The New York herald., 1851-08-26

w. "
Leeds brooklyn Rev Manrde ss sBsd Bsadfa aas
~ Pierce, Albany. J. Scovile Salisbury g
W J hcAlpne, Albany 1t A. Dalson Cambridge &c
W G Johnson Utica d summons Paris Hill " Y
"A. 5. Johnson, New York G. W Carpenter ALBANY
C H. Palmer, Romeo, Mich n Hill Jr Albany
DIR. W. kitchell, n. j.
letter was read from the Secretary of the
Hudson Bay Company, cooperating with the
Smithsonian Institute in meteorological observa-
tions.
1t was announced that an herbarium would be
exhibited at noon.
A letter was read, inviting the association to
visit the Albany Gallery of tine Arts
Anothe letter of in gitatOn, for the next annual
mee ting, was read from Willism Prescott Smith
OF Baltimore, in behalf of the Maryland Institute,
requesting that it be held there.
These announcements were made that the asso-
citation, IL its excursion to Troy to- morrow would
hold session there in the morning; that the
nual address would be delivered this evening, by
Professor Bache, the Assembly chamber; that
the ladies' OF the members are invited to accompany
Ahem . morrow; and that members OF committees
are requested to be ready to present them without
delay.
Professor PIERCE, of tae committee appointed
by tie association to examine Professor Mitchelis
new astronomical apparatus, and to repor; thereon,
read report, stating bat five Of the eight
b0rs OF the committee had personally examined the
apparatus, and were convinced that the claims
made for il by Professor NJ. had been fully sub
Stimulated by its performan ,es They rec) n mend
to furnish funds to enable Professor M to prose-
cute his labors to greater advantage. They had
requested Professor M 70 acco pany this report by
an sxplana ion to the members of his instruments
Professor Mitchell came forward and al lressed
the association. He first said that it had been
doubted whether the repetition, on the same night,
q the observation of star was of any value In
order to give the opinion Of an impartial astrono-
mer, he read an extract from a letter from Profes
sor Challis, of the Observatory at Cambridge,
England, dated November q, 1919, who writes
that in his opinion a repetition on the ne
night Of the observations is very essential
Prof. NJ. now began minutely to explain his in
struments, and observed in the first place that be
had not as yet brought them % completion bat,
like others, he was highly gratihed at the success
already obtained. His creates difficulty had been
IN devisirg means 10 get rid Cf the slight variations
observed; and the task was more difficult as the
differences were more IN n1te. Up TO the present |
time be had lot obtained observations of declna.
lions directly, but Differences Of decliaation. lie |
gave count Of his observations made upon the
diameter OF the sun since the New Haven meeting,
and showed by their accuracy the capabilities OF
his instrument. He then showed its power of
measuring stars far apart, aud that the work of
different nights could be recorded in the most per.
feet manner on the same plate. The observations
OF one night were recorded Eve of ter wires; viz
first, third, etc, and on the succeeding night, OBJ
ssrvations were recorded on the alternate wires the
second, fourth, etc and with the most beautiful
exactness.
Prof. PIERCE, from the committee on Prof Coax.
Ieys tables Of Neptune, reported hgains: their
printing
On motion Of Prof Henry, a committee was ap-
painted on meteoric observations, Wis Prefs Bache
1eddeli, Henry, Guyot, and lie FOy were nomi-
mated.
The Association now divided, as yesterday, iatO
tvo sections.
Section Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
Section Geology and Natural History
SECTION L Prof. Henry took the chair, and Prof
MeCulloch was named as Secretary.
The first paper read was on he
i TEIArIoNs OF THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF
: BoDrEs TO SIGHT, by PEoF. L. ~ HoRsFoRD, OF
This vas very long paper, treating of oxides,
yaroxidCs, acids SC. sc. Its design was 20 deter
mine the extent Of general principle in the colors
Cf metals, Sc. ! copy only the concluding parti-
Conclusions The color OF bodies depends upon
Abe extent Of surface oftber small particles or groups
OF atoms. Transparency depends upon the arrange
nent OF lesser atoms IN certain order, constituting
large groups. Whiteness depends upon such extent
OF surface Of the grains Of atoms shall reflect
light or upon the number OF tin plates produced
ty pulverzing transparent bodies as will reflect all
the light. Backness depends upon the subdivision
OF grains 70 such minutentss, that they 10 longer
reject light; or, by producing interference destroy
IL Heat, by subdivision cluses darker shades
Remarks were made on this paper by Or. j. l..
Smith, University Of louisiana and Dr. Hunt, OF
tie coast survey.
committee from this section were. on motioa
&C Professor Pierce, appointed to examine tele-
score exhibited by Mr.. Lyman. The Chairman
appointed 1t. Many, and Professors Mitchell
a. and CssweM
The sc ,ond paper was
O. ulE PRooREss oF TIE sYsrTm or MErEoRoLo-
CfCAL OBSERVATIONS CONDUCTED BY TIE SMITH
sOSIAS INSTITUTE. AND THE rRorRfETY OF Az M
rEDiArE EXTENSION oF fr THRoroHoUr The
E.EgicAS CONTINENT, BY PROF. L. GCTor, OF
tA.LRlrGE.
Professor G.. spoke extemporaneously. lie said
that TIE Smithsonian lnstitGte had com nenced
system Of meteorological observations which wO1ld
eventually, nfuly carried into operation dstormne
the meteOroiogy of the whole United states The
frst step had area iy been taken In establishing
places for observation throughout New York state
We row most need facts for the foundation Of
correct theories. Professor g.. now described the
system adopted. the various instruments plOyed.
and exhibited the printed forms for registers.
Upon conclusion Of Professor e., Dr. Haas, of
Philadelphia, made remarks chiefly 10 correct the
state nent Of the former, that controversy upon
meteorological subjects was chiefly due to wani
81 observations.
fhe instrument aud spoke Of their probable In
efficacy; whereupon the Chairman, DR.. lienry,
tSecretsry Of the Smithsonian Institution) re-
quested him to prove the correctness OF MS STATE
mtuts some discussion arose, and 10 order TO
thoroughly investigate the subject, an Adjournment
was made Oi part Of the section TO another room,
where u examined in detail, and the operations
OF The Smithsonian Institution most cordially APP
proved in a resolution e. that effect
The third paper and last Of this morning s ses-
si9n, was read by Edward g.. Squier On the
Aborigines Of America
ON THE LrrHoLosIcAt AND PALAEoyroLosIcAL
CHARAcrERs oF THE PoTsDAN SANDS rONE, ny L.
-. HUM, on THE GEOLOGICAL COMMISSION or
CANADA
Mr. HIM spoke Of the formation az exhibited in
the Eastern part OF Canada, where IL is overaying
unconformably the crystalline rocks Of the north OF
the 81. Lawrence, from Nal BAie, thirty leagues
below Quebec, where i reposes upon the same
rocks at Po,sdam, New York, on the western coast
ofLake Cham plain Extensive exposures Of IL are
met with upon the 81. Lawrence; below Kingston
where as before IL Is laying horizontally upon
tbe crystalline rocks. Upon Lake Huron, II is me-
with At the Northern extremity of the lake, resting
upon the unccnformable Huron rocks, as We have
called that series Of quartz rocks with
states Iimestones. aud cong Dglomerates, which are
here found overlayng the crystalline rocks OF the
I,surentian mountains. IL also occurs again a. the
touthesst extremity OF Georgian bay hs mgotpe
along 60 xte nded an oucross, differences OF