82 
“ Mr. Nasmyth inquired whether chilled cast iron shot had 
been tried, the process of chilling cast iron was a very inex- 
pensive one ; and if chilling flat ended shot had not been 
tried, it was very desirable it should be. 
“The President (Mr. Fairbairn) said they had no practical 
experience in the matter; but he believed that the shot 
being chilled only to a certain extent they would find that 
the whole shot, having the same velocity when striking the 
object, would break, as if it had not been hardened at all. 
“Mr, Nasmyth : That is a mere matter of opinion. (Hear, 
hear.) Have you tried any experiments on the subject ? 
It would involve an expense of only some ten shillings. (A 
laugh.) 
“ The President : In order to gratify Mr. Nasmyth, I hope 
that before the next meeting of the British Association we 
shall have the matter proved experimentally. (Hear.)” 
Mr. Sidebotham, in conclusion, said he thought from the 
above it would be seen that their member, Mr. Nasmyth, 
ought to have the credit of the suggestion of elongated 
chilled iron shot and shell, in place of steel, rather than 
Major Palliser, whose experiments and publication dated 
nine months later. He regretted the absence of Mr. Fair- 
bairn from the meeting this evening, as he was the chairman 
of the meeting at Cambridge, and could have fully corrobo- 
rated all that had been said. 
“ On Casting, Grinding, and Polishing Specula for 
Reflecting Telescopes,” Part II., by James Nasmyth, Esq., 
C.E., Corresponding Member of the Society. 
In this part of his paper the author gives full details, illus- 
trated by diagrams, of the methods which after many years’ 
experience he has found to be best adapted for ensuring 
success in the fine-grinding and polishing of specula for 
reflecting telescopes. 
