940 Transactions of the American Institute. 



III. — Countries in which the Metric System is permissive. 



IV— In Sweden (population, 1867, 4,195,681) and Norway (1867, 

 1,701,478, total, 5,897,159) the decimal division has been, adopted, 

 without as yet the metric values. 



As the peoples in the second class above may be regarded as com- 

 mitted to the ultimate adoption of the metric system in full, we may 

 count, as already enlisted on this side of the question, a total of about 

 420,000,000. [The speaker continued.] 



I do not ask that any change shall be made without ample prepara- 

 tion. We want first that the system shall be thoroughly taught to the 

 rising generation in the schools. Then let the government introduce it 

 in the post-office. It was made optional with the postmasters, and they 

 did not introduce it. And then let us introduce it in the custom- 

 houses, where it will be a great blessing to the importer ; for a large 

 part of the merchandise that is imported is invoiced upon the metrical 

 basis, and must be transformed into our denominations, pounds or 

 yards, in order to pass through the custom-house. Let the govern- 

 ment do this, and the intercommunication of the people with each 

 other and with European countries will make the adoption of the sys- 

 tem certain. 



Mr. J. K. Fisher — I see by the last Engineer that Austria has 

 adopted the metric system, optional from the 1st of January, 1873, 

 and compulsory from the 1st of January, 1876. 



The thanks of the Association were tendered to Dr. Barnard for his 



lecture on the metric system. 



Adjourned. 



April 19, 1872. 



Prof. S. D. Tillman in the chair ; Robert "Weir, Esq., Secretary. 

 The President read the following paper : 



New Recording Instrument for Submarine Telegraphs. 



Until quite recently, the only telegraphic instrument .which could 

 be used in connection with the very feeble electric force manifested 



