12 



The Secretary exhibited a round bar of cast phosphorus- 

 bronze, left for that purpose in his care by Mr. Hector Orr, 

 who reported it broken under a tensile strain of 63,000 lbs. 

 to the square inch. Its diameter at the place of fracture 

 was slightly diminished.* 



Mr. Marsh read a communication, illustrated by diagrams, 

 entitled, " The Luminosity of Meteors due to Latent Heat." 



Pending nominations I^Tos. 745 to 747, and new nomina- 

 tions 748, 749, were read. 



And the meeting was adjourned. 



Stated Meeting, March 20th, 1874. 



Present, 12 members. 



Vice-President, Mr. Fraley, in the Chair. 



A letter accepting membership was received from Dr. 

 Hermann Kolbe, dated Leii3sig, Feb. 16th, 1874. 



Letters acknowledging the receipt of Proceedings were 

 received from Dr. Renard and the Public Museum at Moscow, 

 June 26, 1672, Jan. 1, 1871 (86); Dr. Stralkowski, St. 

 Petersburgh, July 1st, 1872 (86) ; Prof. A. Braun, :tTeuschon- 

 bron, Berlin, Oct. 12th, 1873 (88, 89) ; the R. S. Upsal, Nov., 

 1873 (86, 87, 88, 89); the K H. S., Emden, Oct. 15, 1873 

 (88) ; Prof. Sandberger, 'Wiirtzburg, N"ov. 12th, 1873 (88, 

 89) ; the Mlinich Observatory, Dr. "W. V. Lament, Dec. 6, 

 1873 (88, 88) ; R. Library, Miinich, Jos. Aumer, Dec, 1873 

 (88, 89) ; R. Soc, Gottengen, Oct. 4th, 1873 (88, 89) ; N". H. 

 Ass., Bremen, Oct. 31, 1873 (88, 89); Prof. Loomis, K 

 Haven, March 14th, 1874 (90, 91) ; N. Y. Hist. Soc, G. H. 



* Original diameter of bolt (circular) .75 inch ; original area, .4417 in.; reduced area 

 at breaking point, .3067 in.; strain on bolt at breaking, 19,550 lbs. =63,100 lbs. per 

 square incli. Alloy of tin 10, copper 90, less phosphorus, which is found to give useful 

 properties within the limits of 2.6 and 0.1 per cent. 



