468 ■ TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



pounds, for four days. I have kept a piece of ice weighing sixty 

 pounds for the space of a week in one of them. 



Chairman. — "What do you claim to be the peculiarity of this 

 refrigerator ? 



Mr. Elliott. — We claim a more perfect ventilation by that 

 descent, — by letting the air pass through the sides we check the 

 passage of the cold air, by letting it out at the bottom the cold 

 air passes off too rapidly. 



Chairman. — "Will you state what the superiority of this re- 

 refrigerator is over those made by other manufacturers — Schoo- 

 ley's for instance ? 



Mr. Elliott. — The superiority of this one is, that it retains a 

 larger amount of cold air than Schooley's does ; also, that the 

 ice placed at the top ; whereas, in Schooley's patent, the ice is 

 placed at the bottom, and the air escapes through the top. The 

 atmosphere, although heated, did not deposit any moisture on 

 its ascent for the purpose of passing through the registers in the 

 sides. Strawberries and other fruits could be kept for a week 

 without changing their flavor. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEES ON NEER's DYNAMOMETER. 



Mr. Dibben, from the committee appointed to examine Neer's 

 Dynanometer and Register, made the following report : 



That in the opinion of the committee, this instrument being 

 made of proper size, will correctly measure and register the 

 actual power taken from any revolving shaft, or which may be 

 applied to move any revolving machinery. It is not complicated, 

 and when well made, will not be liable to get out of order. 



As many good descriptions of the instrument have been writ- 

 ten, your committee refrain from enlarging on this subject. 



June 6, 1860. 



EDWARD W. SERRELL, 



FRANK DIBBEN, 



R. P. STEVENS. 



Dr. Stevens — Bitumen, petroleum, rock oil, Seneca oil, asphaltum, 

 and mineral pitch, are all synonymous and varieties of the same 

 substance found in nature, being certain definite compounds of car- 

 bon and hydrogen. It is invaluable as a coating for wood and 

 metals, having a rich, glossy lustre and durability. Hardware 



