proceedings of the polytechnic association. 493 



American Institute, Polytechnic Association, 1 

 October 11, 1860. S 



Professor Mason in the chair. 



Before the meeting proceeded to the usual business, as there 

 were not many members present, the Chairman made a few ob- 

 servations relative to the growth and increase of this country in 

 wealth and population, and related an anecdote of an individual 

 who died, and left $300,000 for the purpose of carrying out the 

 juvenile population of this city to the rural districts, when 

 $300,000 more could be raised for that purpose. He thought 

 that the sentiments the Prince of Wales would carry with him to 

 England in regard to this country, would be the means of cement- 

 ing the good feeling that already exists between the two coun- 

 tries. 



CUT-OFF. 



Mr. Hedrick said that their report on the subject of the " cut- 

 off" was not, as yet, completed. 



Mr. Bartlett read a paper on the natural history of the ostrich. 

 His impression was that the ostriches were in the habit of laying 

 their eggs in the sand and then leaving them to chance for incu- 

 bation; and stated that the time of incubation was unsettled up 

 to 1857. The paper which he read proved, among other things, 

 that the female bird generally hatched five hours and the m£^e 

 nineteen hours, also, that at the first appearance of a storm the 

 hen would place herself beside the male on the eggs, for the pur- 

 pose of helping the incubation. 



Mr. Fisher enquired what would be the value of the breeding 

 and acclimation of the ostrich. 



Mr. Mason replied that it was their feathers. 



Mr. Bartlett said that they expected, in France, shortly to be 

 able to produce the ostrich for eating purposes, as well as for 

 their feathers. He did not see any reason why they should not 

 be good for eating, although they lived on rats, snails, &c., and 

 occasionally swallowed nails, pebbles, glass, &c. 



Mr. Seely stated that he had seen pictures of the ostrich in 

 harness. 



Mr. Dibben said he saw one in harness. 



Dr. Stevens said they were eaten by the ancient Romans. 



Messrs. Rowell &. Hedrick made some illustrations on the 

 black board relative to the experiments they were making in re- 

 ference to the use of steam expansively, but stated that they had 

 not arrived, as yet, at any conclusive opinion on the subject. 



