110 
was the principal aim of scientific research. Upon the 
second subject, Dia-Magnetism, which might be considered 
in its infancy, much highly interesting and novel information 
might be expected. 
The following gentlemen were proposed as Members of 
the Society : — 
Dr. Paley, of Halifax. 
Thomas Hodgson, Esq., of Halifax. 
J. W. Child, Esq., of Halifax. 
Mr. Thomas J. Pearsall, Agent to the Yorkshire Union 
of Mechanics' Institutes, Leeds. 
The Chairman then called upon Mr. Dresser to read the 
first paper — 
ON A NEW AND CHEAP VOLTAIC BATTERY FOR THE 
PRODUCTION OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT. BY MR. 
CHRISTOPHER LEEFE DRESSER, OF LEEDS* 
Mr. Dresser described the different voltaic batteries pre- 
viously in use, and the circumstances which led to the 
discovery of the suitability of gas carbon for voltaic pur- 
poses, and then proceeded with the following description of 
the peculiar substance used in his battery. 
In the retorts used for the destructive distillation of coal 
to form carburetted hydrogen gas for illumination, after a 
certain period a deposit of a carbonaceous nature is formed 
on the iron, and, once commenced, proceeds with great 
rapidity, accumulating to such an extent as to close up 
part of the retort, and line the whole with a coating 
varying in thickness from that of writing paper to several 
inches. This carbonaceous matter, though a good con- 
ductor of heat, is not so good as the iron of the retort, 
consequently the process of distillation is impeded, and the 
waste of the heating power becomes at length so great as 
* The author will be happy to furnish the carbon, or in any way aid any one 
who may be inclined to repeat his experiments. 
