Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-27
QuaIitaItveIy.


Mr.. Hericks illustrated a simple appara-
tusfor students for quantitatiEe demonstra-
ton In the physical laboratory. He advo-
Gated that chemistry shoula be taught guam
tatively as well as q ualitatiyely.
The Polar Sea-That Modern Sphynx.
w. w. Wheildon, of Massachusetts,, read
paper on the atmospheric theory of an
ameliorated climate and an open sea in
the Arctic regions in controversion of the
gulf stream.
T. Leroy maintained that the course of
the gulf stream beyond the longitude of 40
degrees west was undetermined; that it did
not reach the Arctic basin; that if it did,
the temperature Of the waters was not ad-
aquatic to maintain an open sea or to &C.
count for Arctic phenomena. On the other
hand the heated air of the Equatorial re-
gions in well known movements of currents
Of air reaches the Polar circle with heat aud
moisture sufficient to account for an open
sea, for the phenomena that warm winds
from the north change snow to rain storms,
etc, and for the location of the pole of cold
so far south Of the pole of the earth. He
satisfactorily cOmbatted the gulf stream
theory, Offering proofs of the probable truth
of his theory. The paper is considered very
able, and has already attracted attention as
q full, clear statement Of the scientific phase
Of this interesting question.
Climate of the Sun.
H.F. Wallihg's papers on the tempera-
ture Of the sun, the chemical theory of
electricity and the direction of energy were
readmerely by the title
Why FL HOurs Make a Day.
j. D. Warner, New York, On the friction
of the progressive motion Of water in the
tide wave being less than the friction of the
returning under current upon the bottom
of the tide wave, does not leDgthen the
day. The object is TO show that the re-
turn current arising from the piling up of
the waters of the ocean against the eastern
shores of the Continent that the friction is
sufficient to overcome this and all other
elements of retardation, and the day is not
heightened as shown by observations.
Instrumental.
G. W. Hough-Use of automatic iDstru-
ments for registering meteorological phen
omena.
c. j. Wheeler, Chicago University, de-
scribed the polyscope, an optical lnstru
ment combining the essential features of
the polariscope and kaleidoscope, and ad-
hitting the use Of delicate Opaque objects,
etc.
sapphIrfcaI.
Prof. j. Lawrence Smith, of Louisville
The distribution of ruby and sapphire n
the United States, with exhibition of speci-
mems from Montana
Gec.whIlikinsI
Z. j.. Cope-th-ee articles on the gigsn-
tic mammals of the Genus Loxolopbodow,
the Eocene Genus Syroplathersem and
the geological age Of the coal Of Wyom-
ing.
Thos. G.. HDgard, of the coast survey
n crJscope ] demonstrate s. Many points
were suggested in regard to the fungus
found on the cotton plant being identical
nest wheat.
R. King, Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
plants and the circulation of insects.
81. h. Babcock, Of Chicago-Organisms
in drinking water,
DR.. Hilgard reported having established
the meridian Of Dubuque at seven degrees,
thirty-tve seconds east of north, after
which they Adjourned sine die. They meet
at San Francisco next year. Prof. j. Lev
ering, of Cambridge, is President for the
coming year. Tuesday and Wednesday
viii be given pleasure excursions.