The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-03

two A little before three Professor Silman rose
and called the meeting To order, and expressed his
sgret At the unavoidable absence Of Professor w
Rogers, of Virginia, who to have acted al
chairman, He therefore nominated Professor Dewey
ofRochcster, New York, in his place; and this was
carried, and MIR. Dewey took his seat as presi-
dent s
The secretaries Of last year were to have acted
this year; but DR.. Lawrence Smith, of South Caro-
lima, being absent, Mr.. Dennis Omsted, jr, Of New
Haven, was appointed in his place.
Tho secretaries reported that the proceedings OF
the convention at Washington last year had been
printed to the number of 500 copies; $50 had been
sent to the members Of The association $50 remain
ed on hand, which could be had, five copies for ono
dollar, TO pay the S75 expense for printing II is
neat document of l04 pages.
The secretary then said that letters had been re-
ceived from the following distinguished scientific
men, expressing their deep regret at not being able
to attend this convention;
Prof w. b. RoGrRs Of the University ofvirgnia-
Prof Glsss, Of Charleston
Prof. JOHN FosTER, of North Carolina.
DR.. CHoLiEN ofBaltimore.
pr. w. DARLINGTON, Of Pennsylvania,
Dr.. snErr Of philadelphia
p. F 3; LsosAs q q Troy, y ~
Mr.. coor.a. Of New Jersey.
Mr.. O. q. FoRsHAY, Of New Orleans.
M Assa1 Of tbs Typographical s Bureau, washington
Lieut. GsAnAn, Typographical Engineers washington
Mr. ]. D. GaAHAM, Washington City,
Mr.. LEWIS X. GlBBEs, Charleston.
Mr.. CoorER, Of Darien, Georgia.
Mr.. PETER A. Browns. Of Philadelphia
Lieut. MAuKy, United States navy.
Mr. J.v. L. PnuYs, Of Albany.
M. H.Say 4 wrLp' q Mount Savage
Mr.. WArLEs. Of Mississippi.
DR.. WrDDERBunN, Of New Orleans.
The president asked what was the order of pro-
ceduro on the part of the convention.
Tho secretary said it was usual for gentlemen
having papers 10 be read, to enter them the doc
ket that was then lying on the table, Papers TO be
read were now on the table from DR.. Wcdderburn,
Of New Orleans, and DR. Weber, of Charleston,
New Hampshire. And it was was moved and car
reading at this meeting should be recorded and the
following list were put Immediately on the docket:
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN BIOLOGISTS AND
NATURALIsTs.
LIST OF PAPERS TO BE READ AT THIS MEETING
CoSn.ssei. in:trnted with figures Of new species By
JosrrH BAEKErr, NJ. d.
" Regular Triangular and Rhomsie Marks Of Great Dis
On ths origin Of The Constituent and .adpen,ious Minerals
VI Trap and The Allied Rocks: BY JAMES ID DANA.
A rsrisu Of Chemieai Theory. by Mr.. WaELrLrr.
Works. Mayisrd: BY TnoM.. il. WELD Of England.
H. H. Ssssy N y4s By sy Mr. Mr. WIS Of Mississippi
The United Staiss' BY Prof H. d. Rooms.
1Ae Geology Of the Upper Mssoavi BY Prof H. D. Ro-
Synop.s Of the Fishes ef Noya .amer,ea BY DR.. D. H.
On chain Of Erae serpsnhne Rocks. B.rk.hir. Mas
sachnssis. By srLrHEs REED.
Communications or papers were also promised by
Mr.. Peter A. Browne, of Philadelphia, DR.. Dean,
and Lieut.. Maury, in day or two.
Prof SilliaGn then presented paper from Lieut..
Hardy, r. N, on the Pole-cat Tree Of Missouri,
and the Holly Tree and Mistletoe, of England and
America. He then went on TO state that the presi-
dent of the last year, by custom, delivered the adj
dress of the present year; but he had recently
DIR. Locke, at Cincinnati, who was unable to at
tend.
President Devey asked if any provision had been
made for substitute.
B. Rogers, was chairman administrative officer
in the University Of Virginia, and the discipline of
the school forbade his attendance.
Mr.. J. H. Redfeld said it would be best to refer
the subject of an address to committee.
Mr.. Rogers. There ought to be general COM
mitee of business, present each day the bill Of
fare, and arrange the order in which papers to be
This was put and carried, and Messrs. Rogers,
Red6cld, and LOOMS of Watervile College, were
appointed by the Chair.
Mr.. Redfsid declining to serve the Committee
Of Business, Prof. Olmstead was appointed in his
place.
Mr.. Redfsld said they had better make a begin
ming and 60 on with the reading Of papers.
Prof S;ilinsn said he had valuable paper fiom
Mr.. Weld, Gan EngIishman,) who has charge of the
Mount Savage Iron Works on the Cumberland
mountains.
Mr.. Dana rose and said, that the British Associa.
ton, al one ofther meetings, took TO adopt
rules for the establishment of uniform correct and
scientific geological nomenclature. The great diff
Guilty here in the study Of zoology and botany is the
want Of good nomenclature. Various authors
change the name for the same subject without rhyme
reason genus 10 often designated by several syn
onymes; no proper rules are adopted; TO an English
or American man Of science the French scientific
language 10 often as foreign the vernacular; i
Is in Germany. This impedes study Chemist,
and mineralogsts, dc. have adopted a valuable sys
for their nomenclature, and BIOLOGISTS and bo,a
nisis ought to do 20 at once. He moved that com
mittee be appointed to attend to this NATTER and to
adopt the rules Of the British association with per
haps, some slight notifications.
Prof. Rogers seconded this as a thing of the high.
est importance In this country our sparse position
is added to all the difficulties they complain of in
England, except difference of language. Many
pursuing these studies in one part of this country
are utterly ignorant Of what others doing il
other parts Of il; and that is why make so little
progress in these sciences.
Prof. SiUimam said he had received a letter from
Prof. Agassiz, of Neufchatel, Switzerland, who will
be here in a few weeks TO prosecute his imporfan,
objects leading one of which is this very subject
ofZooo n. He comes for the express purpose Of
i investigating thoroughly American Natural History
Mr.. Damn hoped there would be no delay; he had
one volume on American Natural History, that
would DO ready for the press in month. Very
small modifcations off rules Of the British assoc
citation are required.
A committee Of seven were then appointed, to
adopt rules for securing to this country correct,
nscrm and philosophical nomenclature in Zoology and
Botany
The committee arc
!. d. Dana, Z. G. Herrick, ID. II. sorer,
II. H. Haldeman, c. u. sheppard. DR.. A. Gould,
J. d. Whelpley.
To which the president was added, on Prof.
Rogersb motion.