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advantage, as a wire rope of half the weight of a hempen 
one would bear an equal or somewhat greater strain. 
Mr. Hartop observed that there was a great advantage in 
having a flat rope, whether of hemp or of wire, if it passed 
over a drum of large dimensions. He was disposed to think 
that they would be improved by having a greater weight of 
iron in them. 
Dr. Holland inquired from what cause the wire rope 
had failed — whether it was from being previously oxidated 
or from friction ? 
Mr. Morton replied that it had failed under various 
circumstances; but in one particular instance which he re- 
collected, the failure arose, first, from the smallness of the 
wires, and from their being oxidated throughout ; and 
second, that the rope had been put over a drum of too 
small diameter, which ouo^ht not to be less than ten feet. 
With respect to the cost of wire rope, he believed it would 
cost less than those made of hemp. Mr. Hartop w^as of 
opinion that the wire rope wanted more iron in its compo- 
sition, but he (Mr. Morton) thought it remained to be 
proved whether it did not possess enough already. Wire 
rope was recommended for its lightness, and if a large 
quantity of iron was introduced, it w^ould not only increase 
the weight, but the cost also. 
Dr. Holland inquired if any gentleman had made any 
experiments to ascertain the electricity evolved in the working 
of wire ropes. This was a principle of great importance, 
and might, if understood, throw much light upon the cause 
of failure in such ropes. The process was a chemical one, 
and it would depend on the amount of friction which the 
rope underwent, and the moisture to which it was subjected 
by alternation from a moist to a dry atmosphere. 
Mr. Morton said he had not heard of any experiments 
having been instituted ; but he conceived that very intense 
