The New York herald., 1878-11-09
ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

CLOSE OF THE CONVENTION YEsTERDAY-THE
WORK ACcoMpLIsHED-ELEcrRIC LIGHT DIS
CUssED.
The last session Of the congress Of savans compos.
ing the National Academy of Arts and Sciences
held yesterday morning in the chapel Columbia Col
lege buildings Of East Forty ninth street aud
Fourth avenue. The Convention had expected to
finish its work the previous day, but owing to the
multiplicity Of subjects brought up for its considera-
ton the members decided to extend the time by
more session. The number Of members present.
however, very small the great majority OF those
who had delivered their addresses read their papers
scientific subjects having departed for their homes
in the different sections of the country.
The meeting assembled promptly at the appointed
hour, eleven o'clock. and called to order by Pro-
fessor Marsh, president Of the Academy. The min
utes Of the previous days session were read and
adopted. after which several papers of scientific
technical nature were read by their authors. These
addresses interlarded with desutory converse
ton and remarks by the members the topics intro
duced
The first and most important Of the papers read
ION the Efficiency Of Machines for Producing
Electric Light" by Professor John Trowbridge. The
writer went into the whole question Of the theory Of
the electric light and the causes by which It could be
Of the electric the did not to be
quite decided to its feasibility. He hoped however
for is successful accomplishment and gave glowing
picture Of the results that would be achieved should
the recent discoveries by Edison and others prove
to be practically applicable Professor Trowbridge
also read paper "The Rapid Demagnctixation Of
Nickel. Cobalt and Eon." showing the to which
this could be put in the mechanical arts. geo.
logical paper .'The Physical Structure and
Hypsometry Of Western Catskin." with remarks
the whole group. by A. Guyot. the next contri
button. II was purely technical Professor 8. Alex
ander read Brief Note Of the Total Solar Eclipse
Of January IL, $780, giving all the necessary data
TO position time Of transit exterior and interior
facts and other valuable information. Another geo.
lowed on THE Strategraphic Position Of the Laramie
Formation. This concluded the list Of papers be
presented and the society went into executive
to finish details of routine business. At about
o'clock, after short session Of little two
hours the Convention adjourned die
The whole work Of the Congress- comprised within
the sessions Of days has been very general and
at the time very thorough. 1t could hardly be
supposed that 40 many eminent men of learning from
views the important scientific topics Of the day
without advancing to very material extent the
cause Of general knowledge. The practical
usefulness Of the Congress hardly be
aggerated In nearly every paper produced
there valuable suggestions Of great in
the arts and manufactures which will at distant
day become things Of every day application. In
scientific point Of view the contributions Of Professor
Draper, embodying of the results Of his OBJ
servations Of the last solar eclipse. were highly
praised by all the members After about half hour
spent in general conversation the members separated.
Of them returning TO their homes Immediately.
others remaining in the city for few days Another
convention will be held next but the place has
not yet been definitely decided upon.