277 



The persons proposed for resident membership at the last 

 meeting, viz., M. K. Bright and A. K. Shepard, were elected^ 

 Dr. P. P. Carpenter was also elected a corresponding mem- 

 ber. 



Under proposition of members, Mr. Gavit presented the 

 names of Geo. P. Jackson and L. A. Orcutt as members. 



The president then proceeded to give some reminiscences 

 of a journey undertaken by himself and party from Jerusa- 

 lem to the Dead Sea. Dr. Thompson, M. Aiken and Mr. 

 Jessup, American missionaries in Syria, accompanied the 

 party. 



Mr. Pruyn described his visit to the Church of the 

 Nativity at Bethlehem, to the Cave of Adullam, and the 

 Monastery at Santa Laba ; presenting extracts and engrav- 

 ing from the work of Stanley in illustration of his subject. 

 He then described the visit of the party to the Dead Sea, 

 and the River Jordan, the danger of attacks to which they 

 were exposed, and their return to Jerusalem. 



After some remarks by Mr. Homes upon the comparative 

 security of life in Syria and other countries, the Institute 

 took a recess. 



After which a donation of an elegantly printed pamphlet 

 on the Attack at Hatfield and Deerfield, from Dr. Hough, 

 was announced. 



Mr. Carroll communicated to the Institute a novel method 

 of propelling canal boats, which had recently been intro- 

 duced on some of the canals in England. It consists in 

 passing an endless chain over the entire length of the boat, 

 dropping it upon the ground at the prow and lifting it again 

 at the stern. The chain passes around a cylinder on the 

 boat, which is made to revolve by means of a steam engine. 

 The inertia of the chain on the bottom of the canal causes 

 the boat to move forward. So far as practically tested, the 

 method has succeeded beyond expectation. 



After some conversation in regard to the subject, the In- 

 stitute adjourned. 



[Trans, iv.] 37 



