The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-22

tho steamer s. o. Pierce which conveyed the illus.
trious Swans TO Albany. Sullivan's band, which
Supposed to possess the precious properties Of
soothing the perturbed spirits Of the pale scholars
produced music for the occasion. An hour on the
Hudson ana the association had drfted 10 Albany,
where special car had been patient enough await
its coming Dudley Observatory was the objective
Professor O. W. Hough not only was consderate
enough to display the transit instruments, mural
circles, artificial horizons. sextants quadrants
chronOmeters and barometcrs. but the members
were permitted to take ana make observations at O
plenteous feast A visit was now paid to the
geological ana agricultural museums and Pro-
lessor Hall, the very good natured and enthusiastic
Son OF Strata entered into elaborate explanations OF
the relics 81 the inner earth. Not entirely wearied
Of ogling the members proceeded to tho
State library, where in those lofty halls
the vice president Of the Albany Institute spoke
thanks, making the seventy-second speech of this
character by the Canadian orator. Others could not
restrain themselves from making speeches, ana the
consequence that several large volumes OF
Greek roots were allowed to evap0rate In the State
Capitol. With the eminent practical sense which
sometimes even overcomes the shadows OF science,
the members united In dlssecting most symletrl-
cal dinner, provided by the munircence OF Albany.
At ten p. NJ. the members returned on board tile
Pierce, all coDgratulating each other Oh the epcu-
rlanism of the Albanians, and an effort was unable
this morning to arrange for another excursion. II
ppears the honest went down yesterday
afternoon, expecting to stop AZ the Bessemer Iron
Works. but the Commodore OF the Pierce refused to
consider the scientists otherwise than as subordi-
mates, and steamed by the iron works triumphanty,
and bore the Convention TO Albany, sorely against its
VIII. " appears that the Commodore had orders
from the Admiral OF the Port OF Troy, and from his
sailing orders he would not devate. The members
thought OF revolt, but that would not have been
scientific. They thought. In the language Of the
eminent State geoiogist Of New York. that they
"would sink the steamer Plerce;r but as many had
not yet read their contributions 10 science they de-
cllned to lie down to endless dreams.
This morning Mr.. Hall rose and declared that this
mutiny should be duly punished, and proposed
another excursion. IL was agreed to.
THE FOURTH DAy-MoRNING.
The association met at tea A. NJ. Among the dis
tingui hed new arrivals Is Professor Silllman, OF
Yale College. The presence OF the Professor has
given new interest TO his department Of science.
As other days OF the session. the court room was
we'll filled with spectators, many ladies lending
their cars.
| button OH the Bessemer Process. When NJ Hube
day he was denied. though he aid not seek to
repeat or recaptulatc but merely to describe did
coveries OF great value In natural history then
Lieutenant G. Z. button therefore read the first
paper given In general session. He discussed the
conversion OF cast iron to wrought iron and Its SUBJ
sequent conversion to steel. He spoke OF reducing
the Impurities. He showed the presence OF silicon,
carbon, sulphur, phosphorus and manganese. These
| elements were susceptible of high equalization, and
here he discussed the various chemical allnties and
| by atomic measure. He entered fully into the me-
chanism OF the manufacture and here his address
was interesting. Steel was not always the best
metal II Ia not good for railway purposes; but the
Bessemer process produces metal that is not steel,
and TINS metal VIII resist the strongest stress 1t
makes cast wrought iron. He recapItulated
experiments showing the utter worthlessness OF
all kinds OF iron not manufactured, by the
Bessemer process and was extremely violent against
1.-THE old manufacturers" His speech was nothing
but an immense pun for the Bessemer concern.
Professor HUNT ana suggested the marvellous
presence of oxygen and carbon In the Bessemer
metal and paid a high tribute to the gentleman's
Lieutenant BUTTON responded that carbon from
its rare quality was desirable In the meta-nnan
cialiy. great deal OF discussion followed.
The following new members were elected this
morning:-Rey. Richmond Fisk Jr., Cunto, n. T.;
Rev. 4. N: Knapp, Professor Edward orion, Mr..
George f. Hall, Mrs. s. McConKee, q. W. webeck,
W. II. Hart. George Babcock, Robert Green, G. l..
Macarthur, j. &. Williams j. ID. Hyatt
SECTION B.-MORNING.
Mr.. Q. II. HITCHCOCK followed with n valuable
paper on the geology and topography Of the White
range showing the contour lines Tor progressive
and receang elevations Mount Washington, O. 2s6
river, the valley Of the Ammon0osuc, the valley OF
the Ellis river and other depressons were described
Eleven different rocks belonged to the White Moul-
tain series. The foundation Of Mount Washington
was OF granite; the mountain was raised from the
deep, with the MICA quite at It's summit, which could
now be SEEM and the mica glute not disturbed,
but simply borne upward by the upheavai OF the
earth. HIS paper went into rocks ana formations and
was good contribution TO geological literature.
Prof. THOMAS MEEHAN followed with paper ent-
tied "Tbe existence of two classes of male MOWERS IN
the common sweet chestnut, and the influence OF
triton on the SEX" He referred to his paper or last
year on the laws governing Sex In plants, In which
| the theory was proponnded that only the highest
grades OF vitality produced The female sex. He now
| would snow now Imperfect nutrition affected the
lower vitality IN favor OF the male sex. He eXhib-
TIED specimens OF the common sweet chestnut, show.
ing that there were Two classes OF male blossoms In
thus tree. One class appeared In tue axis oil the
leaves on inc weak branches. These mere the nulner-