40 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



6th. "Koch's water meter." 



Only a sectional drawing having been exhibited of this inven- 

 tion, your committee could form no opinion as to its merits, in the 

 absence of the inventor, who is reported to have deceased. 



7th. "Essay on the promotion of dormant inventions," by " Solon 

 Archimedes." 



Your committee would make honorable mention of this paper, 

 but do not think it covers the ground, proposed by the Institute, 

 sufficiently to merit a medal. 



8th. " Barrel elevator," at the Metropolitan mills, by " Henry 

 Waterman." 



Several of your committee examined this apparatus, and found it 

 in successful operation daily, effecting a great saving of time and 

 labor. 



The apparatus consists of an endless band of India rubber belt- 

 ing passing vertically over an upper and lower drum, driven by a 

 belt from a pulley ; to this band, which is nearly the width of a 

 flour barrel, a series of projections, supported by springs, are 

 attached ; on these projections the barrels are placed, and ascend 

 with the belt to any floor required, through a special series of 

 natchways. At each hatchway an arrangement is made for causing 

 the shelf or projection carrying the barrel to tip or depress, and 

 the barrel rolls off on the floor or wagon, as the case may be. It 

 also serves for lowering barrels from one floor to another, and is. 

 altogether a successful mechanical adaptation, and reflects great 

 credit upon its jDrojectors. 



Your committee recommend that a silver medal be awarded t> 

 the inventor. 



In conclusion, your committee regret that so few inventors hate 

 thought it expedient to compete for the annual prizes offered l>y 

 the Institute, in recognition of mechanical talent. The number 

 and value of the inventions exhibited at the weekly sittings of ifae 

 Polytechnic Association, are a sufficient proof that our brethien 

 are not idle in this peculiar field ; yet the task imposed upon your 

 committee has been a light one, as the records exhibit. Such ai it 

 has been, however, your committee have endeavored, without pre- 

 judice or favor, to perform it to the best of their ability. 



WARREN ROWELL, Chairman, 



WM. H. BUTLER, 



THOS. D. STETSON, 



J. WYATT REID, Secretary. 



New York, January 22, 1863. 



