The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-09
National Academy of Science,

Second Dd1-7rd of Glaciers under he Tropics
,.Secu ar AcceeTdtton OF ne Moons Hean
Motion Origin of Solar Hedt-Morphoo
Value and Relations of The BOn1dn Hand.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass, August 8.-The National
Academy of Science met In its second scientific
session at O'Clock this morning. Professor
Henry took the chair The discussion of Pro.
lessor Agassiz's paper on the traces OF glaciers
under the tropics was continued with great spirit
till IL o'clock. Professor Guor, who is authority
on all matters connected with the glacial period,
took objections to conclusions which he deemed
founded on few and insufficient observations.
Professor Pierce raised objection as to the tenn
perature of the ocean at that period, and Messrs.
Lesley and Frazer joined in the debate. The
subject OF the origin, mode of formation, move
ment, and results of glaciers is now much dis
cussed among scientific men, and the difference
oil opinion developed was wide. The subject was
passed, not fer lack OF interest, but ior lack OF
time.
The next paper was on the secular accelera.
ton OF the moons mean motion, by John N.
Stockwen read by Or. B A. Gould. This paper
set forth that La Places views on this subject
had been overthrown by Adams, an English
astronomer, whose conclusions had stood un-
challenged Tor many years, MIR. Stock WelPs
paper claimed thai Adams had failed to take
account of one disturbing element, which would
prove the calculations of La Place correct after
all. Professor PeiTce expressed his doubts as
to the probability that MIR. StoCKwels positions
could be sustained, but said that so far as he
had examined the paper il had the right look,
and he was iavorabiy impressed with it.
Should this champion of La Place prove to be
in the right, 1t would be a grand leather in the
cap OF American science for the European
geOmetels of many years would be oveTtnrown
and discounted. He thought that the Academy
owed it to science, to the country, to itself and
to the author, to examine and test Mr.. Stock
wells positions until they were proved false or
true. The paper was referred TO a committee
consisting of Professors Peirce, Newton, and B.
A. Gould, for thorough investigation and
reLort.
The next paper was on the origin Of solar
heat, by Professor BENJAMIN PeICe, of Harvard
College. He tirst demolished what is called the
meteOTc theory of the solar heat, and then
showed that the heat OF the sun would have
lasted 30,000,000 years while the sun was con-
tracing IRON filling the orbit of Mercury to
its present size-which IS about the time calcu-
lated or the cooling OF the earuh from a liq aid
to solid form; and that the heat would last
30,0CO,O00 years longer before the sun could
cool to the density OF the earth.
This very Instructive paOer was followed by a
very interesting one on the nOrphOlogical value
and relations OF the human hand, by DR.. B. G.
Wilder, an invited guest. Professor AgasSiz
spoke at some leneth III approval OF Dr. WIlder'5
views. This paper was referred to committee
consisting OF Messrs. Lecopte, b. A. Gould, ami
AgassZ. Mr.. PeChaZ, an invited guest, then
read paper on the correlation of gravity and
temperature.
AT O'Clock the Academy adjourned. Profes-
sor Stephen Alexander, OF Princeton, has
arrived. Among the invited gues 8 are Professors
g. j. Brush and Elias Looms, OF Yale College.
Thursday evening is appointed for the public
eulogy Of the late Edward Hitchcock, OF AM
herst College, former member. Seventeen
other papers have been entered for reading
The Academy, therefore, will not adjourn before
Saturday.-N. y. Tribune.