Navigation, including the application of Steam Power to Canal Traffic,-Canal Locks, Inclines, and Lifts,-Application of Hydraulic Power for Lifts for Domestic Use,-for Cranes, Printing Presses, Organ-Blowing, and other similar purposes, where small Propelling Power is required, -Labour-saving Machines for working in Wood,-in Tools, Implements, and Apparatus for the various Trades,-in Bricks, Encaustic Tiles, Cements and Mortars,-in Printing Machines, Cases, and Rollers,-in Stereotyping,—in Cranes, in the Machinery for Collieries,-in preserving Timber and Metals in Marine Works,-in Optical Apparatus for Astronomy, Surveying, and Levelling,-in Manufacture of Paper.-Experiments on the Effect of Low Temperatures on Metals. 2. Chemical Arts. INVENTIONS OF IMPROVEMENTS in new and useful applications of Gutta Percha and Vulcanised India Rubber, or similar Gums, in the Economical Extraction of Chemical Principles or Useful Substances, as Paraffine, &c., from Coal,-Porcelain Clay from Granite or Felspar,-and Metals generally from their Ores and Oxides,-in Dyes,-in Paints,-in Paper,in Glass, especially for Lenses,-in methods of rendering the Electric Light available in practice. 3. Relative to the Fine Arts. INVENTIONS OF IMPROVEMENTS in Photographic processes, in "Carbon" Printing, and in Methods of Printing Photographs from their Impressions on Steel or Copper Plates, or Lithographic Stones,-in Electrotype processes,-in Die-Sinking, -in methods of illustrating Books, to be printed with the letterpress,-in Paper-Hangings,-in Articles of Porcelain, Common Clay, or Metal,—in Glass-Staining,-in Engraving on Stone,―in Chromo-Lithography,—in "Nature" Printing. 4. Natural Productions. DISCOVERY Of Plumbago Mines,-Whetstones,-of Woods suitable for Engraving. II. EXPERIMENTS applicable to the Useful Arts. III. COMMUNICATIONS of Processes in the Useful Arts practised in this or other Countries, but not generally known. IV. PRACTICAL DETAILS of Public or other Undertakings of National importance, already executed, but not previously published;or valuable suggestions for originating such undertakings. The KEITH PRIZE, value Thirty Sovereigns. For some important" Invention, Improvement, or Discovery, in the Useful Arts, which shall be primarily submitted to the Society" during the Session. The HEPBURN BIENNIAL PRIZE, value about £12. (If not awarded during Session 1864–65.) "For such Inventions or Communications submitted to the Society as shall be approved of by the Society, or by their Prize-Committee." The MAKDOUGALL-BRISBANE BIENNIAL PRIZE, value £10. (If not awarded during Session 1864–65.) "To the Authors or Inventors of Communications of Merit, which shall be approved of by the Society, or its Committee, and judged by them deserving of such distinction." The REID and AULD PRIZES. For the First, Second, and Third best Models of " Anything New in the Art of Clock or Watch Making,-by Journeymen or Master Watch and Clock Makers,"—if these should be considered worthy of Prizes, the Year's Interest of the Reid and Auld Bequest, being about SEVEN GUINEAS, divided among them in such proportions as the Prize Committee shall fix, according to merit. To such as deserve it, the Society may add to the amount of the Prize out of its general funds. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING AND LODGING COMMUNICATIONS. Communications lodged in competition for Prizes shall not have been patented, nor previously published, nor read before any other Society. Patented articles may, however, be exhibited and described. The descriptions of the various inventions, &c., must be full and distinct;-be legibly written on Foolscap paper, leaving margins at least one inch and a half broad, on both sides of each page, so as to allow of their being bound up in volumes; and, when necessary, be accompanied by Specimens, Drawings, or Models. All Drawings to be on Imperial Drawing-Paper, unless a larger sheet be requisite. The Drawings to be in bold lines, not less than a quarter of an inch broad, or strongly coloured, so as to be easily seen at about the distance of thirty feet when hung up in the Hall, and the Letters or Figures of Reference to be at least 1 inch long. When necessary, smaller and more minutely detailed Drawings should accompany the larger ones, for the use of the Committees, having the same letters of reference. Short abstracts must accompany the papers. The Society shall be at liberty to publish in their Transactions copies or abstracts of all papers submitted to them. All Models, Drawings, &c., for which Prizes are given, shall be held to be