The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-05
Repo'ted for the Daily Egchange
TWELFTH ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
A AMERICAN TON
FOR THE
ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.
SIXTH DAY-TUEsDAY.

SIXTH DAY-TUEspAY
At 10 o'clock this morning the Association wa:
called to order by the President, Prof. Caswell.
After the reading of the minutes of Yesterday
proceedings, the chair announced the following
committees:
Committee on the Reports of State Geologists-
Prof Swallow, of Missouri, Prof. Hitchcock OF
Massachusetts, Prof. Hall, of New York Prof Rog-
ers, of Glasgow, DR.. Philip I. Tyson of Baltimore
DIR. Gibbs, of Columbia, s. c., C. T. jackson, OF
Boston, and DR.. Oscar NJ. Lieber, of Columbia,
S. C.
Committee to Consider the Report on the Repis
tration of Births, Marriages and Deaths-Professor
Henry, of Washington DR.. Gibbs, of South Caro-
lima, Prof Gillespie,*of New York, Prof VIM B.
Rogers of Boston, Prof. Samuel Jackson, of Phila-
dephia.
The recommendation of the standing committee
that the next annual meeting of the Association be
held at Springfield Mass, was taken up. Mr.. Fol
som, OF New ork, moved that Springfield be strck-
en- out and New York inserted. Another gentleman
proposed Cambridge, Mass, which latter was voted
down. Col. Graham then moved to substitute Chi
cago as the place. The Col. gave many reasons
why Chicago should be selected, and in the course
OF his remarks alluded to the rapid growth of the
West Among other things he said that during
last year more than two million dollars worth Of
produce had been sent to Eastern and European
markets.
The debate was further continued bv Prof
Peirce, of Harvard University, Prof Bache Prof
Rogers, of Boston, and others, and took a very
wide range. The beauties and advantages of each
place named, were set forth by the movers and
friends of the different localities when the question
was submitted, and the city of Springfield, Mass,
selected.
Mr.. Folsom asked that New York be considered as
the place for the meeting following the next. Col
Graham made the same request in reference to Chi
cago, and Prof. Swallow put in the claims of St
Louis. The latter gentleman remarked that as
there was considerable talk about getting to the
North Pole, he very desirous that his scientific
brethren should pay a visit to the centre of the
world, the city of ST. Louis.
The Standing Committee reported the following
as the permanent officers for the next general Con-
vention:
President-Prof Stephen Alexander of Prince
Vice President-Prof. Edward Hitchcock, of Mas
sachusetts.
General Secretary-Prof. VIM. Chauvenet, of An
napolis.
Permanent Secretary--Prof James Lowering, of
Cambridge
Treosarer-Dr. A. C. Elwyn, of Philadelphia
The Standing Committee also reported several
changes in the standing rules of the Association in
regard to the admission of members, which were
laid over until the next annual meeting.
DR.. Steiner read interesting letter from Lon
don, written by the Secretary of the Royal Astro-
nomcal Association, in answer to an invitation to
attend the sitting of the Convention.
The following gentlemen were proposed for
membership by the Standing Committee, and were
elected
Dr. John Norris of Baltimore.
Prof. r. n. Wright,
DIR. W. G. Kloman,
Lyman Reed
Hon. Hon A A. H. H: T,SIt, Stuart, Of Virginia.
Prof. E. II. Davis, of New York
Thomas Ewbank, "
DR.. George c. NJ. Roberts, of Baltimore.
}. II. Hoblitzell, of Maryland.
Hon; George W. Thompson, of Virginia.
Dpnt ~ Of,
pheric Electricity, but as the time of the Conven-
ton was now so short, he moved, after giving a
brief synopsis of his paper, it be printed.
The Convention then divided into Sections
SECTION A.
The section was called to order by Prof Henry,
the Permanent Chairman, who nominated Prof.
Coaklay, as Chairman of the day, which nomna-
tiOn confirmed.
The section again sub-dvided.
