882 KEPOET— 1893. 



By using tubular strips of thin copper, not soldered or brazed along the edges, 

 the author was able to fix the ring-shaped separators in position by having them 

 made to fit tightly and forcing them over the tube, so that they were held by the 

 outward spring of the metal. 



He improved upon this method by making the inside or inner insulators to fit 

 lightly inside the tube, so that the insulators were held in position by their mutual 

 inward and outward pressure. 



He next subdivided the outer tube into two or more separate strips, kept apart 

 by projections on the insulators, so as to be able to run two or more circuits in one 

 tube, using the central wire as a common return. For fixing the insulators to 

 wires and strips two wires were passed through separate holes in insulators at 

 intervals, the wires being afterwards twisted to hold the insulators in position. 

 By employing a conductor or combination of conductors of non-circular section 

 and passing them through non-circular holes of suitable size made in the insulators, 

 and afterwards twisting the conductors, the insulators are fixed firmly in position. 

 In all cases other wires may be drawn through other holes to form leads or returns 

 for other circuits. Several circuits can thus be run in one tube, and a great deal 

 of jointing is thus done away with. For jointing the tubes L- and T-sbaped 

 castings or stampings are used, which can be fixed over or round the ends of the 

 tubes where they meet. 



The author and his coadjutors have also designed and used a large number of 

 junction-boxes made in parts and all interchangeable, so that they can be adapted 

 to work with the fittings — ceiling-roses, switches, &c. — in daily use. Rows of 

 lamps fixed on a tube and arranged on one or more circuits are convenient for 

 lighting shop windows and showrooms, and for the footlights on the stage. 



The tubes can be erected round the walls of a room like picture rods. 



As the temperature of the interiors of buildings is usually higher than that of 

 the air outside we do not meet with the fall in the insulation owing to condensa- 

 tion in the tubes, which is sometimes said to occur in underground conduits where 

 bare conductors are run on insulators. 



These conductors can be erected in hot places and in hot countries, where they 

 are exposed to the heat of the sun without any fear of damage to the insulation. 

 They are proof against the attacks of rats and mice when laid under floors, and if a 

 conduit becomes red-hot there is nothing that will catch fire. 



TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19. 

 The following Papers were read : — 



1. On Flashing Lights for LiglitJionses. By Q. T. Olsen. 



In the interest of the nautical world the author proposes a system for the im- 

 provement in the distinguishing characters of coast-lights and light-vessels through- 

 out the world. Admiral Colomb introduced a system of flashing numerals for 

 signalling over thirty years ago, which still remains open for the mercantile 

 marine to adopt ; Lord Kelvin investigated the lights of the coast some years ago, 

 with a view to making them known by flashing the International Code letters : 

 this has not been adopted, as the Morse code, which it would be necessary for 

 every mariner to learn and remember, is too complicated. The author proposes 

 that the numerals only should be used, and not the alphabet. 



(1) All the principal lighthouses and light-vessels throughout the world should 

 be arranged in numerical order, beginning with, say, the oldest or British lights. 

 Allot to each light a number, beginning with 1,000, so that no less than four 

 figures may be flashed, these numbers to be inserted in the Admiralty list of 

 lights, and copied into all charts, sailing directions, almanacs, &c. 



(2) Make each light flash its allotted number, and no other, by means of an 

 automatic apparatus or clockwork as in use at present. The shortest and easiest 



