530 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



There have been some instances where lead balls have been fired from four 

 and five inch guns, but they were not balls when they were picked up. 



Dr. J. B. Rich. — At the siege of Antwerp, they poured lead into shells in 

 order to make them reach the city. 



On motion, Messrs. Stetson, Garvey and Nash, were appointed as a com- 

 mittee to examine Mr. Waterbury's rifle iron ball. 



Professor Everett, chairman of the committee on tin-lined lead pipes, 

 said the committee were pursuing their investigations, and would not be 

 able to report at this meeting. The subject of conveying water through 

 lead pipes and lead pipes lined with tin, was one of great importance to 

 the community at large, and the committee hope to have the time to give 

 it due attention. I have here several specimens of what is termed tin-foil, 

 but which is composed of a sheet of lead between two sheets of tin rolled 

 out to a very extreme fineness, it is used for wrapping sundry articles, par- 

 ticularly tobacco. In regard to the use of lead pipe I am informed that in 

 Boston it is very unusual to employ it for conveying water. The builders 

 use either iron pipe lined with glass, or the pure tin pipe. 



Mr. Overton. — A friend and neighbor of mine in the country uses water 

 that comes through a lead pipe over half a mile long, and I have never 

 heard any complaints from him of its injurious efiects. 



Dr. Percy. — The injurious effects of using lead pipe for conveying water 

 can be proved by numerous instances of persons who have been poisoned, 

 and eventually have died from using water coming through lead pipes. I 

 have in my house lead pipe that has been in use some twelve years, and if 

 I take a piece of wood and strike it, and then draw the water from it I will 

 immediately detect the lead in it. Some years ago, when I was with Prof. 

 Torrey, it was the custom to draw the water into a tank for the use of his 

 laboratory, and one day the water was found to contain some sulphur. This 

 lead to the analyzation of the water, and it was ascertained to have lead 

 always 'in it. I have found that it was produced by the erosion of the 

 metal. I have collected a grain of lead to a pint of water, where it has 

 been standing for a single night. I have seen places in this city, where 

 the water would not run up to the third and fourth stories in the day time 

 on account cf their height, but would run in the evening, and when turned 

 on at night this water would always have the sweet metallic taste of lead. 



The bursting of guns was selected as the subject for the next discussion. 



Adjourned. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ) 

 December 11 th, 1863. j 



Chairman, S. D. Tillman, Esq.; Secretary, Mr. B. Garvey. 

 During the hour devoted to miscellaneous business, the Chairman read a 

 very interesting paper, giving a summary of scientific news, 



A New Metal — Indium. 



A new metal has been discovered by Messrs. Rich and Ritter, in a mine- 

 ral composed chiefly of sulphur, arsenic, iron and lead. The new metal is 

 distinguished in the spectroscope by an indigo ray, and has received the 

 Dame of Indium. 



