578 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



are now less numerous in the St. Lawrence than heretofore ; on the con- 

 trary, their number is much greater, and their species belong exclusively 

 to the St. Lawrence river. It is the largest and most profitable of those 

 which live permanently in our waters. 



This fish was formerly taken in inclosures, made of light and flexible 

 poles fixed in the beach. 



Stakes are now used to make the inclosures only at Riviere Quelle, Ste. 

 Anne's and Isle aux Coudres ; but, for some years past, another method 

 has been adopted, and, no doubt, if it had been on a more extended scale 

 it would have yielded immense profits. 



I have, for several years past, adopted the system of taking this fish in 

 nets, near the river Saguenay. 



After repeated experiments we discovered the proper manner to clarify 

 the oil of the fish, and to manufacture leather out of its skin. 



This oil is extremely fluid, inodorous, and gives a light whose brilliancy 

 is only surpassed by that of gas. It is superior to any other for the use of 

 light-houses, because it does not coagulate even in the most intense cold, 

 and its ductility renders it invaluable for greasing leather and also machin- 

 ery, which it preserves from injury by friction. Appreciated for these 

 qualities by the great exhibitions of Paris and London, of Canada and 

 New York, it has gained testimonials and medals which sufiiciently attest 

 the great success obtained. 



The skin of this fish is of a tissue the exact character of which it would 

 be difficiilt to establish when we have ten or twelve samples of different 

 kinds of leather made from the same skin, in its normal state; kid, sole 

 leather, harness leather, velvet leather, plush leather and black leather for 

 foot gears. 



The average price of a white whale which was only forty dollars ten years 

 ago is now over $150, and this is on account of the increased value we have 

 given to its oil and to its skin. 



Its weight is about 2,500 lbs. ; the largest attain 5,000, and are worth 

 $200. These are about twenty-two feet long and fifteen feet in circumfe- 

 rence. The ear is so small that only connoisseurs can find it, but the sense 

 of hearing is more acute than that of any fish of the whale kind. 



There cannot be any doubt that at an early day, the various properties 

 of this animal, as yet very little known, will call the attention of your 

 merchants and the investigations of your savants. 



Mr. Garabanti showed a model of a window with the sashes so hung that 

 both can be opened by turning on horizontal axes at their middles, thereby 

 allowing perfect ventilation through the whole aperture of the window. 

 By the same contrivance they can be turned outside-in for the convenience 

 of cleaning them. At all other times the sashes are under the same con- 

 trol as ordinary ones. They can be raised and lowered in the same way, 

 being hung by sash weights. This was highly commended by the Club. 

 Mr. Fry, dentist, of Brooklyn, is the fortunate inventor. 



The chairman, in calling up the subject of the evening, " adulterations," 



