out 

 land, and it is very fortunate that this apatite is so very abundant 

 there. 



Dr. D. D. Parmelee said that the high price of apatite will prevent 

 its general use for manufacturing phosphates. Our inability to 

 obtain suitable crucibles, is a bar to our manufacturing phos- 

 phorus and other compounds with any degree of economy. We 

 make very good plumbago crucibles, but we have no very good ones 

 of other substances. It is surprising the amount of phosphorus that 

 is made in Paris and England. It is now sold at a dollar a pound 

 in this city. 



Dr. Yanderweyde remarked that the outside of a grain of flour 

 contains the most phosphate. Those who study much should eat 

 • oysters and other shell fish, as they contain a large amount of phos- 

 phoric acid. The hypo-phosphate of lime is now much used for 

 consumption. 



Means of Transit between TTew York and Brooklyn. 



Mr. J. K. Fisher remarked that he had seen it stated that the 

 Brooklyn suspension bridge was to be 133 feet high. He would pre- 

 fer a tunuel to a bridge across the East river. A tunnel under this 

 -river could never be a useless structure, even in the event of having 

 the river filled up, as some propose. 



The chairman said that it was feasible to build a bridge across the 

 East river which would not materially interfere with navigation. 

 Let the bridge at the east end be on a level with, or slightly higher 

 than Brooklyn heights, and continue at that height for about 400 

 feet to a pier ; from which point the bridge might be built on a 

 gradually descending grade, until it reached John street on the New 

 York side of the river. The construction of four, or even five, piers to 

 sustain this bridge, would not obstruct the river as much as it is already 

 obstructed, by narrowing it by docks opposite' Grand street. Under 

 the most elevated part of this l^ridge, near the Brooklyn side, all the 

 largest steamers navigating Long Island sound could pass at all 

 times, while ordinary steam tugs could pass unHer this bridge at 

 about its central spaii, A draw could be placed in the bridge to 



