TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 635 
_. The result of the experiences of the last twenty-five years seems, therefore, to 
‘point to the conclusion that the method of constructing Alpine railways with long, 
non-paying tunnels is a thing of the past. The future belongs to the best system 
that can be devised for overcoming the difficulties of trans-Alpine railways, rather 
by adding to the powers of the locomotive engine, and by other mechanical ap- 
-pliances for reducing the cost of traction on steep inclines, which methods are 
capable of indefinite improvement, than by burying in gigantic tunnels enormous 
sums of unproductive capital that, when once expended, are irrecoverably lost." 
5. The Injector Hydrant for Fire Extinetion.? 
By J. H. Greatuean, M. Inst.0.H. 
It is calculated that the fire loss in the Metropolis last year exceeded two and 
a quarter million sterling, equal to eighteen pence in the pound on the present 
annual rateable value of property, and that of this sum probably at least one million 
would have been saved by a system of hydrants with adequate water-supply, such 
as those which have existed for many years in Liverpool, Manchester, and 
Glasgow. 
The water supply of London, however, although satisfactory as to quantity, 
“has not sufficient pressure for hydrant purposes, and from the fact that the supply 
has to be pumped up from a low level, instead of coming by gravitation from high 
sources, as in the towns referred to, it is impossible without enormous expenditure 
to adapt it for hydrants. 
Proposals have been made from time to time for improving the supply or for 
introducing separate supplies for fire-extinction, but these have been objected to 
on account of the great cost involved or for other reasons. 
At present the requisite pressure for jets is given by the pumps of fire-engines. 
Where, however, efficiency depends upon the power being available on the instant 
that the occasion for its use is discovered, this mode of supplying it is eminently 
unsuitable. 
Sir William Armstrong’s accumulator system of hydraulic power, generally in 
use at the docks and goods termini, requires no description. In connection with 
the injector hydrant it has been found to be specially applicable to the production 
“of jets of water for fire-extinction in cases where the ordinary supply has not 
sufficient pressure for the purpose. Applied to the Metropolis generally in the same 
way, it would furnish a complete and efficient system of fire-hydrants, without im- 
posing upon the ratepayers any additional burden, and if the hydraulic power were 
applied to commercial purposes, there would result a considerable gain to them. 
' The system can be introduced at once, either generally or locally, because it is 
not dependent on any question of improved water-supply, and would interfere 
with no rights or interests. 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21. 
The PresipEnr delivered the following Address :— 
Tus British Association for the Advancement of Science admits to its annual 
gathering women as well as men; and I venture to think it does so wisely. Women 
now take their place regularly in the ranks of several scientific professions; and though 
they have not shown any desire to enter that to which I belong, there has recently 
been an example of their capability in that direction, which is noteworthy. It has 
‘been publicly stated that Col. Roebling, the distinguished engineer of the Brooklyn 
suspension bridge, which is one of the most remarkable works of the age, was 
1 Published in: extenso by the author in Southport. 
2 Published in extcnso in Tren, October 19; 1883. 
