146 



surface, but in the interior, when cut. Its mechanical execution is 

 such as to pi-esent no fault to an ordinary observer, even with the 

 aid of a glass. 



The only process, short of actual assay, by which it can be detect- 

 ed, is a trial of its specific gravity. A genuine sovereign of the same 

 colour, would show a specific gravity of about 17.70 ; the piece in 

 question gives but 16.22. 



On assay it was shown to be composed as follows : — 



Gold, 803 thousandths. 



Silver, 122 „ 



Copper, 75 „ 



1000 



Such an alloy should show the specific gravity above, or very 

 nearly, according to the printed tables prepared at the Mint, by the 

 Assayers, Messrs. Eckfeldt and Du Bois. 



The value of the piece is $4.26 ; that of the sovereign of full weight 

 $4.86; making a profit on each piece of 60 cents, or about 14 per 

 cent. Counterfeiters are rarely contented with so small a gain, and 

 their fraud is therefore more easily detected. In the present case, 

 the smallness of the profit in the individual piece, gives reason to ap- 

 prehend that the roguery is to be made available by a grand opera- 

 tion, and that many such counterfeits may be already abroad. 



Dr. Dunglison announced that the Secretaries had appointed 

 him as Corresponding Secretary, and Prof. Frazer as Reporter, 

 for the present year. 



Dr. Patterson, on the part of the Committee appointed at the 

 last stated meeting, to meet a Committee of the Athenseum, 

 made a report, and offered the following resolution. 



Resolved, That the proposal from the Athenaeum, for the 

 erection on the lot now occupied by the Society's hall, of a 

 new building for the accommodation of the two Institutions, is 

 deemed by the Society to be inexpedient, and that it be there- 

 fore respectfully declined. 



The resolution was adopted, and the Committee was dis- 

 charged. 



