26 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 
[Biolog. 
arrangements, which, although complicated, are capable of accurately measur- 
ing the cubic amount of the gases which pass through, and it is so little apt 
to become deranged that it will often run for years without serious error. As 
the works of the dry metre are made by machinery, and the number manu- 
factured is enormous, the price is of necessity moderate, being from eight to 
ten dollars, or less than one half of the cost of the worst spirometer, made 
upon the ordinary plan, and many times less than that of the best of them. 
This new form of spirometer runs with so little friction that a pressure of l-8th 
of an inch of water will move it readily. One source of error is thus avoided, 
since if the instrument was difficult to move, the air blown into it would be 
more or less condensed, and so occupy less space than it ought to do. 
The number of cubic inches passed through this instrument is marked by 
hands upon a dial placed on top of the metre. After very careful testing, it 
was found to give extremely accurate indications. The size of the new spi- 
rometer is as follows : — Height 14 inches, width 11 inches. The inlet and 
outlet pipes form convenient handles. 
As the air from the lungs naturally deposits a certain amount of moisture 
in the metre, its escape is provided for by an aperture at the bottom, usually 
closed by a button. 
The committee to which was referred the Preliminary Report of Dr. S. Wiee 
Mitchell, relative to the plan by which he purposes obtaining the statistics of 
height, weight, &c., of the native born white race in North America, reported 
that upon full and attentive consideration it was the opinion of the com- 
mittee that the plan proposed by Dr. Mitchell, is such, that if followed out as 
indicated by him, it cannot fail to lead to results of the highest importance, 
not only in regard to the development and hygiene of the race in America, but 
to the solution of certain questions relative to mankind at large, of equal if 
not of greater consequence. The committee therefore suggested to the 
Department as a whole, and also to the individual members, the importance of 
aflording to Dr. Mitchell, and to those gentlemen whom he may associate with 
him in his inquiries, such assistance as may be in their power. 
This'committee had also referred to it resolutions giving authority to Dr. M. 
to use the name of the Department in his efforts to obtain the information he 
desires, and appropriating a sum not exceeding sixty dollars for the necessary 
expenses of his investigations. 
The first and second resolutions are so manifestly proper, that the committee 
deemed it unnecessary to urge them further. 
In relation to the third resolution, the committee desired to ofi'er a few rea- 
sons why it should be favorably considered and acted upon by the Depart- 
ment. 
In the first place the subject to which Dr. M.'s inquiries relate, is one assigned 
to him in the report of the General Committee, and therefore not selected by 
him for voluntary investigation. There is accordingly an obvious propriety, 
aside from any other reason, in the Department defraying such necessary and 
moderate expenses as may be incurred. 
2d. In order to do full justice to the subject it is essential that numerous 
circulars, blanks, &c., should be printed and distributed, and that occasionally 
small sums of money should be given to persons who may have rendered valu- 
able assistance. These are expenses probably not incidental to any other sub- 
ject proposed by the Greneral Committee, and it would be just as proper that 
the Recorder should be at the expense of the blanks, circulars, &c., used by 
him for the Department as that Dr. M. should furnish those required for the 
performance of the duty assigned to him. 
Such necessary apparatus as may be required should also be furnished by 
the Department. This will of course remain the property of the Department, 
and may be used in future researches. 
[Dec. 
