On Ciipellation. 321 



Various appropriations were voted for the prosecution of scien- 

 tific investigation, viz. 



To the Physical Section, - - - £2263. id 



Chemical " ... 150.00 



Geological " ... 325.00 



Zoological and Botanical, - - 6.00 



Medical, .... 100.00 



Statistical, - - - - 300.00 



Mechanical, - - - - 598.00 



£3742.10 



The principal recommendations not involving grants of money 

 were — that Prof. A. D. Bache should '^be requested to report on 

 the meteorology of the United States: — that Prof Johnston 

 should report on the connexion of Geology and Chemistry : — that 

 the Council should prepare a general report on the progress of Ge- 

 ology : — that J. E. Gray, Esq. should prepare a report on British 

 molluscous animals and their shells: — that P. J. Selby; Esq. 

 should prepare a report on British Ornithology : — that Dr. J'orbes 

 should report on the Pulmoniferous moUusca of Great Britain ; 

 and that Prof Faraday, aided by a Committee, should report on 

 the specific gravity of steam. In addition to these, many resolu- 

 tions were passed, involving applications to the government and 

 other public bodies j and various scientific researches were also 

 recommended. - 



Art. IX. — On Cupellation, an easy^ an acaiirate. and new 

 method; by W. W. Mather, Mining Engineer, and Geologist. 



TO PKOF. SILLIBIAN. 



Dear Sir — My duties as mining engineer, metallurgist, and 

 geologist, have frequently rendered it necessary to assay lead and 

 other ores for silver and gold. As I could not procure a good 

 cupelling furnace with muffles, &c., and as it was frequently de- 

 sirable to ascertain on the spot, whether certain ores contained 

 the precious metals, I have thought of other means of cupellation, 

 and have succeeded in one which can be applied at any place 

 where a candle, a common mouth blowpipe, and a slip of mica 

 can be procured. It is a method which I have employed for 



Vol. XXXV.— No. 2. 41 



