New-York tribune., 1879-09-01
SCIENCE AT SARATOGA.
AN IMPORTANT sEssIOY.

OF its marvellous powers. Commander Lull
spoke of the relative merits of the Nicaragua
and Panama Canal routes, and observed
that Commission appointed by the
! United States Government decided in favor
of the former after careful investigation,
DIR. Draper furnished a valuable paper on
"Oxygen in the Sum-" and Mr.. Hornaday, who
spent some time in Borneo hunting ourangs,
describes the habits of that ami
NAL. Mrs. Z. a. Smith read a paper
on the agate industry in Germany, and
Mr.. Henderson gave the result of his In
quiries relative to the Indian supersttions
concerning serpents. The general business Of
the session was entertaining and instructive.
THE FOURTH DAYS SESSION.
THE TOWN HALL ALMOST TRANSFORMED INTO A
MUsEUM-THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEHEsTED-
PERSONAL OUTLINES OF PROFESSORS PIERCE AND
NEwCoMB.
TFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT o; THE rRIBuSE.l
SARATOGA Aug. 30.-The town hall = fast assum-
ing the appearance of "a museum with its incress-
ing number OF collections of specimens of all kinds.
The variety is immense and includes stuffed mons
keys picked sections of cats models cf the brains
of man and animals and preserved brains also. geo
logical and mining specimens in endless diversity,
gems and other artistic things Indian relics, scen-
THE instruments ana microscopic OBJECTS. lhefc
always an interested group in front of Professor
Wards ourang g-outang These are among the largest
Of such creatures exhibited in this country and
are mounted in admirable style. Unfortunately they
are very dead. but their attitudes and appearance
are so lfe-lke, aud the preservation il perfect,
that il is not dficult for spectator to persuade
himsef-with the help of "A vivid Imagination
that he is looking upon scene In the forests Of
Borneo. There are three ourang-outangs among
the trecs-two male and one female. The two of tho
serner sex are engaged in a furious fight. which
reminds one forcbly of a lively political dispute
In the lower ranks of 1ammany In the Fourth
Ward. One of the big man monkeys has got hand
of the other in bis jaws and is making his long
teeth meet in the flesh. The sufferers mouth is
wide open and one almost expects 10 heara yell OF
agony. The woman-moukey Uf Darwinism may
admit the term is cingng to a tree near at hand,
evidently in great terror. As the doctrine OF the
evolution of species hasa host of advocates In ths
association. the members study the habits of their
kinsfolk. illustrated in this combat, with tho
greatest cagerness. The fight will plainly result
in the survival of the fttest, tho pugst who has
improved on the methods of the prize-ring by tho
use Of h ,eeth being without doubt the htest in
this ease.
Among the greatest attractions Of the meeting is
the opportunity to study the faces Of the leaders Of
science in this country Professor Benjamin Peirce,
Of Harvard. is Of the most renowned IN this
assembly of men noted for learning. His profound
and interchangeable researches in mathematics hayo
brought him fame both sides of the Atlantic.
Time and toll have bent his short, compact figure q
little and silycred the heavy masses of long hair
that surround his venerable head His full beard IL
white also. aud his movements are deliberate. But
he is still far fom feeble. and many
years of fruitful work by him may yet be- hoped for.
r. aucr.rr t,.rnu of iuouirX i'm unswprv-
ing tenacty of resolution. in grasp of details as
well as of great principles. In logical force and IN
cearnes- of statement he has still all the vIgor of
his youth though he is Obliged 20 husband his phys
ical resources aud his voice is equal 10 long ad-
dresses as If old.
Another leader in the associ ton is Professor
Simon Newcomb. OF Washington, the famous as
tronOmer. Professor Newcomb Las not Tie face and
figure that usually associates with iIfe given
mp to hard study. lie * Of about mid liz height,
his frame Is broad and well rounded, wi,hoat port
illness, and his step is short and qlc.. Nhiskcrs
cover his checks but not his lips or chm, His face
is strong, pushing, aggressive, and shows
that he holds hs opinions firmly. IL is
not sicslied Der with the pale east OF
thought, but looks rather like the face Of
a railway manager a man of practicai ahairs IN
some other department OF business l!. aud not like
that of one whose nights and days arc devoted to
the study Of the heavens. But the r,,ai.s Of Pro
fessor Newcomb's labors, which have been given 10
the world shOv that his searching of hc skies has
been laborious. .rce,s and exceedingly important
in what it has accomplished. When Professor New
comb rises to speak be il always hoard with close
attention. and his able and telling presentation OF
his views is received with the utEos; respect,
often enforcing conviction.
The INTEROCTANIC CANAL
Commander +. +. Lull, of the United statcs Navy.
read Rs<eworthy paper IN Section 5 oa th" Inter-
oceanic Canal Problem, which De illustrated by
maps and diagrams. H. referring To- the surveys that
had been made he said:
Several lines have hecn actually located. and compu-
taons plans and estimates made for the construction
Of canals upon them. TAcse locations are accurate
enough for compHIon, ana little more Is claimed
for them. The tine means and force available
entirely inadequate for an exhaustive nai survey sIen
as should precele the actual work II construction Nor
gere any such surveys contenpat,d by III Govern
ment. Some adverse criticism has been INDUCED IN
recently by persons either entrly nisnformed a. 10
the metaods actually employed the OBJECT
in view, but am confident that any engineer who
shall read publishi reports will b. satisfied fully
that the object contemplated entirely accom-
pished. commission, appointed by the Prest
deut, consisting of General A. =, Humphreys, Ihef
OF gneers United States Ariny. the H,n {. T. Pat:
tcrson, Supcrutendcnt Of tue United satee Coast and
Grodetic Survey, aud kcarAdmigai D.Nic Ammcn.
Chief OF the Bureau OF Navigation of ie Navy D'pUt-
ment careful examination of the reports, plans,
etc, 81 the GlIseNt surveys. accheI tiat thr tOio
through tie Stae caragua affords advantages ON the
whole decidedly groater than those Of any other
second route, that Dy the Isihmus OF Panams, ~as
SHOWN To BE- entirely practicable These Two are The
nels, with a moderate Of lockage. No practi-
ca0e route Tor cna M the seh eFei has pern ouhI
at ali events whch IL practicable la COMMERCIAL
After referring 90 the prominence which had been
gwen the question By the recent action at Paris.
Commander Lull took up the Nicaragua route IN de-