CONVERSAZIONE. 
685 
A “ Palinurus,” for determining the deviation of iron ships’ compasses, was 
exhibited by Mr. W. F. Reynolds : a model of Manbre’s “ Convertor,” used 
in the manufacture of glucose (the starchy matter mixed with three per cent, 
of sulphuric acid is exposed in this convertor to a pressure of 90 lb. of steam, 
whereby the whole of the starch is in half an hour converted into glucose, 
and no intermediate products are left) ; a specimen of glucose; a sectional 
model of Allibon and Manbre’s steam boiler (this boiler gives twice the heat¬ 
ing surface of the best form of Cornish boiler, and evaporates 12 lbs. of water 
for every pound of coal) ; specimens of Sterne’s springs and buffers, illus¬ 
trating the attachment of india-rubber to iron and steel (the rubber is united 
to the metal by chemical means); a specimen of metallic junction belting for 
driving heavy machinery ; a specimen showing the fracture of india-rubber 
united to steel under a strain of 2782 lbs. ; and specimens of Pavy’s paper of 
mixed vegetable and animal materials, applied to furniture hangings, gar¬ 
ments, and table-covers, etc. ; by Mr. W. T. Fewtrell. 
An extremely simple but very effective apparatus for disinfecting hospital 
wards, etc., w-as shown in action, by Mr. Tustin, of the London Hospital: a 
cleverly- designed plaster-spreading apparatus, in operation ; by Mr. Martin- 
dale, of University College Hospital: Bushby’s pill machine ; by Messrs. 
Bailey and Co., of Salford : two materia medica cabinets ; by Messrs. Evans, 
Lescher, and Evans : improved soda-water apparatus in action; by Messrs. 
Dows, Clark, and Van Winkle, and Messrs. Eugene Geraut and Co. (both 
firms alfording visitors the opportunity of satisfying themselves of the 
excellent quality of the product) : some casks prepared by Scally’s patent 
paraffin process ; by Messrs. Coleman and Co. : Atlee’s patent taps; Bourne’s 
patent vent-valves for casks and jars ; a stone jar fitted with same for liquids 
of any kind; an improved oil can with tap and vent-valve for petroleum and 
other oils ; and a specimen of Kendall’s bisulphite of lime for the preservation 
of meat, vegetables, etc., and for the prevention of fermentation, growth of 
mould, etc.; by Messrs. Wheeler and Croucher : and a handsome mahogany 
counter; some specimens of drawers and glass cases ; and a sponge case of 
new design ; by Mr. Kidston. 
In the lecture theatre Professor Tomlinson demonstrated the influence of 
clean and dirty surfaces on crystallization, ebullition, and distillation ; while, 
at an earlier hour, the same apartment was devoted to an exhibition, by Mr. 
Martin, of the London Stereoscopic Company, of some beautiful photographs 
of Abyssinia ; the exhibition being designed to illustrate the application of 
the oxy-hydrogen dissolving-view apparatus to lecture illustration. 
Mr. Waddington exhibited on the screen some remarkably large specimens 
of the fat acids mounted as polariscope objects; and Mr. How showed a number 
of photographs of microscopic objects, by Dr. Maddox; some beautiful photo¬ 
graphs of British scenery, comprising views in England, Wales, and Scot¬ 
land ; and several new effects obtained with the polariscope and the kaleido¬ 
scope. 
Woodbury’s photo-relief printing process was exhibited in operation by the 
Photo-Belief Printing Company, Limited, and many were enabled to take 
away with them tangible evidence of the beauty of the results obtained. 
In one of the upper rooms Bunsen’s modification of the Sprengel air-pump 
for filtration and evaporation in vacuo (described at p. 596 of the present 
volume of this Journal) was shown in operation ; while in another apartment 
an exhibition of vacuum tubes and induction apparatus was conducted by Mr. 
Apps ; and the phosphorescent butterfly was shown by Messrs. Murray and 
Heath, by the aid of the magnesium light. 
The Council Boom was as usual devoted to the exhibition of a large number 
of living medical and economic plants, from the Boyal Botanic Society’s 
