1G6 Proceedings. 



tlie continuaaiee of such rain, the measure in square feet of the surface, for whicit 

 it subserved the purpose of a main drain. Sir "WiUiam observed the height of the 

 water in the rivulet diu'ing the flood when unimpeded, and has had levels and 

 measurements taken at two points since, the mean of which has been used to 

 determine the velocity and rate of discharge during the flood, — the former having 

 been 14"3 feet per second a Uttle above Wellington Bridge, and 9'6 feet per 

 second near the bridge at Campbell-street ; but His Excellency does not consider 

 the results now obtained as more than an approximation, and thinks it highly 

 desirable that a series of experiments should be made in the course of the ensuing 

 winter to determine the area and rate of discharge with precision, and suggests, as 

 deserving of consideration, the adoption of means for intercepting dxiriag winter a 

 large portion of the water which would otherwise be forced through the town 

 rivulet, and " retaining it for the use of the inhabitants during the dry summer 

 months ;" and adds, " were a scheme of this kind carried out with judgment and 

 boldness, it would not only relieve the lower parts of the town from the risk of 

 being flooded, but would afford an ample supply of water, available at all times for 

 the extinction of fires, as well as for the more ordinary purposes of domestic 

 economy." 



Mr. Knburn submitted for inspection by members a few well-executed and care- 

 fully coloured Daguerreotype portraits, groups and landscapes, prepared by him- 

 self with two lenses set at some distance apart (angle not determined), in order to 

 adapt them for exhibition in the Stereoscope, which ]Mr. Kilburn produced for the 

 purpose. One group, in which the prominent figure is a handsome bay pony, the 

 property of Sir WOHam Denison, was particularly admired, equally for the life- 

 like fidelity of its iine proportions, obtained by great accm'acy of focal arrangements, 

 as for the beautiful and brOhant touch of natural colour thrown over it. 



A lengthened discussion ensued upon the great advantages which wotJd accrue 

 to natural science from the discovery of a cheap mode of applying photography to 

 the representation of nice organisms in botany, &e., and upon the principles and 

 practical details of the production of binocular photographic pictures, when Mr. 

 E.Ubum gave the results of his own experience, and made observations on the art 

 of taking impressions on glass, on the chemicals requisite in each case, and their 

 imperfections, on the lumiaous and chemical rays of light, and the difficulties to be 

 overcome in regard to solarization, focal arrangements, &c. 



A paper on the Trigonometrical Survey of the island was laid on the table to be 

 read at next meeting. 



About ten o'clock, the thanks of the Society having been voted for papers and 

 other contributions, the President left the chair, and the meeting, which was 

 numerously attended, broke up soon after. 