the property of the Society; but the Value of the Model, if retained, will be separately allowed for. Communications, Models, &c., are to be addressed to the SECRETARY, Chambers, 5 Hill Street, Edinburgh, Postage or Carriage paid; and should be lodged on or before 1st October 1865, in order to insure their being read and reported on during the Session (the ordinary Meetings of which commence in November 1865, and end in April 1866); but those which cannot be lodged earlier will be received up to 1st April 1866. If lodged after that date, they may not be read or reported on till the following Session. Notice as to the Special Prize offered by Messrs Cowan & Sons. By the liberality of Charles Cowan, Esq., of Loganhouse, the President, and his Partners, the Council are enabled to offer a prize of Fifty Sovereigns, with the Society's Silver Medal, for the best Communication, if otherwise approved, on the Purifying of Water which has been used in the manufacture of paper. The processes presently employed may shortly be stated to be1. The Washing of "filthy rags," and other fibrous materials, for which a large quantity of pure water is requisite. 2. The Boiling of such materials in an Alkaline Solution and the Washing of the contents of the Kiers or Boilers in which the Boiling operations have been conducted. And 3. The Steeping of the Half Stuff in Chests in a solution of Chloride of Lime, and the Washing of the partially exhausted Bleaching Agent from the Half Stuff. Intending Competitors are requested to keep especially in view the circumstances in which the paper manufacture is carried on on the banks of the North Esk, in the county of Edinburgh. The merits of any suggestions which may be submitted will be regarded as being of greater value:— 1. By these being effected at moderate expense, and by their being applicable with as little interference as possible with the existing plant and mode of manufacture. And 2. By any substances, whether in suspension or solution, hitherto carried off in the stream, being demonstrated in practice, and by simple means, to be capable of imparting fertility to arable or pasture land, or of being profitably applied otherwise. Further information may be obtained by intending Competitors from Messrs Cowan and Sons, Valleyfield, Pennycuick ;-or from Mr Cowan at No. 9 Princes Street, Edinburgh, on Wednesdays, between the hours of 11 and 12 noon, until the end of July next. The Papers for Competition must be lodged with the Secretary to the Society (free) on or before 1st September next. No address must be given, but each paper must be distinguished by a motto, and along therewith a Sealed Envelope bearing the same motto, and containing the name and designation of the writer, must also be lodged. The determination of the Prize will be entrusted to the PrizeCommittee of the Society for Session 1864-65, assisted by one practical gentleman, to be named by Messrs Cowan. When the Adjudicators have fixed on the best Communication, the packet bearing the corresponding motto will be opened by the Committee, and the name of the successful Competitor be announced in the Report of the Prize Committee to the Society at the first Meeting in November 1865, when the Prize will be delivered. The unsuccessful Communications will be returned on application to the Secretary by duly authorised parties. It is to be understood that the Society shall be entitled to print the successful Communication in its Transactions, in whole or in part. By order of the Society. EDINBURGH, 14th April 1865. * JOHN BEATSON BELL, Secretary. *Copies of the List of Prize Subjects for distribution may be had from the Secretary. APPENDIX (C.) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF ARTS TO AWARD THE PRIZES FOR COMMUNICATIONS LAID BEFORE THE SOCIETY DURING SESSION 1864-65, AND ALSO TO ADJUDICATE ON THE SPECIAL PRIZE OF £50 OFFERED The COMMITTEE having met, and carefully considered the various Communications submitted to the Society and reported on during the Session 1864-65, beg to report that they have awarded the following Prizes: 1. To THOMAS STRETHILL WRIGHT, M.D., F.R.C.P., &c.,-for his Exposition of the late Researches on the CohesionFigures of Liquids,-given, and illustrated by means of the oxyhydrogen light, 12th December 1864. The Society's Silver Medal. (4110.) 2. TO JAMES KERR, Assistant to Messrs Herbertson and Son, Builders, Galashiels,-for his Description of a Commode suitable for Sick-Rooms, &c,-read, and Commode with relative drawings exhibited, 23d January 1865. (4113.) The Society's Silver Medal. VOL. VII.APP. i |