Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-05-18
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
..THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT
OF SCIENCE" IN THE SOUTH.

OF SCIENCE" IN THE SOUTH.
The assemblage few weeks ago of Natural
lists in Charleston, South Carolina, was characte-
rized by obse vations and discourses upon various
subjects of careful inquiry and obvious utility.
The truthful investigations of Professor AeAsz interested
every by the energy, decision, and fidelity of the lee
turer. .l...
The history of the operations and influences OF the
winds and of the of the upon navigation,
and civilization, portrayed in the sensible and
impressive remarks of Lieut.. MAURy.
Some curious discoveries of dmnutive marine shells
different depths of the sea- through the cautious investigations
of Professors BAcHE and BAILEY, offered light TO the
navigator and increased confidence in approach TO
shores. s...,##
The geological sketch of Alabama by Professor TUoMEr
showed that coal of excellent quality exist the
of navgabe rivers in that State aordng faci-
ties to steam navigation in the Gulf of Mexico and in the
Pacific.
curious muscular apparatus connected with the blad-
der OF the drum fish, sufficient explain the Of the
sounds given ou, by the animal at certain seasons,
shown by Dr. HoLnRooK, of Charleston. Professor LIE
CoSrE Of Georgia. exhibited remarkable effects of ice
and frost upon certain vegetables and ear,hs.
Other discussions easuej, relating shells, reptiles, fossil
remains Artesan we plants planets, mathematics, morals
and physics the general examination of which, and the
paron Of opinions appeared be satisfactory to the Asso
eiation and to the public who attended the meetings.
An interesting peculiarly noticed the extension to
which well authenticated truth, in any natural science
might be applied, and the practical utility Of the intecom-
munion Of sentiment among Naurass occupied by very
different subjects of study and observation.
The Investigations of the botans and conchoogist were
found verify and benefit the arguments Of the and
geogrspher. ...@
The geoogst and biologist assist the planter and MINER
the merchant, the manufacturer and mechanic.
Natural history aids geography, which reacts while
tronomy and zoology form elements in developing laws Of
moral action and instruction. Geography called n-by
very happy expeden-o describe the definite bounds
zones, under which meeoric fall and exhibited the
confined range of their action upon eah, ,En demon
straion by Prof. SHEPARD who described ree meteores
which had fallen in the Carolnas during the hst year.
Prot. HARVEY, eminent Irish botanist who had just
turned from Key West observed that of the plants
inhabited the of Florida and those of Ireland and Ice
land After the subject opened for observation Lieut.
MAuRT remarked that the Gulf Stream would convey the
seed precisely those spots The distant shores Of Europe
i had carried bottles filed with air TO the destinations,
and thus the appearance of the plants under such d
Jren. degrees Of latitude, satisfactorily accounted for
highly distinguished naturalist, in his cheerful national
declared that put him down in any congregation
the State in which he lived, which marked for its geolog
cal varieties and be believed he could tell from what geoog
cal frna ion the maj ty Of the members great an
influence has the natural formation Of the country upon the
countenance, form, habits and opinions the people
The question Of the Unity of the Races of Man. had oc
cuped the a.te ntion of club Of gentlemen Charleston
who occasionally for the discussion Of scientific apd other
subjects and had probably been carried 10 bear
further discussion there But observations of Professor
AsAssz made the argument exceedingly interesting. Some
gentlemen would willingly hve entered into the discuss if
il could have been received with proper temper and argued
without personal feeling The remarks referred to WERE in
substance That there existed authority from the phrase
oogy OF the Genesis dprove facts made apparent by com
paison with other objects of natural history Tha was
difficult conceive how the white of man could have
originated from parents of other COLOR or that
had originally white paentage s'That the history Of
Genesis described the generations of family and rather
authorized the opinion that other Of human beings
existed at The time with the sons Of ADAM who were
described as ntemaying with hem females of their
own family enumerated The narrative did not prevent
the supposition that these might have been pair whites
pair blacks and pair Of redsrom whom spang the va
ious nations Of the earth differing much in their conforma
ton of body and mental deve ,pmen.' ...&
These suggestions Of Of the intelligent and truth
fu of nauraists elected attention and respect produced
what was considered by some very unnecessary clerical
gument, ard caused disposition postpone the
dscusson which passed being suited to the
calm and discreet arguments Of the pen an open public
discussion -
All men may be said correctly TO be of " blood" with
having their origin from common earthly parentage
although deriving existence fiom the one Creator
The obligations for mutual Kindness charity, and mercy are
certainly nvadated by such arguments as those present
ed by the eminent naturalist.
The Association included several clereymen among its
members visiters.
DR.. BAcHMAy, the intelligent associate of AUDuBoS is
Lutheran minister, and has written upon the subject The
Rev. Mr.. sMIrHE is Presbyterian Dr.. LYNCH Catho-
c educated in Italy and lately returned from Cuba known
lingus geoogis,, and sensible gentleman There
also present highly esteemed Unitarian divine Dr. Mrn-
MAN. and, we believe Methodist clergyman. There may
also have Teen Hebrew priest the meeting Some of
these gentlemen supposed that the opinion expressed by the
professor tended contradiction of the records of Scripture
although both parties appeal to the Bible confirm their in
lvidusl views .# ."H"@. ..~@
we have arrived at that degree Of knowledge that we NAV
very honestly question the English translation of some of the
passages of the Scriptures made by talent,
and pieiy but peculiarly deficient information on points Of
natural history and science little known or cutva ed under
great Disadvantages, at the time OF translation Of the He
brew writings. "The images of speech in that language
being all derived from natural types figures must be rem.
dered less lucid By ahy in their exact Interpretation
and TO be feared ha, accepted many views
intended by the ancient writer's