10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITCTE. 



11. Dnipcr. a large uiimbor of measuring instruments, including those 

 rolatiuii to Hort»logA-. are tlcscriheil. The mo^t important paper 

 having a Siinitary hearing is upon the chemistry of lead pipe. 



The principal topics of discussion in 18G4 were: The value of 

 ' ■ !s of fuel: the best mode of using steam e.\pan.>ively; 

 II cf waste products: the form of water pipes; oil wells 

 :ind the products of crude petroleum: the best methods of preserv- 

 ing fruit: the manufacture of gloves: pneumatic i-ailways, elevated 

 i-.iilways. and tunnel railways for cities; the manufacture and use of 

 furs: the manufacture of straw goods; the manufacture of salt: the 

 ' auses of the occasional impurity of our city atmosphere: the manu- 

 I'acture of thread; the manufacture of ether, chloiT»form and bisul- 

 phide of carbon, and pumps and other apparatus for raising water. 



The discussion of these subjects, as well as the criticis-ms on the 

 sck lit itic items presented by the Chainuan. and on the variou>5 ma- 

 chines exhibited, evince the high mechanical and chemical attain- 

 ments of the members of the Polytechnic, and that peculiar acumen 

 "to the complete comprehension and elucidation of all 

 < relating to technology. 



In addition to the regular attendants occasional visitors arc attracted 

 to the meetings by the invitation extended to them through two of 

 the daily papers of the city. Distinguished scientitie gentlemen have 

 casually participated in the debates and contributed valuable infor- 

 mation. 



It has been the aim of 3-our Committee to offer through the Poly- 

 technic everj- facility to inventors for the free exhibition and explana- 

 tion of novelties of art, and for full and imjxirtial criticism. The 

 wi^< 'ion of the Associati<m to appoint no special committees 



to t -iiventions. effectually precludes all chance of tavoritism. 



and prevents the perversion of their organization from its legitimate 

 purpt>ses. 



Your Committee are fully impressed with the importance of pro- 

 perly reporting the debates of the Polytechnic, which, with the 

 other tr :.sof the American Institute, are published by legis- 

 lative ;.; ..;y and distributed equally in each assembly district of 



the >:;.te. to the members of the Institute, and which also tind a place 

 in msny of the public libraries on both sides of the Atlantie*. Our 

 niunial volume. ree*entlv jrreatlv increased in circulation, has 

 gi\'en to the Institute a coiTesponding increase in facilities for 

 doing good by more widely diffusing information alike useful to the 

 fanner and to the n ' :rer. It may therefore be safely :isserted 

 that the Amerie-an I iiy means of the annual volume as well 



as l>y weekly notices apjjcaring in newspapers, now exerts a wider 



