TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 895 



The temperatures at which a number of specimens of these solders became soft, 

 and afterwards fluid, were measured. In comparison with results of melting the 

 sprinklers in hot water, it was found that an automatic sprinkler opens below the 

 true melting point of the solder, and at the temperature at which this alloy be- 

 comes viscous, or, in some instances, granular. 



The measurements of the discharge of the sprinklers showed that the discharge 

 conformed to the formula : — 

 in which— Q = 5-075«Q ,/P, 



Q = Cubic feet of water per minute. 



A = Area of orifice in square inches. 



Q = Coefficient of efflux, determined by these experiments. 



P = "Water pressure in pounds per square inch. 



The effective head at the sprinkler was found by correcting the measured 

 dynamic head at the gauge by the formula deduced for this purpose, in which the 

 loss of head — ■ 



T-0388Q 2 . 

 d~ 



Automatic sprinklers under a head of seven feet will deliver as much water 

 upon each square foot of floor as the system of perforated sprinkler pipes under a 

 head of forty feet. 



There seems to be no method of providing against freezing during the winter 

 season, in cold buildings equipped with the pendent form of sprinklers. 



With the upright form of sprinklers, it is easy to draw off the water at the 

 point service gate. There seems to be no record of any solution with a lower freezing 

 than any natural temperature, which is also non-corrosive and incombustible. 



Experience shows that sheet lead is the only material suited for valve seats of 

 sensitive sprinklers. 



Both the results of experience, and the facts proven by this investigation, show 

 that the efficiency of automatic sprinklers is not liable to become impaired by 

 time. 



7. On the Friction of Journals. By Professor Osboexe Reynolds, F.B.S. 



8. Grain Elevators. By V. C. Van Horn. 



9. On the Flow of Water through Turbines and Sereiv Propellers. 



By Arthur Rigg. 



10. On the Ventilation of Ocean Steamships. 

 By A. Lapthorn Smith, B.A., M.D. 



Provided a passenger can remain on deck, the symptoms of sea-sickness gene- 

 rally pass off after a day or two, although the motion of the ship continues the 

 same, or even increases. Therefore the sea is not alone to blame for the malady. 

 Even a perfectly well person is apt to be attacked with nausea and vomiting, after 

 remaining for a few hours in the steerage of a ship just arriving from sea, although 

 the ship is quite motionless. A passenger steamer is the most difficult of all 

 dwellings to ventilate by natural means, on account of its construction. On the 

 other hand, prisons, asylums, and public buildings, although much better adapted 

 to natural ventilation than ships, have been proved, by experiments, to be incapable 

 of ventilation, except by artificial means. Moreover, the space at the disposal of 

 ocean travellers is exceedingly limited, only 72 cubic feet being allowed per adult. 

 In order to provide the smallest quantity of air consistent with health, the atmo- 

 sphere would have to be changed 43 times per hour, which is manifestly impossible 

 by natural means. A ship carrying 1,200 passengers requires 3,600,000 cubic feet 

 of air per hour delivered between decks, apart from the requirements of the 



