New-York tribune., 1878-04-18
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

frPou 4 STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, April 16.-Although the sky was
lowering the annual meeting Of the Academy OF Sciences
attracted a crowded audience this morning. 1t is so
much novelty TO the seats well hed at these meet
ing that the event well worth recording There were
many ladies present which Is also unusual The mem
ber too were at numerous as they ever are at
meeting but years list Of those who were present
would serve for this, very fairly In all, counted
thirtyaye of their familiar faces which nearly half Of
the entire membership aud this Is as large an attend
ance as can be reasonably expected from them tin Con
gress sees III to make appropriation for their travel
ling expenses.
There were indications of q general change Of officers
this season; Professor Henry having expressed desire
TO resign the presidency while the Of Office of the
vce-prcsdent and Of the home secretary expire TINS
month In the circular calling this meeting Secretary
ilglrd mentions that election Will be held for the
officers whose terms expire. and that he begs leave To
decline reelection. His for this IL UNDERSTOOD 10
be that be tired of the OF Office ami Is anxious 10
reduce ms much as possible the work that he Is obliged To
do in various capacities. Nevertheless it Il TO be hoped
that he VIII be- induced to reconsider this Intention since
nobody can I'LL the office Of secretary better probably
ms well.
Professor Henry pressed his resignation president.
at the business session this morning. He mentioned
that he had preferred this request some five or six years
ago designing TO give place 10 some younger member.
lie was then met by circular signed by number Of
fee But IN the early part of last December Professor
Henry had slight stroke of paralysis in hand ac-
c0mpanicd by parOXy O pain through the region OF
the heart and oppression IN breathing Under compc-
tent medical examination the seat Of the disease was as
certiincd to he in the Kidneys and treatment in accord
ance with this view has largely restored his scath But
though gradually improving, Professor Henry feels
warned OF the necessity OF using his powers. both men
tai and ply sca with greater caution than hitherto.
His resldencc In Washington and his connection with
the Smithsonian Institution have been Of service to th"
National Academy, but he Tanks that dwelling here Is
not necessary candidate FOR his office, though II l.
for that OF home secretdry. Professor Henry fcSg
10 be alioNC to offer resignation TO take effect six
months hence, hoping that he interval his health may
be 80 far restored permit him to prepare sus
gcstions which he thinks Y be Of service TO the Acad-
cmy.
The members dli not upon this proposal but urged
Professor Henry to Withdraw his resignation, and it Is
hoped De- will comply with their manifest desire
lie referred to the contribution of fund Of 10000
for the use of himself aud family stating that be felt
douby grateful for this at a time when hs health in
doubtful condition. This fund has been contributed
by a number Of gentlemen well known in the larger
critics Of United States and presented 10 Pro
fcssor Joseph Henry expression of their high d-
probation Of his lifelong devotion 10 the interests Of
science The Income fund belongs 10 Professor
Henry and his family and the principal will be finally de-
voted 10 the establishment of fund under the control
OF the National Academy ~ Sciences. 10 be called the
"Joseph Henry FUND.- the interest Of which viii he
used to assist investigators In their scientific abo-
There j. already a fund Of about equal amount which
was left the Academy by Professor A. d. Bache. It,
first president and styled the Bacle Fund" the in
come Of which has been applied FOR similar purposes
during the past seven years.
At the opening OF the public session. Professor Henry
resigned chair Dr. WocOu Gibbs, the vce-prosi
The first paper the list was delivered by Pro
fessor Alexander Agassz who has Just returned from
deep sea dredging expedition IN the Gulf Of Mexico aud
adjoining His swarthy complexion is further
darlencd by exposure to tr pca sun; he spoke with
his usual rapdity Of uttcrance, II he thought he had
much to say aud little time 10 say it in.
CORAL REEFS II THE Gulf or MEXICO.
Tho tile OF Professor Agassizs essay was Formation
and Structure OF Aacrane Reef IN the lucatan Bank"
TIE reef referred appears at first sight to present
features incompatible with the general theory OF the
coral reefs OF this region forth by Mr. Darwin nut
on a more careful examination t confirms that theory.
Diagrams Of this reef exhibited IL Is nj the north
dametcrs of eight aud fourteen miles and rcsen-
be- an atoll such rs IS frequent IN toe Pacihc me
western composed Of continuous curve ~ sandy
islands. The depth Oh the outside OF TINS rhg,hanrd
reef great. No mention Is made OF thus reel by Mf:
Darwin Atos IN the Pacific formed in regions Of
subsidencc, where the edge has sunk WIN the rest,
slowly, Til only IL aud perhaps a central peak
are left above the waters the ring-shapcd edge
becoming the home OF the coralbmldng animals
But the theory OF the Florida reels 3nd others
that neighb0rhood including the Island OF Cuha,
IN he
examination OF the Alacrane reef Professor AgassL
found its slope rapid; the coral animals on the side
toward the wind were in state OF great activity where
the were dashng against IT, and there the growth
proceeded rapidly WtHn, the wind drove the breakers
condition, charged with the coral sand washed Oh from
the OF the coral. ON the western side, where
this sand was deposited the coIals were hed win 10
the surface and Their animals though alive, were not at
! Work very vigorously. sOundings showed the depths
within ring, indicating the direction Of the drl't Of
sand carried Ia the waier by which the rngke outline
OF the reef had been gradually completed. similar
L
Florida aud Key West reefs showing that their outlines
Taking section south to north across Cuba we shall
find similar conditions. The hills III the interior are OF
coral though 5000 10 10000 feet hlgh; hey contain
the same nOusks the same fossils as adjoining coral
reefs aud doubtless part Of the same OF eleya
tion. The shape o the Immense banks Oi FLORIDA con
centric with the reefs OF the present day and the whole
structure of those pateaus is also similar The foma-
On took place after the elevation had reached within
20 fathOms Of the surface then the coral begins To
grow Cuba Is the OF elevation. and eventually this
formation win MI the Whole space OF those waters
The elevation is comparatively recent Alacrane reef
will an epitOm OF the whole Similar obserV-
tions had been made on toe neighb0ng coast oil sou
America. and Professor Agussiz believes there ~ eyl
denco TO show that beiO tins elevation and late In the
Tertiary period the place occupied by the istmus
of Panama the seat OF great equatorial current
which has produced markcd enect upon the Iauna Oi
adjoining oceans.
A sUBsIDENCE BEFORE THE ELEVATION.
Professor Hilgard said that this evidence made havoc
with theory which he had indulged that subsistence
had taken place the West Indies and the islands
the submits OF old mountain region He had even
fanced that the old civilization Of Central America
might once have covered land which had since subsidized
But he willing resign this theory. Professor
Agassz said that his information respecting the interior
hills OF Yucaan impressed the belief tha they old
coral reefs elevated.
Professor l.. ID. Cope said that OF the islands Of
the Antilles must have been connected within historic
period, Judging from their mammals and other fauna
he would place the connection in pliocene perhaps
post pocene age Some OF these islands small
that they could not have developed this fauna could
have supported such life Professor AgassiZ SAID he
was sure tnat the formation OF coral reefs mucn
more recent but ne thinks that subsidence may have
preceded eieYatiOn. Professor GIN said that there