Daily globe., 1883-08-16

double star observations of Stowe
and the zone observations of Bes-
sci and Argilander, the observations
were not arranged with reference to the
accomplishment Of definite object.
Fourth-That each catalogue involves a
system of errors peculiar to the observers,
to the character of the instruments en-
ployed and to the system of primary stars
selected, but that thus far there had been
no attempt to reduce the results obtained
by different observers TO a homogeneous
system.
The systematic devlations of different
catalogues III right ascension inter Sc were
noticed at an early date by several as
| tronomers, but the first attempt to deter
mine the law of these variations seems to
have been made by Stafford in communi-
cation to the monthly notices of the Royal
| astronomical societies in 1881.
The British Nautical Almanac and the
Connaisance des Temps are largely re-
| sponsible for the perpetuation of this class
of errors. For few years before and after
1860 the ephemerides of the Nautical AL
manac are based upon the observations of
Pond, which contain large periodic errors.
| 1t is found that the errors of this system
| have been transferred without sensible
L
observations depend upon nautical al
manac clock stars. At English observato-
ries it has been the custom to correct the
positions of the fundamental stars by the
observations of each successive year, but
this has produced no sensible effect in the
diminution of the periodic errors which
belongs to the fundamental system. The
periodic errors of the American epheme-
| ris followed nearly the same lead as the
errors of the Nautical Almanac, but their
magnitude is somewhat reduced. The er-
ror of equinox is also less.
| SECTION ''E.'
Section "E"-Geology and geography
organized by electing E. W Claypole to
the standing committee; j. W. Shipman,
T. G. Chamberlain and Warren
Upham to the sectional committee
and Prof. N. 81. Winchell to the
nominating committee. c, H. Hitchcock,
of Hanover, n. H, vice president, delivered
the address. There was, the speaker said,
a special appropriateness in the associa-
tion of geology and geography, for the
latter gives an account of the Topographic
cal features of the earth's surface, and if
we would understand the significance of
the earth's contours, we must unraveI the
| Ay oIOLACo W SCO1OSJs OO d RuOW10uG6
| topography is essential to the complete
comprehension of the geological features
of any country. Passing on in the eiimi-
nation Of his subject, the speaker said we
must assume the correctness of the com
monty received opinions concerning the
earliest history of our planet-that it
passed through the condition of
a nebula, and then of burn
ing sun. By subsequent refrigeration
it has become partially or wholly solid.
Not until this process had been completed
was it possible to talk of land and ocean.
Prof. Dana thinks the primitive land
originated because of the difference in
the rate of conduction of heat during the
process of refrigeration. The first areas
to cool would be the first to solidify. and
the first solidifed crust being heavier than
the adjacent liquid, sank until it found
fluid as dense as itself, and this process
continued, in time became continents.
The first land consisted of volcanic
islands. This was the lanventian or ezoic
accumulation. By the close of the ezoic
the continent was outlined. The more
important areas developed in this period
must have been Greenland, Canada east of
Lake Winnipeg, the Atlantic districts, the
Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevadas and
| AUAAO4OGo JULIUS Of fcI Iuo OOTulll6TdS. 1Q6
three great depressions of Hudson Bay, the
Mississippi Valley and the Salt Lake and
Nevada basins began to sink very early,
and the future growth of the continet con-
sisted largely in filling them up with
marine sediments.
After further explaining and illustrat-
ing his theory the speaker gave the follow
ing as his conclusions: We start with the
earth in the condition of igneous fuidity.
1t coos, so as to become incrusted and
covered by an ocean. Numerous
volcanoes discharge melted rock,
building up ovoidal piles of granite, which
change gradually into crystalline schists.
When these hills are high enough to over
look the water, they constitute the begin
ming of dry land. At the commencement
of Paloezoic time the continent is COM
posed of three immense basins located
near Hudson's bay, the Mississippi hydro
graphic area, and the great Nevada series
of land-locked valleys. The later history
of the development of the continent pre-
sents the details of the filling up of these
depressions, the expulsion of the Medit-
erranean sea, and the description of the
various forms of life that successfully
peopled the land and water. The history
opens with ingneous agency in the as
| CoAuduG' Aqueous anu organic forces be-
came conspicuous later on,and ice has put
on the finishing touches to the terrestrial
contour. The completed structure we
must acknowledge to be very good.
Biology.
At o'clock W. J. Beal, of Lansing,
Mich, vice president of section F, devoted
to biology, delivered his opening address:
Mr.. Beal began by saying he had chosen
to speak on agriculture, its needs and op-
portunities, subject which had heretofore
scarcely been mentioned at the meetings
of the association. Within uhe past few
years the progress in matters pertaining
to agriculture has been greater than ever
before. This he attributed to variety of
causes, such as the generous thrift and in
telligence of the people and the advance
ment of science. It is true and it is
| strange that it should be true that until
within recent period, but very little of
the best thought of civilized nations has
been devoted to subjects intended to ad-
/ vance aOricult0ra Mapv Of