The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-02
Association of American Biologists and
Naturallstss


To-day, at hafpast o'clock, P M, commenced
the sixth session Of the Association OF American
Geoogists and Naturaliss. Its Fl rst meeting was
held in the rooms OF the Franklin institute, Phla-
dephia, on the I'd April, 1870; the second in the
rooms of the Acadamy OF Natural Sciences, in the
same city, in April, 1871; the third convention
took place in Boston, on the 18th April, 1872, when
it was literally resolved, "That all those gentle
men, whether OF this or any other country, who are
interested in geology and the allied branches OF
science, and who may be present on this occasion,
be invited to unite with the association during It's
session." The fifth session was held in Washing
ton. in the second week in May, 1874, and on ad-
iourning the place selected for the annual assembly
this year was New Haven.
If science loves contemplation, quieude, and re-
pose this place must be eminently fitted tor he
scene of the enquiries OF these learned men. For
city OF sixty thousand inhabitanfs-an old and
celebrated city-a city in the season OF blossoms
it is extremely dull The quantity OF dust on some
of the streets is most formidable, and contributes
to the sombre aspect OF all creation here. Perhaps
| the weather has something to 40 with all THIS; It
| is of a completely nondescrpt character. 1t is
neither cold nor hot; yet II Is both. From the sun
TO the shade brings you from the tropics decidedly
north of the temperate zone It IS blessed thing
be able to blow hot and colo IN New Haven Just
now.
This being the first day of the session, the most
of the business was of preliminary character, and
of less import than the residue will be. Were this
not So would abstain from all extraneous topics,
and 90 on to the proceedings at once. AT present,
will merely add, that the objects OF this society
are purely scientific. 1t differs great deal in this
respect from almost every other body processing
similar objects in this country. Ii seeks to pro-
mote an intimate cooperation and confidential In
tercourse between persons separated by space, but
who, in common love OF science, the study OF
the physical laws of nature, and particularly
tar
and appropriated in mind. The transactions OF
the society have hardly hitherto gone beyond their
assembly room-conslstlng OF oral ana written
communications from the members. A handsome
volume has been published, containing the result
of the first four sessions and brochure cmbodyine
last years proceedings. has Just made Its appear
/ in the several large towns of the Union is good
one and perhaps the hint was borrowed from the
British Association. 1t is ncalcuable the benefits
that might flow from the abors of this association,
II thew are we'll directed Geology is emphatically
the most important, pregnant, and attractive study
for this age. Natural and revealed religion, the
history of the past and the destiny OF future ages,
are wound up in It, All these are to be yet-and that
before long-unfolded whenever it is, ii must be
by practical men. 1t is satisfactory to know, that
this association contemplate instiung Inquiry, by
means of committees, into special and particular
subjects, and publishing reports thereon; and yet,
all the advantage capable of being derived from
tis mode Of action, can hardly be expected, tor
want OF sufficiency Of funds, with which hardly
The Convention meets in a building behind the
College; most seque stored spot. i looks like
passable country school house, affords seats Tor
| two or three hundred, and nothing OF decoration
or display to attract the eyes OF the terati from
their geological gyratlons, and snbterranean re-
searches. To day, will say nothing OF the aggfe-
gate; but think | could have counted the au-
dience, had tried; this ! did not attempt, as the
whole forces have not yet arrived. Those who
have, are comprised in the annexed list -
Z. Tesshemascher, Boston; Or Barral, MidSet,wD'
dS whipIey, de- Dr. Bacon. Jr Boston PIo
/ sor J. Jamestown, Middietown; W. c. Redfeld New
cn Ss
NJ. D. Whpple, Lowell DR.. Stephen Reed. Lancaster,
Mass; Dennson olmstet ,r, NewHaven; Francis Ager,
sted do, B. sman, jr do; Professor Henry Rogers,
Philadelphia; Professor Chester Dewey, Rochester, Dr.
Ws.t Point Dr. storer Boston, ''
Professor CHESTER DEWEY. IN the absence OF the
| regular President, VIM. B. Rogers, was chosen to
ton, B. Siliman, jr. and Dr. J Lawrence Smith,
l were in attendance.
The Secretary submitted a volumnous pile OF
letters OF apology, but dispensed with the reading
l of them, because Of their number. A few were
from scientific gentlemen, accompanying papers to
l be read to the Association.
The Secretary suggested the proprefy OF gentle.
/ men who proposed submitting any written article
to the assembly, conforming to the rule which d.
rected all such to be filed: Several papers were
| filed TO be read on another day.
The Secretary further announced that the book
Of transactions OF last session had been published
| and forwarded to members OF their body; the ma
jor part of the edition, however, still remained for
/ disposal.
Professor SILLIMAN, after handing in commu-
nicaticn from person whose name the Reporter
| could not hear, alluded to the delivery Of an an.
nual address, and announced the inability Of the
Il President to attend.
been commissioned to state to the nvenion, that the
gentleman appointed to deliver the annual address could
not attend to it, but would the following season, II
they approved OF it. He thought desirable to refer the
whole subject of an address to- committee whose bust
%oId De to and r o o. sge sacn
things make provision for the delivery Of two lee
lures As there would DO still variety of alters to de
mand ncton he moved that committee Of three be ap.
pointed by the chair. Motion carried.
The CHAIRMAN nominated Professors Rogers of Phia.
delphia Loomis. of Watwell, Me and Redned Of New
York the latter declining, Professor Robinson was sub
stituted.
had not occupation for the evening, which probable,
would be for them to cut cut employ men this he said
from being aware that was the wish OF certain members
invite the association to their houses ii present
felt DESTROYS to do So he thought the present proper
time
shall be happy to the association at my house this
| evening Looks ofapproval)
The Secretary at the susgt son Of the President read
the articles Of the constitution for The benefit Of
such members might have been absent they were
| previously read.
| The PrrsIpExr again directed the attention of the
meeting to an annual address, He thought 1t highly de-
srabe that there should be provision made supply
place Of Professor Rogers. The public would expect
for the newspapers announced that addresses and lee
| lures were to be among their proceedings.
The SHcnErARy observed that slight istske had been
inadvertently made by the COMMITTEES, it was the duty
Professor Locke not Professor Rogers, to deliver the
l address this year. "a pausc)
PREsrpENr-Is there any further business before the
| meeting, gentlemen (Ano.ber pause)
Professor RrprrrLDIf there is nothing else, ought
60 with the reading Of tho papers romething would
| be gained by beginning
Mr. D. Dana called general attention TO certain rules
adopted in s42 and in connection with them pointed
the effectiveness Of scientific language the necessity for
revision Of the technical vocabulary for the suspcn-
sion OF those rules alluded TO until Committee should be
appointed to consider the prorrcty or revising the
| clature Of Geology end notany.
Professor Rooms fully concrred in the prcpsiey Of
the oon. They had strong precedent set them by the
British Association who had made advances, with
to reform the language Of SCIENCE At present.
IL quite true, that the most learned men were