The New York herald., 1870-08-19
THE SAVANs OF 1870.
Tho State of Michigan in Science-gecond Days
Transactions of the American Association
for the Advancement OF scisnce-MaS-
netic Wells, Iron Orc and 0ilbsaring-
Limestone Discussions Of Physical
and Metaphysical Problems
Taoy. Auuust ls. 1870.


TROY, August IS, 1870.
The organization OF the Association for the Ad-
vancement OF Science was completed yesterday ut
three p. M.-the Convention dividing into two Sec
tions-Sectlon for the discussion of physcs and
Section for the discussion OF natural history and
kindred subjects Section meet at the hall of the
Female Seminary. Professor E. c. Pickering. or Bos-
tOn read paper the dispersion ana the POSSIBLE
ity OF attaining Perfect Achromatlsm and was fol-
lowed by ProfessorAlired NJ. Mayer with valuable
and exceedingly luminous paper on researches In
electro-magnetism Professor Mayors Views and In
vestgatiOns were received with the utmost enth,l-
siasm. Professor Winchell and Mr.. E. Loomis, Pro-
lessor OF Natural History, then followed with discus
siOns OF astronomical questions.
In section "B" the proceedings were continued by
paper from Professor f. s. Morse, on the "Early
stages or Descina" The most lucid and valuable pa-
per OF the day was by Professor A. Winche, In whcn
he gave Typographical description Of the northern
peninsula OF Michigan. He said that this vast ter
ritory was covered with Marshes and that formerly
these spots were the situations Of inland lakes. He
said that he had discovered the remains Of mast0-
dons and elephants az depth OF less than three
below the surface. AT a depth OF two and
half feet he had also found ike remains, snd
this ON a peaty sofl intermingled with
sand and loan. seven feet below the surface finr
arrow head had also been found and the inference.
therefore, that this arrow head had been three
times longer In the soil than the mastOdOn. Pro-
lessor Wlnchell then described at length the vast
mineral resources OF the upper peninsular the large
deposits OF pig iron and the high value OF this
mineral for commerce. Professor Winchell said IL
was the finest ore In that wealthy mineral region.
The Pacific Railroad, he SAID, would pierce this
track with one OF its branches and that this very
ore could be used as ballast for the road.
This track was walled in by bluns OF
limestone $50 feet feet high. and the remains OF an
cient outlet Of Lake Superior could be seen in the
Vicinity He also referred to glacier action in the
excavation he described. All through the wonder.
full country there was plenty Of productive meadow
land. The Professor made every one hungry by a
description Of the speckled trout, large and fas.
found in the adjoining waters. He had known sixty
pounds OF trout to be caught In hour the largest
measuring nineteen and a half inches In length
and twelve inches around the body.
Mr.. Hail, State GeolOgist, then to controvere
the position OF Professor Winchell upon the Masto
loD and discussion ensued In which nothing was
proved.
Mr.. Edward d. Cope followed, ION the Homologes
of the Cranial Bones of the Primary Types Of Rep
tiles" He entered into the physiology Of DecynO-
dons and ichthrosauri and though no doubt learned
his Investigations partO0k too much OF techncalty
and tedious details be interesting the general
listener.
This paper concluded the labors Of the day.
PERSONNEL OF THE CONVENTION
From what can be observed thus far there appears
lack of efficient organization in the association. do
not refer to the oesonne which is certainly as dis
tnguished as that Of any body in the UnlOn but 10
the s0ciety's means for accomplishing ends. Tho
question is. what will the association accomplish
after pr0tracted meeting, IN which every subject
connected with modern science Is discussedy Let
us look at the members themselves They may be
divided into nve classes.
ne FIRST class consists Of accte. profound and
professional scientists, Of which Professor Agassz,
+ Sterry Hunt aud S. s. Haldeman are representa-
tive examples. They are authors.
The Second Class Is comprised OF professors OF col
eges. Official geologists and men with museums OF
searches to books and Cabinet collections They can
be distinguished from the first In that the first
vellers, explorers and men relying upon personal
The THIRD Glass comprise the amateur scientists.
gentlemen OF means and scientific tastes. Their
Connection with the association is generally OF long
years. and the advocates OF no pet theories they
sical and metaphysical view. Though place them
third, they are by no means inferior to the first.
The Fourth Glass embraces what Is contained
under the reproachful adjective progressive"
They are free In their convictions, ana often
spoken spTitualists. In most parts they are ad.
| the presence OF actual demonstration.
Yhe fUfh Class, and last, shall ne named the
religion any Views that w 1ne Bb Si
and yet with these five classes, the clergy has
been thorn. otherwise, 1t Is true that their
presence here checks an irresponsible assertion thar
might proceed from infdelity, and annihiates all
theories based upon gloomy mysticism.
These several elements OF the association inyestl.
gate subjects without limit In their prOfundity and
application and read papers, the result OF patient
| research and lab0red thought; and when the con.
vention adoufns the papers are printed as trsnsac-
tQnS and soon forgotten. This Is all there
| the American Association for the Advancement Of
Science. Now, where is the radical wrong? 1t can
be found In its constitution There is no provision
for united expression or for any official mandate
any question in issue, it might as well nave
porate existence at ALL The fact is 1t is only de-
batting society not whas IT might be- with Its intel
| would be respected throughout the Union The
proper measures to give this body dignity would be-
| F1rst-To allow no papers TO be rejected modified
| or smOthered by any committee.
| .SecOnd-To permit the widest range of inquiry,
| physical and metaphysical.
Thtrd-The reference Of every paper to five OF the
ablest scientists OF the Convention for their report
| FOuru-The discussion Of this report In open con-
| venti0n.
FUth-The recognition Of the principle attempted
| to be proved or its rejecnon.
S'Iti-At the end OF the session cOdlfied set OF
laws embracing all the truths discovered by disqui
sition or discussion, and these laws be published
and promulgated as the scientific Jurisprudence oi
It is only by process OF this nature that the con-
yent1On can hope to leave permanent impress after
It's annual labors. There is much stun ana RUBBISH
| brought here, and every one has to suffer
the inficton. This should be rejected and what Is
really valuable be preserved. The actual necessity
Of set of scientific truths as the result OF tine labors
Of the Convention Is not only necessary Its cOrpo-
rate dignity but also as an exhibit OF Its scholar
| SHIP II would be very easy matter for instance,
for the society to affirm by vote It's opinion upon
doubtful problems In natural history, ana 1t would
be received with respect; for the country is now
| overwhelmed by connjctng essays, one man main.
tanlng that the mastodon 1ourshed about this city
and another that this species did not. Chemistry,
| the most positive science, needs little onicial sup
port; but electricity and divers other branch sub
Jecs have no hXeuness in theory. should the Con-
vention adjourn without taking steps of the nature
described the proceedings cannot have more indu-
| ence upon science than the harangues before the
| Liberal Club OF New York.
SECOND DAY-MORNING SESSION.
The association met this morning at the Court
House at ten O'Clock. Professor HINT presided, and
large amount of preliminary business was disposed
| OF. At haf.past ten the Convention adjourned and
broke into sections, further divisions having been
| made. Mr. Hermann VOgel an eminent photo.
| graper from Berlin, and belonging to the Royal
| Academy, was presented to the association, and