570 TARANSACTIONS OF THE 



examination, and have presented all kinds of difficulties to Mr. Wiard, 

 every one of wliich he had already anticipated, and had met more com- 

 pletely than the committee had thought it possible ; and further, that they 

 believe it to be the direct office of this club to examine such an invention, 

 and state beforehand, from the scientific principles and mechanical devices 

 involved in it, whether it will succeed or not. It would argue extreme 

 want of confidence in our own knowledge and scientific attainments, were 

 we to hesitate to pronounce an opinion until the ice boat had been running 

 for a year or two ; then any one could tell that it would succeed. Now is 

 the time for this club to show its confidence in its ability to judge of the 

 practicability of ice navigation by steam. 



Signed on behalf of the committee by 



BENJAMIN GARVEY. 



The subject of the evening, " Superheated Steam," being called up, Mr. 



Churchill read a paper, a copy of which was not furnished for publication. 



The Association adjourned to Thursday, subject " Superheated Steam." 



Polytechnic Association of the American Institute, ) 



February 2Sd, 1860. j 



Prof. Mason, Chairman. John Johnson, Esq., Secretary pro tern. 



Mr. Lewis Masquerier exhibited a chart, illustrative of, and read a paper 

 upon, the alphabetic sounds, and the importance of a "perfect alphabet," 

 which he claims to have devised. 



Prof. Reuben read a communication from Mortara & Co., on their mode 

 of " Braking up a Railroad Train, by the Direct Action of Steam upon 

 the Brakes." 



wtkopf's process of extracting gold. 



. The committee, to whom was referred Mr. J. N. Wykoff's system for 

 separating gold from tailings and stampings, respectfully report — 



" That they have had two interviews with Mr. Wykofi", and learn from 

 him that he and his associates, have diligently and perseveringly woi-ked 

 out a very simple, ingenious and inexpensive method of gathering up the 

 infinitesmal particles of gold, which have hitherto escaped the observation 

 of close seekers after the precious metal. The method, adopted by these 

 gentlemen, is of ready comprehension, feasible and practicable, even to the 

 uninitiated. Your committee, in view of the foregoing,, have much pleasure 

 in recommending to the notice of all, requiring simple and efficient 

 machinery for washing and collecting gold, to commence themselves, as 

 your committee have done, by an interview with Mr. Wykoff, personally, 

 (or to visit the Melville Mine, Spotsylvania, Va.,) that the system practiced 

 and patented by these gentlemen, may be seen to be simple and efficient. 



"Your committee consider the reworking of the water employed, as a 



very valuable consideration. 



"B. S. HEDBICK, 



"JOHN JOHNSON." 



