AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 595 



Mr. Bruce mentioned, as a proof of there being an outlet from the 

 center of the lake, that this substance floats towards the centre, even 

 against the wind. 



Mr. Garvey said, that if there were a constant current setting towards 

 the center from all sidess, there would be a whirlpool produced, by the 

 combined action of the current and the earth's rotation. 



Mr. Seeley, being asked if he had made a chemical analysis of the sub- 

 stance from Mono Lake — a small specimen of which had been given to him, 

 for that purpose, by Mr. Bruce — stated, that he had not analyzed it, but, 

 relying solely on the evidence of his senses, he would judge it to be a 

 vegetable substance, and not an animal production. 



Professor Hedrick stated that the specimen, which he had got, was too 

 small for experiment. From the taste and smell, as well as the general 

 appearance presented by it, he judged it to be a species of algae peculiar to 

 that lake. 



Professor Mason announced that he had just been notified by the Secre- 

 tary of the Committee on Arts and Science, that he was appointed Chair- 

 man of the Association, for the remainder of the year. 



Mr. Bruce proposed that the Association express their approval of the 

 nomination»by vote. This proposition was carried by acclamation. A 

 vote of thanks to the Chairman was then passed, for the punctual and 

 impartial manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office during 

 the past year, often at great personal inconvenience. 



FIRE ESCAPES AND IRON BUILDINGS. 



Mr. Dibbin, in introducing the subjects of the evening, suggested that : 

 1. There is too much wood used in buildings, which render them danger- 

 ously combustible. 2. Hooks and ladders are not now of as much use as 

 they were when houses were only three stories high. 3. A greater quantity 

 of fire-subduing and fire-escape apparatus is demanded by the wants of the 

 inhabitants of cities, but these must not take up too much room. 4. In 

 reference to the London fire-escape, which was attracting attention at the 

 time, it would be well to examine its working and see if it is the best. 

 True, houses in London allow more time for escape, and such an apparatus 

 can then be fixed and used. It worked well when in operation, but it 

 took up too much room. 5. There is a system of ladders proposed, which 

 can be shot up to any reasonable height, but is also clumsy. 6. The can- 

 vas-bag escape may be used, but requires time for fixing. There is a 

 ladder connected with it ; the bag or hose arrangement being underneath 

 the ladder. This worked well on exhibition ; boys, children and goods, 

 being slid down it with ease. 7. He would suggest the use of a pulley and 

 rope, with a basket. 



Dr. Young. — Women and children have not the skill necessary to use 

 any of those fire escapes, nor even to come down ladders. 



Ventilation being now called for, Prof. Mason remarked, that we com- 

 menced by warming with open fire-place and allowing the ventilation to 



