68 Proceedings of the British Association. 



a similar process, was rusted to the centre. Having enumerated 

 the facts respecting the trials to which he had subjected this cu- m 

 rious material, Capt. J. stated the conclusion that he had come 

 to, viz. that it is sufficiently tough not to break, and hard enough 

 not to bend, under the trials to which it would he fairly exposed : 

 and that being alike free from magnetic properties and liability to 

 oxidation from exposure to the air, it possesses the qualities requi- 

 site for the pivot of the mariner's compass : and he anticipated 

 that when fitted with a ruby cap to correspond, it would be found 

 greatly to improve the working. Besides the use of this sub- 

 stance for compass pivots, Capt. J. stated that it might probably 

 be found advantageous for other instruments, and especially for the 

 points of the axes of the dipping needles, fitted on Mr. Fox's plan, 

 for use on shipboard. — Mr. Hawkins has used this native alloy for 

 several years in tipping the points of pens, and not a single in- 

 stance exists in which any of these pens shows the least symp- 

 tom of wear. He tried native alloy on a cap, in comparison with 

 ruby, when he found that in the same circumstances, the ruby 

 was ground away with diamond dust twice as rapidly as the na- 

 tive alloy. He had made engravers' tools of the same metal, and 

 when made too sharp they cannot be blunted on the Turkey 

 stone, but only by diamond dust. 

 The following papers were also read. 



On safety-valves for steam-boilers; by iMr. Galline. 



On wheels of Locomotive engines ; by Mr. Grime. 



Oh the temperature of most effective condensation in steam vessels; by J. Scott 

 Russell. 



On warming and ventilating buildings; by Mr. Ritchie. 



On timber bridges of a large size, in special reference to Railways; by Mr. 

 Vignoles. 



Experimental inquiry into the strength of iron, with respect to its application as 

 a substitute for wood in ship-building ; by Mr. Fairbairn. 



On raising water from low lands; by Mr. Fairbairn. 



Additional notice concerning the most economical and effective proportion of 

 engine power to the tonnage of the hull in steam vessels, and more especially in 

 those designed for long voyages; by J. Scott Russell. 



On the action of air and water on iron ; by Mr. Mallet. 



On the turbine water-wheel ; by Prof Gordon. 



On producing true planes or surfaces on metals ; by Mr. Jos. Whitworth. 



Report of the Committee on the best form of Vessels. 



On the economy of railways in respect of gradients; by Mr. Vignoles. 



On the fan-blast as applied to furnaces; by Mr. Fairbairn. 



On new rain-gauges; by Jas. Johnston, and also by Mr. Thom. 



On a Revolving Balance ; by Mr. Lothian. 



On the combustion of coal and the prevention of the generation of smoke in 

 furnaces ; by Mr. Williams. 



