National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-25
ACADEMY OF SCIENCE.

FOURTH AND CLOSING SESSION OF THE
ASSoOIATION-READ OF INTER
ESTING PAPERS.
The fourth and last session OF the National
Academy of Science was held yesterday at tht
Smithsonian Institution, Prof Henry, the presf
dent, in the chair. The attendance of member
was large.
DIR. Besssls, of the Hall exploring expedition
read paper on his recent voyage.
Professor Bessels said that among the Other
passages which have lately been regarded as the
best gatewsys to the North Pole, 1t seems proba
Bile, Judging from all experience, that Smith,
mel Of almost three hundred miles In length, and
at some places twenty five miles wide separates
Greenland from Grinnelrs Land and the archi.
pelago lying south Of II, Q channel of q similar
nature can scarcely be found II connection Ia
made with Baffln's Bay and Davis Straits unless
the Red Sea is Fegarded as the only known geo
The discovery Of this channel dates back to the
sixteenth century. In July, 1916, Smiths sound
bay the end Of WHICH he Vas n6t eSIs ~ ses TS
sound was crossed ials52 by Ingelfeld, without
the slightest difficulty, over the places where
ranges. The brilliant cruise Of ingefieid, which
was made during few summer months. persuaded
Kane to continue the researches during the fol-
lowing year. He reached with his ship latitude
7se 81 and one OF his sledge parties in the spring
Of 1854 Travelled to Cape Constitution 800 25 north
sighting land yet beyond $50 on the west coast.
point Of Greenland, which now however has been
disproyed. Captain Hall was more fortunate in
his Polarls expedition, which reached 800 10, and
latitude. He discovered that the land extends
beyond 500 north latitude, and that land found
between SO and $50 seems TO demonstrate that
Greenland has been separated from America.
Yet the conclusion is presented that America and
Greenland In former geological ages were con-
nected: By what agent the separation was caused
can only be surmised. There are, however, only
two probabilities, viz either the channel is rs
sure which gradually widened, owing to the in
nusnee Of the current, or It has been moved by
seems TO be the more probable.
He also presented specimens Of stone found, and
explained the country by maps.
On the conclusion OF DR.. Bessels' report, Prof
Newbury arose and said the thanks Of the Acad-
envy are due to those men who took their lives in
expedition. He as member returned his heart
felt thanks to them and felt sorry that the death
Of the leader, Capt. Hall, had to be recorded.
work will be fresh in the minds Of the people
He then congratulated DR.. Bessels on bis safe re-
turn.
Prof. E. LOOMS was the next speaker He ex-
planned the maps Of the United States signal ser
vice used in designating the course Of storms. His
explanations were i'm every respect interesting
Prof. NeWcomb next explained the large tele-
scope now at the Observatory (already described
in the REPUBLIcAE).
OF the land flowers and their relation with geoog-
ical history. In this connection he submitted
photographs OF the flowers.
Prof, Hlgard read, for Prof. Alexander, pa-
per on the thenominal appearance Of the three
saterlites Of Jupiter,
Captain Dalton, United States ordnance CORDS
read Q criticism on the contractioual hypothesis
of the earth's surface changes, and explained his
subject by illustrations on the blackboard
Prot. ). ID. Warner. ~ ,.,ss,,aA +.
eet OF ec-cficienls In the place Bernonlles
numbers He claimed that these in many cases
shorten and aid I'm rapid development of all the
lower classes Of terms. This paper closed the
session Of the academy, after which 1t adjourned.
were photographed yesterday BY Mr.. Smiley,
photographer Of the Smithsonian Institute