10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



porter of its proceedings, but during most of the previous year it 

 had neither reporter nor regular secretary, it is therefore matter of 

 surprise and gratification to find its discussions occupying its usual 

 share in the volume of Transactions just published. 



The matter is printed in smaller type than heretofore, thus a 

 work of more contents than usual has been embraced in a volume 

 of smaller size. 



The supervision of the proceedings of the Polytechnic in their 

 preparation for the press, and the correction of proof, was the vo- 

 luntary work of the Chairman, assisted by Mr. Chambers, the libra- 

 rian. The very few typographical errors which will, in no instance, 

 mislead the reader, resulted from the fact that the proofreader and 

 the printer were one hundred and fifty miles apart. The chief topics 

 discussed in the volume — improvements in weapons of war, locks, 

 locomotion, the use of steam expansively, the production, refining 

 and useful applications of petroleum, arc- interesting alike to all 

 classes of the community, and will doubtless attract very general 

 attention. Respectfully submitted, 



CHARLES A. JOY, Chairman, 



JOHN D. WARD, 



JOSEPH DIXON, 



JAMES L. JACKSON, 



S. D. TILLMAN, 



Committee, 



