The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-07
NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONVENTION.
American Association for the
Advancement Of Science.

American Association for the
Advancement Of Science.
Special Report - the New York Herala.
FOURTH DAY-sENERAL SESSION.
CLEVELAND, Aug. l, 1885,
The Association met this morning, a. usual, in the
basement of the Second Presbyterian Church, Prof.
Pierce in the Chair
The President announced that the first business
was the report Of committees.
Previous to these reports the following gentlemen
were elected members of the association: DR. James
II. Nichols, Massachusetts,; VIM. G. Turner, Cleve-
land; Jesse MAJ khan, Salem, o.; DR.. j. 81. Pulte,
cleveland; Rev j. F. Bingham, New York; Joseph
6ullivant, Columbus, o.; Wilhelm Blazus; W. s.
Sullivant Columbus o.; Rev. Samuel Newberry
Ohio; Isaac N. Mason, Cleveland, O.; S. Johnson
New Haven; j. j. Husband, Cleveland, o.; John
Gandry, Cincinnati, O.
Tho Standing Committee recommended the ap-
Pointment Of the following gentlemen, each com
mittee to report on the subjects assigned them at the
next meeting, and by no means to be delayed beyond
the second session, which was unanimously adopt
ed -
Prof Bashs-on Recent Additions to our Knowledge OF
Me Theory of Tides.
RDy-Ou uu1 mo -ieuk0 Oh the LAWS OF AtrnOB-
Prof HAn-on Recon. Additions to our Knowledge of
Pref. J. L. Smith On Micro Chemistry.
Prof. Gisbss- On The Recent Progress Organic of Che
d.. Could On the Progress and Developments of the
Esesro Chronograp'c Method Of Observation.
h leidy-on the RepaiAs Of Extinct Mammalia- and
Reptlia in North America.
Pref Pieros-oe the Present State of the Theory of
Dr. Burnett-on Recent Advances in Anatomy and
PhysioloU
Prof Agassiz-on rbe History Of knowledge of Al
formation OF Genera inn in Animals.
Frof DanA-On the Distribution Of the Lower Animals.
DR.. WoLCoTT GIBBEs then read report relative
- the funds OF the association and the sale of the
volumes of the proceedings. This report strongly
condemned the custom of selling the volumes of the
proceedings at high or at any price at all and
also the custom of collecting so large an annual fee
Rom the members expressing the belief that we
had no possible need of funds, except to pay the
permanent Secretary and the general incidental
expenses Of each citing.
DIR. GOULD remarked that it was the primary DUR
pose OF those forming the association to make It the
means Of an easy interchange of information atten
dance &c. He knew that thus far the assessment
was Furthermore, and had contrayened the benef-
cial purposes of the organization. He knew that
lady Of Boston had presented to the association
large number of volumes left in the library of her
husband at bis death, which were to be presented to
1he members of the association. These volumes had
been taken and sold, to the extraordinary mortifca
G0n Of the lady and derOgaton of the assOciation
ne deprecated the whole system as unnecessary op-
pxesslve and positively productive OF dissatisfaction.
citation. e"' 'AS'"''''A " 'n' aSSo-
Professor HALL said that in the old association it
had been the purpose to keep the assessment law.
1t was once as low as l2t cents. True the number
OF members was small. If the citizens of cities or
individuals, chose to publish the volumes then let
was wrong to assess in this way by selling Volumes
Rather pay twice the sum in any other way he
YES ana nad been opposed to fund; thought that
was unnecessary, and would prove disastrous
Lieutenant HUM thought that this would be beg.
ging cities to invite and assist us.
Professor HALL thought not and would despise |
snch process.
Professor BAoHE thought that we should be indie
pendent of these gratutes that every member should
pay, and then we would ask no favors. We never
nave desired to speculate or raise fund. We
nave discussed the propriety OF offering premiums,
and determined to offer none the British Associa-
ton does and therefore there is need of fund.
Com. WILKES wanted information and thought
mat they had better be prated
Professor GIBBEs said that committee of ten was
desired to consider wisely the whole matter of the
revision of the constitution.
The PRESIDENT said they had come from the CON- |
mittee unanimously and were considered wise and |
important, or they would not be presented.
Professor }. l.. SMITH thought them wise.
Professor HALL thought they were unanimously
sustained The asst ssment was among them and |
the volumes should be distributed gratuitousy.
Prof. BAcHE regarded it only as one of those mo-
0InCduonS 50 necessary 10 progressive body He \
did not refect the past. 1t would reflect on him.
self We have advanced, and must change to keep |
mp with the times.
DR. GOULD said, that as there seemed to be mis-
apprehension regarding the resolutions, they had
better be read.
They were read again.
Mr.. REDFIELD wished it understood that even I'M
der these lutOns would be very long before the
cons ttution could or would, be changed.
Prof. LEvERING thought the first resolution might
be so modified as to relate to future collections, and
- . would loot <l.o
administration. As it is, we are now year ahead
and it was, probably, but commendable business
foresight in the officers.
1t was so amended as to read further" colec-
lions, &c.
Com WILKES asked what was the number of the
edition.
The PRESIDENT replied that it formerly had been
/ 900; but w5s now 200.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
resolution passed the Association modifying the
resolution OF Saturday last which authorized the Per-
manent Secretary to purchase copies Of the back |
volumes 1t was modified as to demand that he
should furnish these volumes TO the members Of the
Association at the cost price.
DIR. GIBBEs now moved that the President ap-
point the committee Of ten gentlemen to revise the
constitution.
The motion was carried, and the President an
nounced that be would make the appointment to-
morrow, as it required some time for reflection.
The standing committee recommended calling on
the Pemar ent Secretary, Prot. Baird to make full
report to the Association of his operations for the
year, and of all the moneys received, dsbursed, and
now on hand by him.
We believe that no report has as yet been made
manifesting the condition of the treasury which is
said to he unnecessarily full. The only necessary
penditures for programmes, &c. for the sessions
stationery, and the salary Of the Permanent Secre
tary, which is three hundred dollars annually.
The general meeting then adjourned to three
o'clock this afternoon.
SINGULAR Casa Miss Read Of West Boyls-
ton, took chloroform few days ago. for the purpose
Of having tooth extracted, and after the operation
was performed she was attacked with severe pain in
The bead, became unconscious, and apparently died.
Her friends supposiDg her dead, laid her out for
burial, and began to prepare for the funeral cere
monies; but their grief was Unexpectedly tnrned TO
Joy and astonishment, on finding that the supposed
dead began to revive She eventually recovered the