New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-22
SEVENTH DAY.
MONTREAL, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 1857.

MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS.
The frst paper on phylotactc proportions in the
solar system. The author who has most fully inves
tigated the subject said Prof ALEXANDER, is Adolph
Seizung, who tries TO show that these proportions
exit in the planetary system the parts of the body
the vibrations of musca chords the orders of arch-
lecture the proportions of land aud water &c. But
this writer does not 90 very far in his investigation of
the planetary relationsabOut as far as Prof A. had
gone year ago at the Albany meeting 1t was in the
attempt TO 20 further in this investigation that Prof A.
had arrived at the results in regard to the special
haxmonles of the solar SYSTEM which he presented ip
his paper yesterday. He to-day simply showed the
manner in which he applied the ply llotactc numbers
TO the distances and periods OF the planets.
The second paper, by ARNOLD GUYoT, now Of
New Jersey, treated of the barometrical and
early trigonome!Iicd measurements of the White
Hills Of New Hampshire, and the causes
which led to the early mistakes concerning
their height. No comparisons of two barometrc
measurements can be relied on when the baGometers
are anything like hundred miles apart. When the
baromeers have been brought the mountains, the
level Of the lower instrument has not been well ascer
tanned In l849, Prof Guyot had made several obser
yatons but found the levels Of the railroad not trust
worthy. In 1851, with the assistance OF the Coast
Survey he made new observ atoms with the barome.
Ter at Gorham, within ten miles Of the summit. HIS
friend William A. Goodwin, an Engineer on the Grand
Trunk Railway, afterward eveed line to the top Of
Che mountain. The Coast Survey then made careful
trigonometric determination of the hight The three
results are practically identical differing certainly less
than ten feet between the extremes. Mount Washing
ton NAV be called S5 feet above high water at Port
land. Prof Guyot mentioned the confirmation OF the
barometrca measurements Of Mont Blanc by trigo-
nometIca measurements, and urged the value OF the
instrument for such uses In reply to question OF
Lieut.. Hunt, Prof Guyot repeated his testimony, given
last year at Albany, against the ustworthiness OF the
averoid barometer
DIR. SMALLwooD said he had compared the averoid
for years with mercurial thermometer, and agreed
with Prof GuyOt in saying that we cannot rely on the
zero Of the averod remaining unchanged.
Prof neYt ClV n oil III
mum thermometer of Thomas Green's, which works
much better than anything yet tried 1t is mercural
thermometer with glass valve floating inside the bulb
DIR. SmallwOod thought it might be improved by
making the floating valve of dark colored glass, so
that we could see when it was in adjustment.
DIR. j. ii. GIBBOS read his fourth essay. the met
rical system of France and its adaptation to the cOm
meree, coinage and science of the world. Beginning
with sketch Of the ancient coinage aud the fluctuations
of value, and gradual debasement of pennies until
they became pure copper. The great variety Of
measures and weights in the different provinces of
France almost exceeded enumeration. The variations
oil measures ID Germany were equally perplexing. DR..
Gibbon gave amusing sketch of the origin Of meas
ares from the personal diversions Of kings and princes
or even barons and ladies. He then reviewed the his
tory Of attempts TO find perfect measure of length in
nature las the day is perfect of time). The
system OF France is the only scale thoroughly scientific
Our American coinage il consistent W It'll itself
A silver dollar contains q grains than two half
dollars. An agreement between minis of different
countries would be valuable in furnishing balon TO
the silversmiths and thus our coinage from de-
structon. Ten millions per annum of coins melted
mp in America. The decimal system of France hiss
been adopted in several continental mnts The adop-
zion in mnts would lead to its adoption in weights and
measures. Weights and moneys were originally
equivalent and both should be kept rgidy inv srable
by the general governments of the world. In intro
ducipg the French weights and measures in Bavaria
not the slightest compusion was necessary. by sin
ply having all public business done with the new
weights the people were drawn into them by their
convenience.
Mr.. Horror earnestly urged the importance Of in
terpatiopal uniformity IN weights and measures fa'
greater than the importance OF perfect sy, tenn in any
one patton. Now the FreAch system is already
adopted by several European nations and some ia
South America.
Lieut.. E. b. HuSr offered some views and sug
gestions on the practice and theory of scientific pab
6caton He pointed out the impossibility Of scientific
Iaborers finding out under present arrangements wha
has already been published in regard to their spscia
studies fIe suggests that universal agency shoulc
be established among the publishing scientific soc'e
ties to distribute epecal memoirs among special stu
dents OF particular subjects, at minimum paying prices
BY organizing thus the special demands OF inveehyt
tors we might have a maximum circulation OF me
noirs at minimum prices, instead OF having mIni
mum circulation at maximum Prices
d. HARk ipdorsed the xews Of Lieut.. Hunt as con
6rmed by bis experience OF hall century. What ~
seed means OF distributing scientific memoirs, AND
means by which private students could collect libra
nes exclusively OF special testses at moderate cost
The New. Dr. j. Z. ADANsos gave an account o
. new form which he had devised for Sir John Her
schers fducisl barometer.
Prof. SsALLwooD read paper on Ozone, the
peroxide OF hydrogen During seven years he had
observed il 9lS days, and it usually accompspied
by rain or snow. In 1884, the year Of the cholera,
there were 1873 days Of rain or snow and oply "a
of ozone He concluded therefore that its presence
was favorable 30 health.
Mr. SsALLwooD also presented the result Of his oh
servstons-several thoussnds-on the Meteorology o,
Canada.
Prot. GUYoT read paper on series Of New Me.
Neurological and Physical Tables prepared for the
SmiShsenan Institution and another the Bsrometrc
fprnula for the measurement OF differences Of leve