The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-23
THE SCIENTIFIC CONGRESS.
American Association for the Advancement
OF Science.


of Science.
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
ALBANY, Aug. 2l-P NJ
The reading Of papers began in earnest this morning.
In the two sections. In the mathematical and physical
sections the most interesting communication made at
this mornings session. Professor Peters the comet
he discovered Naples in 1885, and whose return is
pected in 1859. The Developments offered by himssf
ard Professor Gould, with reference to the disappear
OF comets will take the non-scentbc world by
PRISE Yet there is doubt tha. well known
have disappeared from view, and no one can tell waat
has become Of them. Have they been disspated into
space2 Eave they met with ether cosmical body,
and been attracted TO II, come in collision with i 2
The question acqures portentous importance when ls
borne in mind that than occasion astrono
have foreold that comets would approach
within fearful proximity to the euth In 1892, 20,
may remember, many learned persons we're very IN
easy about the OF eas comet pous clergy
preached that by collision with that God IN
tended TO destroy the world What then excessive
timdty assumes very different character now that We
are certain OF the disappearance of two apparently regi
lar cosmca bodies and the question arises afresh wnn
new importance, how came the asteroids 70 the place
they occupy Is Humboldt right in presumng that they
ate the fragments OF some mighty orb shattered by
lisi m with come Was that the only instance OF such
a dsaster9
How the suggestion of Prof Peters, with regard I,
the estabshmep of comet medal 70 be given TO ever,
dscoverer of comet, can be carried out, know
but doubtless such system would be OF advantage
would set host OF young men on the tran, OF comet
and tend TO increase stores Of astronomical know
ledge.
The papers read in the Geology e;on, by Dr. Wnsow,
Of Troy, we've lister ed to with great attention. NJ
aware Of any one who has advocated boldly as Dr..
Winslow the theory Of solar influence volcanoes
that OF an IL terEal in candescent sphere The latter
you are aware is old idea, which many moiern men
OF science iet justified in rejecting. Sir Charles lye
amor Others ii mist not, considers IL wholly
teIabe and argues With some force, that II, D..
W!rslow and the other partisans of the theory
pretend, this earth is mere crust reposine
place live in and ought tohave burst up lone
ago. However Sir Charles does not advance theory o
his and, in the absence OF any aesua informato
on the point, plausible conjecture Is goot
thcr The facts stated by Dr. Winslow, in d, scrbiIg
journey 10 the Sandwich Island volcano, 4.
the extreme. l have no hesitation in saying that,
things consideredstye facts, and holiness OF Theory
his communication is the most important contribution
the OF our information the subject Of voc iEoe
and ear thquakes that we have hal for many Yeas.
The shorter par on volcanoes is also interesting
valuable To explain IL in wori-he supp)ses tina. II
Of eruptons and earthquakes is soppage in H.
sutterranean channels through which the earth Dire
flows. II may be regarded supplement to the paplr
above mentioned.
Professor Agassiz amused AMI instructed the associa
ton by bis remarks on The garpikes. They are usly
looking little fish, which eat voracously and would
IDENTIFY from their looks take mans leg of If they
large enough and he was accessible
Invitations have been addressed by the American
citation Of science at Albany u number Of literary
scientific gentlemen OF your city, TO attend their present
meeting, viz. George Bancroft, j. Rcmeyn Broibead
Rev DIR. Hawkes. Professors Griscom and Doremus, De
Witt Bcodgood archibald Russell and J. Calvin Smith.