MATHEMATICAL DvIsION.-The first paper read in
this division ''The Tides of Saturn's Rings" by
Benz. Peirce. This paper characterized by the
same laboriOus research and abilitywhich has mark
ed every paper by this author. Its great length
however, precludes our giving it in our report
while synopsis would result only in marring its
effect.
1t was succeeded by paper "On Deep Sea Sound
ings-a discussion showing the influence of the re-
sistance of the water on the Sounding Weight and
Line, by w. i. Trowbridge, of the Coast SURVEY"
This paper sets forth that accuracy in fathominp
the ocean cannot be entirely expected after the
sounding weight has descended to the depth of 400
tathoms. The weight is from 30 to 100 pounds and
when first thrown into the water will descend with
velocity of from ten to twelve feet per second but
after descent to the depth of 1900 fathoms, its
velocity will not be greater than about one foot to
the second
The next paper was "On the Confirmation,
from City of Providence data, of a newly deter
mined law of Mortality, for Early Childhood, by E.
B. Elliott"
This was succeeded by one "On Criterion appli
cable to the question of the Common Origin of the
Asteroids, and possibly, also of certain Comets, by
Stephen Alexander"
VIM. B. Rogers, next read paper son Ring for
nations in Gases and Liquids
The next was "a note in relation to further re-
searches on the alleged influence of Solar Light on
the process of combustion. by John Leconte."
The next paper read was Son the general features
in the configuration of the BAYS Sounds Capes Is
lands, &C., of the Eastern Coast of the United
States, and on their classifc cation, by DR.. j. 6.
Kohl"
CHEMICAL D1vIsIoS.-In this division the subjoin-
ed papers were read, and illustrated through the
aid of the blackboard:
''Some experiments on Sonorous Flame, with re-
marks on the primary source of the vibrations, by
VIM. B. Rogers"
Gan observation of the Sonorous Vibrations of
Coal Gas Flames, by Alfred NJ Mayer"
''0n the Preparation of some pure Sulphates, and
particularly of Sulphate of Copper, by Henry
Wurtz.,'
''Some Improvements in the Preparation of Hard
''0n the Extinction of Light from Terrestrial OBJ
iects by l.. w. Meech.'
''On the Solubility of the Phosphates used in Ag-
riculture, and their Assimilation by Plants, by A.
Snewden Pggot M. D."
tsOn the Biographical Distribution of the Places
from which the Meteorological Observations are re-
ported to the Smithsonian Institution, by James II.
Coffin, (n behalf of the Secretary of the Institu
tony
''Some Suggestions regarding new applications of
Glycerine by Henry WurtZ'
''On Modes of Increasing the Heat of the Mouth
Bow-pipe, and some new Blow-ppe Manipula-
tions, by Henry Wurtz."
''Note on Certain Iridescent Phenomena upon
Lake Michigan, by Geo. w. Burnap."
"On the Causes of the Variable Illuminating
Power of Coal Gas, by William E. A. Aiken
''Climate of North America, by }. b. Hurl-
'The Geological Map of Pennsylvania, by II. D.
Rogers"
SECTION B.
Section B was called to order by Prof. Swallow,
when Hon. George Folsom, of New York was nomi-
mated as chairman for the day, but declined be-
cause of objection made, and Prof. Haldeman
elected.
Dr. j. H. Gibbon read paper showing the init
mate connection between the forms OF the letters in
the old Irish alphabet and those of the ancient
Capts of Egypt. He spoke of the early days of
Egypt, when the people visited the British Islands
to trade with the natives.
Prof Hademan said he had no doubt that the
Irish alphabet was derived from the Latin, and
gave some interesting illustrations on the black
board to prove his position.
Dr. Hall made some observations upon the genus
Graptolithus and allied genera.
Prof w. d. Whitney read paper relating to an
Arabic Work on Physical Science Of the Twelfth
Century He said it was well known that the an
cient sciences were brought down through the Arabs
1t spoke of the existence of instruments for meas
urement, one of which bore the name of Archimedes.
The instruments were rude, but they used the wa
ter balance, such as is used at the present day.