The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-02

THE LATE SESSION OF THE AMERICAN ScIEN-
TIrIc AssocIATIoN.-Thi body closed its annual
session few days ago. The papers read and
the discussions they ELECTED are among the
most interesting which it has been the means
of producing. We noticed many Of them in
an article which appeared week ago; those
which were read afterwards need not detain us
long.
Probably the most valuable astronomical
paper read before the association was that OF
Professor Alexander On the lost planet be-
tween Mars and Jupiter. He pretends to have
discovered its form, orbit, and conditions. 1t
was, he says, disk-not globe, like the
other. planets-being only eight miles from
pole to pole, while its equatorial diameter was
seventy thousand miles, or nearly nine times
as long as that Of the earth. Rolling through
space with rapidity hardly excelled by any
of the planetary bodies, this thin slice Of
planet could not long hold together. 1t burst
and split into fragments-some of which,
thirty-fve in number-we have discovered,
and christened by various heather names. If
Professor Alexander's discovery be confirmed
by the calculations of other astronomers, his
scientific rank is safe.
We ought likewise to mention among the
members who endeavored to throw light on
this branch Of science the Reverend Mr.. Jones,
Of the Navy, who, during cruise in the South
ern Pacific, made the first recorded Southern
observations on the zodiacal light Mr.. jones'
theory is ingenious and plausible; it received
the general approval of the association. The
elder Silliman started the vexed question Of
meteors once more; which brought Mr.. Law
renee Smith to his legs, and he informed us
that meteors were parts of our system, though
not parts Of the earth. More evidence-and
that of more decided character-will be
needed before the scientific world will regard
the question as settled. Finally, Professor
Alexander placed on record very careful
observation Of the eclipse Of the sun which
took place on 26th May, 1854. 1t does not
disclose any new phenomena; but as an accu-
rate and nice observation is worth initiating
Geology was well represented towards the
close of the session. Mr.. Blake unfolded the
fruit of long and not useless labors in Califor-
MIA. It is field for the geologist that can
hardly be exeelled, and no disrespect to Mr..
Blake is meant when we observe that it is,
speaking, virgin STILL Mr.
paper on the geology and general telluric az
pearances Of that most desolate portion Of our
continent, Nebraska and the mauvaises terres.
We were aware before that the latter might
compare with the most hopeless deserts of
Africa. Nothing grows there, hardly tree or
Fond du Lac or Superior City to make his way
to the Mississippi Valley must provide himself
with everything beforehand, for he will not
meet game on the way to support himself for
single day. Mr.. Hall confirms the worst
that has been said of the region which
les mouraises terres. They are, says he, per-
feet desert, wholly incapable of sustaining
the life Of man or beast. We had supposed
that whatever was the condition Of geology in
the Western States, New England had nothing
to reproach herself on that score. But it ap-
1
that the geologist can find plenty of employ
ment there STILL Except the coast maps, says
the Professor, we have none on which we can
rely. Who will volunteer on a voyage of
discovery among the natives of Massachusetts,
and Rhode Island?
Papers on various scattered branches and
twigs Of science were abundant. Moses G. Far
mer says he has invented new telegraph, or
combination of the Morse and House lines, by
which from two to twenty-eight messages can
be sent over the same wire at the same time.
Professor Rogers explained at great length
the merits and peculiarities of the stercoscope,
but added nothing to what we knew before
Lieutenant Hunt showed how sods from salt
marshes can be used on slopes and other in
clined planes where the common grass sod will
not grow-a very useful and timely discovery.
Professor Holton, whose dreams are disturb
ed by the prospect Of the Centigrade thermome
ter superseding the old Fahrenheit, read a
warm plea in favor of our favorite domestic
instrument. We think the Professor may make
his mind easy. Fahrenheit has his faults of
course; but until nature adopts the decimal
system in her freezing and boiling and melting
operations it does not seem imperative that
we should.
The Rev. Charles Brooks read paper of
useful advice to young men about to marry
The point Of it is that they should not marry
their grandmothers or their cousins, and that
II they live on an island they should cross
over to the main land and choose wife from
thence. The reverend gentleman appears to
have investigated the subject with assiduity
and care; and il is clear that his arguments
will produce profound sensation among the
inhabitants Of Martha's Vineyard, for whom
hey seem to have been chiefly intended.
Altogether the session was a useful and
pleasant one. 1t has added much to the mass
Of our scientific knowledge, and in after years
may be contemplated by the members with an
honest feeling of pride and satisfaction.