AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 48-3 



invention, and discussing it, without first informing the .inventor that such 

 a discussion was intended ; and also stated that it was suggested to the 

 Board of Managers to have a detailed report made by the judges for publi- 

 cation. It was then proposed that the subject of steam-boilers be taken up 

 for discussion at the next meeting. 



Mr. Koch explained his "Moving Tread Power," for mowing and reap- 

 ing by man power. It consists of devices for employing the force of a man, 

 walking upon belts, or having straps to his feet — the belts or straps working 

 over pulleys which, by ratchet and pall, are prevented from moving in one 

 direction without turning the axis, and are moved in the other direction by 

 a recoil spring. Mr. Koch stated that he had a machine constructed, 

 weighing only 60 lbs., which would enable a man to do a much larger 

 amount of mowing or reaping than he could do by means of a scythe, &c. 



Mr. Butler called attention to the beautiful specimens of seamless pure 

 copper tubes exhibited at the Fair. Several members spoke in high terms 

 of them, and Mr. Johnson described the mode of their manufacture, viz: 

 The molten copper is poured into a suitable vessel, so mounted that a high 

 speed of rotation can be given to it, and the copper it contains ; the effect 

 being that the copper is piled up, by centrifugal force, against the sides of the 

 vessel, leaving a hole in the centre, and expelling all the air. The mass is 

 then cold drawn, on a mandril, to the proper thickness ; and is rendered 

 compact, uniform, and pure, by the whole process. 



The manufacture of shafting, by combined rolling and drawing, was then 

 discussed, as some specimens which had been exhibited had attracted con- 

 siderable attention. There being, however, a difference of one cent a 

 pound between them and turned shaftings, the club seemed to think that, 

 though excellent, they would not be generally adopted. 



Zinc tubing was spoken of in terms of approval, by several practical 

 plumbers, builders, &c., and the comparative healthfulness of zinc and lead 

 being called in question, gave rise to some interesting remarks from Charles 

 Seeley, Esq., chemist, and Dr. Deck, who had been engaged in England in 

 examining the water which had paralyzed Her Majesty's hounds. The 

 conclusion come to was, that either very pure or very impure water will 

 affect lead pipe, but that, in general, it may be used without danger. 



Mr. Fisher was requested to read a paper on steam boilers at next meet- 

 ing, after which the Association adjourned. 



PoLYTEcnNic Association op the American Institute, ) 



November 10, 1859. } 



S. D. Tillman, Esq., in the chair. John Johnson, Esq., Secretary, pro 

 tern. 



Miscellaneous business was taken up, and Mr. Seely explained Maille- 

 fert's diving-bell. It is used for gathering oysters, but does not seem 

 equal to Ryerson's for general purposes. The novelty consists in having 

 an air chamber, with trap-doors, so that a man or a barrel of oysters may 



