424 TRaNSACTlONS OF TfiE 



class, the bichloride of mercury, (corrosire sublimate) and the chloride of 

 zinc may be named. 



Mr. Tillman illustrated the subject with chemical symbols on the black- 

 board. 



The Chairman mentioned, as illustrative of the singular causes which 

 sometimes tend to destroy buildings, that, in the University building. Pro- 

 fessor Draper, had left on a painted table, a lens, which the rays of the sun 

 had reached, and by which they were brought to a focas so as to char the 

 wood of the table. 



Mr. Seeley. — A naked demijohn of water has produced a similar effect, 



Mr. Meigs stated that large drops of water pendent from the under side 

 of the glass of his hot-bed, have produced a similar effect, so as to destroy 

 all his finest hot-bed plants. Mr. Seeley adverted to Kyan's process. 

 Sulphate of lime (gypsum) can be used to fill the pores of wood. By ex- 

 hausting the air from them, the capillaries of wood can be forced to receive 

 the protecting material, so that light timbers like basswood can be impreg- 

 nated with it, and the impregnating material can be colored to taste, thus 

 forming beautiful wood. 



Chairman. — Kyanizing is not an artificial only, but also a natural pro- 

 cess. Wood from Genesee river, is proverbially of brief duration, while 

 the timber of other places far exceeds it in durability, 



Mr. Johnson. — I have noticed that our hot air flues often reach 600* 

 Fahrenheit, and are hot enough to boil mercury. In Manchester, England, 

 I found an excellent system as to fires. " The law takes despotic com- 

 mand over that matter," consequently the fires are few and small. 



Mr. Stetson, described the common hot-air warming apparatus, in parts 

 of which the heat is from 1,000* to 1,200* ; yet tin flues are employed whose 

 soldered parts are, of course, unsoldered by the heat, and consequently our 

 school-houses are burned out. The registers are often closed, which should 

 never be the case. There were so many fires in San Francisco, that some 

 people put up iron buildings, and on one occasion the people in an iron 

 house, shut it up against a neighboring fire and perished in it with their 

 property. In France, fise houses have been tried with some success. There 

 has been an improvement in the hatchways of stores introduced in Boston, 

 which renders them better for hoisting, and safer in case of fire. 



Dr. Reuben showed the importance of prompt action in case of an alarm 

 of fire, before the extent of burning material be too great. 



The Chairman. — We have advanced somewhat in the line of our duty 

 to-night, by calling public attention to certain points, which may, with 

 others, lead to such legal enactments as Manchester lives safe under. We 

 may thus hope to render some service in promoting the health and safety 

 of our noble city. 



