4$^8 



At the conclusion of the paper, a brief but interesting 

 discussion took place, arising out of some suggestions by 

 Mr. Morton. The first of these suggestions was very 

 important in its bearing upon the preservation of human 

 life, namely, — Whether it was not desirable that men con- 

 versant with the science of galvanism, (instancing Mr. 

 Ward in particular,) should direct their attention to ex- 

 periments to ascertain whether it would be possible to 

 produce light without flame, for use in coal mines. Another 

 suggestion had for its object the consideration of the pro- 

 priety of experiments directed especially to ascertain whether 

 it would be practicable and economical to apply galvanism to 

 motive forces and the raising of weights. 



The Noble Chairman remarked that the importance of 

 the former suggestion had been painfully impressed upon 

 the people of this part of England within the last few 

 months. 



Mr. Ward said his attention had been already in some 

 measure directed to the application of magnetism to the 

 purposes in question, and if it would be of any advantage 

 to the society, he should be glad to pursue his investiga- 

 tions further. The result of his experiments hitherto led 

 him to fear that, even if the instruments were perfect, 

 voltaic currents would be an expensive means of obtaining 

 mechanical power. With regard to lighting coal mines by 

 light without flame, he stated that a patent had some time 

 since been taken out with that view, but he expressed his 

 opinion that galvanism would be an inconvenient means of 

 effecting that object, it being necessarily attended with a 

 cumbersome apparatus. 



With regard to the application of galvanism to the electric 

 telegraph, (which formed the subject of another suggestion 

 from Mr. Morton) — 



Mr. Ward said that he should be glad, on a future 



