The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-10

ton. Some persons accounted for it through the
presence Of sulphate of calcium; he thought other
wse, as that substance was TO be found only in the
laboratory Of the chemist not in the EARTH others as
sociated its origin with disqualification. He though
the curves and cracks, suggesting the idea OF up
heaving, arose from the settling Of the mass OF
loose earth after qualification, the settling would
present the same appearance.
\ The PRssDENr asked members to state wha
facts they were acquainted with; but no communi'
cation was made on the subject.
DR.. Jackson addressed the meeting on the sub
ject Of the barometer; no instrument was usually
more imperfect than this, and the price was IN ths
inverse proportion TO its perfection Those IRON
were untrue; though those from that country were
much superior to barometers made in the United
Suites; but the French were the best
He described simple contrivance to serve all
purposes sought 10 be secured by barometers now
in use, and submitted an unfinished specimen OF the
instrument II was glass tube, about y inches
long and IA in diameter; to one end was attached
by screw, cylindrical receptacle OF bell metal q
hold the mercury, to which was again attached
another tube in the shape of an inverted cone
covered by leather cover, and through this the
pressure Of the atmosphere operated. The upper
portions were described in detail, and were very
DR.. J. remarked that Mr.. J. n. Temple, Of Bos.
ton (whose skill in brass work was not excelled IN
any country had afforded him great aid in this
troublesome experiment Of making good baro'
meter
A MEMBER. What win this cost
Dr.. JACKSON. $50, the price the worthless baro
meters now in use. He advised scientific men "a
keep perfect instruments their results were sure
and satisfactory whilst imperfect ones were always
q source of annoyance and error. he was sure
that an average of measurements OF the altitude
of mountain, barometrically, would be found more
accurate than if done trigonometrically.
Professor OLMsTEAD said DR.. ]. deserved the
thanks of the association and country for his abors
to improve the barometer, and for nstructing ar
able mechanic in his improvements, who would
furnish the country with what was so much wanted
a perfect specimen Of the instrument.
Here the subject was dropped.
The PREsIDENT moved to resume the inquiry or
the subject lately before them (on the minerals as
sociated with the trap rocks
Professor RoGERs rose first to the question. III
thought external waters could not possibly pcrme
ate through solid beds Of rock and where wells am
deposits Of water existed in strata of rocks,
would be found TO be of the precise KIND, ant
but portion of those waters in which the par
ticles of the substances were first deposited; as
for instance the brine wells found in the State o
New York were portions of the ancient ocean dis
placed by these deposits. He could not understand
how currents ofwaer from the surface of the earth
or the air, could pass into solid strata, He woult
not deny that hydrons minerals existed; that wa
one mode Of segregation; but there were minera
solutions of igneous well as aqueous origin. II
meant that, when these were found, the water con
tanning them was as old as the matter held in SO
luton.
Mr.. J. J. DANA explained some views express
ed in the morning in relation to this topic.
H.. n ap1 prnfac IN,
SHEPPARD, spoke briefly. The latter thought this
question: kethe great one Of corpuscuar action, full
Of difficulty He thanked Mr. Dana for bringing
up in the form he did; but doubling the soundnes
OF his [Mr. D.'s] views, he showed the incongrui
ties in the reasons given by Mr.. Dana and others
for the origin of these mineral waters IN rocks.
Professor SILLIMAN, after few remarks In llustra
tion thought we were far from proper appreciation
of the immense forces, such as fire, water, pressure
&c. which are in active operation in this globe, ant
are always engaged in producing vast changes ant
effects in the elements composing its mass. Yet th'
age, the efforts being made, and the Importance o
the investigation promised that at distant day.
approximation far in advance of our present posi-
ton would be made to proper appreciation Of thes'
powers.
Next came an address from S. s. HALpEMAN, ssor
a modification of the Newtpnian chromatc wheel
and its application to the analysis and nomencla
.ure Of compound colors.n His remarks were ing Q
|
He proposed to reduce the number OF primary
colors, and to represent them by obque, perpendic
uar, horizontal, and transverse lines, as in heral
dry.
The PREsIpEsr here requested all members te
pay their assessment who had not yet done SO.
Prof RoGERs again brought up the question o.
the memorial to government, discussed yesterday
He alluded to the efforts of foreign governments in
regard to similar subjects, and wished to see com
mittee appointed and the discussion continued
among members.
Mr.. HAYS and DR.. Jackson spoke. The Doctol
said, that when professionally engaged on the sur
vey of the coast of Maine he had attended to the
subject Of the oceans level, and often conyersed
with old pilots and fishermen, who always though,
that the level of the sea on that coast had sunk,
Gas they sadly that the rocks had sensiby grown
within the memory of man. He wished to see gov.
eminent undertake systematic plan to ascertain
the tide levels. At Portland, measures to this enc
had lately been effected AS the United States
had power and means throughout the whole ocear
coast to do So il would be matter Of regret if eff
forts were not made to see whether we are getting
up or down in the world. Laughter.
Prof. SULLIVAN added that marine remains on tn.
coast of New England proved that difference hat
taken place in the elevation of the sea. He woull
be glad to see government take up the matter which
would cost little, and be well executed by gentlemen
in their employ. In vast valleys over this country
in the State Of Mississippi, in the vast alluvial de
posits were proofs Of what had been said. TIL,
ruins Of cypress forests found the banks of tn,
Mississippi, and the proofs Of successive growhs
the alluvial soil of the low side Of New Orleans
when compared with these deposits, bore on thi,
question.
Prof. RoGERs doubted the alleged rise of the New
England coast. There might have been paroxys-
NAL elevations, but they were not continuous; and h,
was in the dark as to "the direction Of the land
at present. He thought the government woult
take the matter up when properly brought befor
them.
1t was then determined to appoint committee t.
memorabilia the Secretary of the Navy on the sub
ect-matter of this discussion.
The association then adjourned until Saturday, a
81 o'clock, a. m.
TIME AMERICAN REVIEW, a wing journa
Il Of politics. literature, art, and science, for May
l645 This day received by F. TAYLOR.
Contents of the .Mau number.