Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-06-01
From Correspondence of the New-York Evening Post
AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION.

AsHiNGIoN, <iprll 20, loof.
believe the object of this Association in
choosing Washington as the place of assembling,
was in part that the politicians of our country
might have an opportunity of seeing what the
scientific men of other lands were doing in their
several departments, and the reciprocal benefit
to themselves of visiting Congress; but fear
that the members of Congress will generally bo
moro interested in their debates than in the dis
cussons ofscience. Whether fortunately or un-
fortunately, their attention is absorbed with the
Nebraska question. observed this morning,
circulated in the Association, copies of the Ma
tional htelHgcncer, containing Mr.. Benton's
speech.
The most important and directly practicable
paper that has yet been read, was by Prof. N.
B. Webster, of Virginia, on the metograph.
This instrument is to be used in meteorological
observations. By merely winding it up once
week, it will keep correct hourly record of the
direction of the wind, height of the barometer
and thermometer, and amount of water which
falls. 1t is very simple and important instru-
ment The great difficulty in meteorological
observation is the necessity of constant atten-
ton, which, with this machine, will not be re-
quired.
The subject of the proper arrangement of lee
ture rooms with reference to sound and sight,
was introduced by Prof Henry.
Prof. Pierce delivered the annual address be-
fore the association. The inclemency of tho
weather prevented many attending who wished
to hear the able discourse. His subject was
pure mathematics. This, in his opinion, is the
key that opens the door to all the sciences. In
closing, he referred to the unity of the human
race, and expressed his conviction that no per-
son could entertain any other view who fully
considered all the evidence.
DR.. L. Gale pres ,nted paper on the Amcri-
can patent system, in the course of which he
stated that alcohol was now obtained from whis-
key by merely allowing the latter to stand, and
the alcohol would rise to the top. He also sta
ted that individuals were now engaged in the
manufacture of paper out of the common wood
of our forests.
Mr.. W. G. Redfeld stated some facts relative
to storms on the ocean, and remarked that cap
tains might avoid many of the disasters which
they meet if they would only observe the direc-
tion of the storms when they enter them, and
follow the rules that have been laid down for
getting away from them.
| paper 9" On the Development of the Mono
cotyedonous Stems " was read by S. Darby, Of
Georgia, in which he demonstrated, by speci-
mems and preparations, that the palms, &C., in
crease in size annually on the outside instead of
the centre, as is generally supposed neither are
they limited as to living, any more than other
trees end plants, as has been supposed.
A paper "On the Whale was read by Lieut..
Maury, which brings to the notice of naturalists
q species new to them, although long known to
whalemen. They call it the " killer-whale."
The killer is about thirty feet long, not heavy,
yields about five barrels of oil, and is especially
remarkable for its habit of destroying the right
whale and the Kamtschatka whale. This il
does by surrounding the right whale in numbers
assailing its head, seizing and rending its lips
and at length tearing its tongue from its head
after which proceeds more deliberately to feet
upon the body. The most remarkable fsatur