1839.] Memorandum of Experiments, $c. 863 



succeed effectually in salt water also. Nay, even naked wires after 

 having been used for about an hour as conductors in salt water are, I 

 find, protected or insulated by the coat of oxychloride of copper, which 

 forms on the positive wire. 



In subsequent experiments I would recommend a copper or sheet- 

 iron, water-tight, tube to be soldered round the internal orifice of the 

 screw plate into which the explosion tube is inserted (see fig. 10 c, c, c,) 

 This would constitute a separate compartment in the mine or cylinder, 

 and in the event of leakage, that portion only of the powder could be 

 spoiled contained within this tube. This alteration I have taken the 

 liberty of recommending to Captain Fitzgerald and Lieut. Smith, the 

 engineer officers employed in these operations. 



Lastly, were I again to undertake the destruction of a wreck, I 

 would employ cork conductors secured from the mine to a buoy, and 

 from this I would float 100 yards of conductors to a boat containing 

 the battery and the mercurial discharger. At such a distance I have 

 little doubt but that the whole apparatus, battery, boat, &c. would 

 escape unharmed. 



Calcutta, 20th January, 1840. 



Art. VIII. — Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 



( Wednesday Evening, the <ith December, 1839.) 



The Honorable Sir E. Ryan, President, in the chair. 



The Proceedings of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. 



Captain F. W. Birch, proposed at the last Meeting, was balloted for and duly 

 elected a Member of the Society. 



His Excellency Sir Jasper Nicolls, Commander-in-Chief, was proposed by the 

 President, seconded by Colonel D. Macleod. 



Maharajah Rahamut Ali Khan, Bahadur, was proposed by H. T. Prinsep, 

 Esq, seconded by the Secretary. 



Read a letter from Sir G. C. Haughton, acknowledging his election as an honor- 

 ary Member. 



To the Secretary of the Asiatic Society. 



14 Grafton Street, Bond Street, London, 18th July, 1839. 

 Sir,— I beg you will present my best respects to the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, 

 and express to them how much I feel honored by the distinction they have conferred 

 upon me in making me an honorary member of their Society. I am happy that any 



