The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-10
New HAVEN, Saturday, 81, AN.

i New HAVEN, Saturday, 81, AM.
| Professor DEWEY took the chair this morning, at
half-past nine o'clock. The minutes ofthe previous
DAVIS transactions were adopted.
| Professor SHEPARD proceeded to address the So
ciety on s'new locality of Meteoric Iron.'
| He was indebted for the information TO Lieut..
Flagg, of the navy, from whom he read letter, dat
ed November 18th, 1874. The locality is st. Angus
tines Bay, on the southwest coast of the Island Of
Madagascar. The writer of the letter having visited
this place, gave interesting account Of the appear
ance of the natives, through whom, having observed
| the prevalence of weapons OF iron among them, he
ascertaned the locality ofthe iron. Professor Shepard
observed that having procured spear-head used by
these people, he tested and found it be Of meeoric
iron, and gave detail of the analysis. II might be
doubted that such wonderful mass of meteoric
ron as is said to be in the locality under considera-
en, amounting to l6 feet in diameter existed whilst
the largest mass hitherto known to exist was one Of
10000 lbs.
Whatever there was incredible in the repre-
sentation, might be explained from the possibility of
not perfectly understanding the statements of the
tives in their little known tongue; at all events 1t
was certain that in whatever quantity it existed, it
was decidedly meteoric. The spear-head spoken
! Of was here handed round for examination.
After concluding this topic. the Speaker next adj
verted to his discovery OF a marine ANIMAL last win
ter, which he regarded the ancient sea hare.
Concerning this animal, variety OF curious state
ments were quoted from Pliny. the younger, IN
whose days the sea hare was considered one OF the
most noxious in creation. Here followed a technl-
cal description of the animal, OF which, before the
| discovery of this specimen, none was believed to
exist in After advertng to the classified,
| ton of Lamarc, French naturalist he observed
| that this specimen of the LepMs Marinns, did not
fully correspond with the description given by the
author quoted; it differed in many important points,
which he would point out to any gentleman who de-
sired it, In this state OF the case, he would call this
animal .Aplysia Caroliniand, being found on the
| Carolinian Coast. In reply to question OF MIR;
Redeld, ne gave 1t as his opnlon that this animal
as it was OF different kind from the animal found
| there.
The same gentleman then proceeded to make some
observations elastic sand stone Of which he presented
beautiful specimen, found in North Carolina. When
he first became possessed of it. he became impressed
tic sand stone of Brazil In the Of time he
happened to meet with German naturalist Of high rcpu
try exploring its mineralogy and geology to whom he
introduced the subject Mr. Won s. possession Of
NIT his views the substance to writing but promised
to write to Professor from Germany This he did and
in h ct ban ly % an
the authority Of German gentleman Of science named
Eckhardt that the same production found in the
gold region of the Ura well that Of Brazil from
all which circumstances, he professor 81 confirm
ed in the opinion that gold mine existed in North Ca
the finding Of gold in Lincoln County and other To-
caities In winding up his remarks the speaker init
mated his intention OF drawing up account OF the
Brazilian gold and Platinum region from excellent
work published in France by NJ Plessis, in 1870 as it
analogy between that and the region of North Carolina
Dr. JACKSON quoted very credible authority in sup
port Of the presence Of platina in North Carolina
Professor OIMsTEp spoke of specimen he had seen
and underworld to procure which was found in Lincoln
county, North Carolina.
1 tpfa al toc
gold discoveries in several parts of the Union
The following list of new members were proposed by
| the nominating committee and adopted Thomas Pea
body Esq; Henry Wheaton NJ. D.; Thomas Cole, Esq;
John f. Lee, ESQ., all Of Salem; Andrew Nichols NJ. d.;
Levi S &ooss%y
pcopsJ 0mS Gsorge Tharner Perkins
NJ G. WseSury
Lieutenant H. Flag United States Navy Edward X.
Dr. JACKSON addressed the society the sliceous
matter in plants with analysis Of the method of
moving it from the fbrous and cellular matter de-
tailed account of the process was given and the practical
benefits stated to be considerable aording means to
procure the pure brous vegetable matter Of plants fer
The same gentleman continued to give the result OF
his experiments " on the Rosendale New York, and
which it is made" In concluding detailed statement
of analysis he said that the presence Of potash soda
acid and manganese in these dement's hitherto
Professor ROGERS gave illustrated course of re.
marks on the changes Of the slate strata Of the Apaa-
chan range. This was pleasing discourse and was
| heard with great attention.
| Adjourned till o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
! THREE O'clock, Pm.
The President on taking his seat announced the first
business in order to be remarks the prevailing winds
! of North America"
| only an oral communication, but would read paper.
One ofthc greatest difficulties, and that which long de.
winds from all points Of the compass in circle Of
hundred miles diameter and the result of the
common mode Of calculation in pronouncng that the pre-
yalent wind which predomnated even slightly, regard
less Of the rest lie ofopnion that observations to
Ss apd %e as the
means this was at present hardly praccable yet what
he could do, we found worth attempting He then
various circular sections Of the earths surface whose
winds represented by shaded margin ola breadth
proportonae TO the prevalence of those winds These
were founded upon experiments made in 200 local-
ties in this country the British possessions, and the
West Indies. The winds of this country could be.
demonstrated to prevail very uniformly from lit
tie south Of n WestIany great variation from this di
conclusion thought the subject was not one that could
be investigated
The President said that gentlemen were aware of the
reports from the different Colleges of the State of New
York to the Regents from whom Mr. Coffin had procured
the results OF their experiments and he desir
Gus OF pursuing the investigation OF the winds.
Prof REpFELD acknowledged the importance Of OF
Mr. Collins distinctions and his claims credit for zeal
Of Mr. G. The track Of the indication
Its course He would shortly be prepared to give his
ouU miles DrOad passing
Central 1Amerca towards the island of Jamaica, and
thence to the Northern Atlantic.
Prof SHEPARD said that thanks due to Mr. Coffin
for his labors they frequently entertained by Mr.
Reded with oral communications this subject
thought it would be desirable that the gentlemen should
pursue their enquiries. In the meantime he to
speak Of the necessity for appointing committee to
range subjects for reports at their next annual meeting
Prof OLMsTED conceded in the suggestion and trusted
that the subject Of the winds would not be neglected
Prof sHIrAnp suggested that Prof Redfeld and Mr.
Coffn should pursue their observations in concert.
Mr. REprELD slightly differed from the last speaker
would be found much satisfactory to leave in the
hands Of an individual and there should be conflict
opinion, no compromise then the report would com.
mand justly morewcight.
The Society then, by vote, requested Mr.. Coffin to
carry out his observations Mr. Redfed having declined
Professor SLMAN. after few words highly comnli-