Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-18

Annusf Meeting OF shs American
Associssioa.

Cleveland specid says: The thirty
seventh annual meeting OF tho American
Association for the Advancement OF Sci
ence began here to-day. Upward oil 100
distinguished scientists. mainly special
lists, are in attendance, many of them
prepared with papers to show the
progress OF science in its several
branches. During the year l37 papers
bavs been filed for acceptance. At
the morning session the retiring presi-
dent. Professor s. b. Langley, OF Wash
ington, briefly introduced the new presi-
dent, Major J. w. Powell, OF the geo.
logical surrey, who madea short speech
of acceptance. DR.. Cady Staley, dean OF
the faculty OF the Case School OF Applied
Science. delivered q formal address of
welcome. to which President Powell fit
tingly responded. The secretary re.
ported Lib new members elected yester-
day and to-day, principally local teachers
and others interested in scientific affairs.
DR.. Julius Pohlman was elected general
secretary.
A meeting of the Botanical Club was
held. with President David Z. Day, OF
Buffalo. in the chair. He recommended
that efforts I've made to organize the club
into a regular section of the association.
A eulogy was delivered OF the late Asa
Gray. Papers were read by Mr.. Thomas
Meeham, of Germantown, Pa, ON :" Di-
ncious LabiatR and the "Elastlc Fila
ments OF Stamina OF Composite" A
letter was read from George Vasey, the
United States botanist at Washingto
informing the club that he had prepared
a paper on american Desert Plants,
to be read during the meeting of the as
sociation. The following papers were
read Professor Fernon, "What Is a
Tree ?" the Rev. Mr.. Beauchamp, " In
dian Names of Plants Professor Nee
ham. Irregular Tendencies in 1'ubifo-
raj Composite"
In the afternoon the association di-
vided into eight sections, which will
meet daily 10 hear and discuss papers.
The principal events OF interest IN them
to-day were the addresses by the vice.
presidents of the various sections as fol-
lows: Mathematics and Astronomy
Osmond Stone, of the University of Vir-
GINA. on Motions of the Solar Sys-
tem," upholding Sewton's theory of
grayitstion Pbysicis-A. A. Michelson,
of the Case School, Cleveland, on "A
Plea for Light Waves, az basis for
measurements; Chemistry-C. u. Mum
roe, OF the Newport Torpedo Station,
on "Some Phases Of Progress in.
Chemistry" especially with reference to
corroborating the theory Of evolution
Geology and Geogrsphy-George II.
Cook. State Geologist of New Jersey, on
1.-THE international Geological Congress
and Our Part in il as American Geolo-
gists Biology--C. V. Riley, Govern
ment Entomoloeist, on 1.-THE Cause Of
Organic Variation, treating upon evo-
luton Anthropology-Charles @. Alb
bolt. Of Trenton. n. j., on Evidences
OF the Antiquity of Man in Eastern
North America" the burden OF. which
Was TINT neither the Indians nor
the EsquHnaux were the probable
descendants of the paleolithic man,
sdduced anywhere from $4,000 to
10000 years. Economic Science
Charles W. Smiley, of tine United States
Frh Commission, on "Altruism Con-
sidered Economically" -Four of these
addresses were more or less devoted to
endorsement of the theory Of evolution.
In the evening Professor Langley read
an able paper on "The History of a
Scientific Doctrine" A reception fol-
lowed. The yice-ppesidency OF the see
ton OF mechanical science Is vacant and
no meeting was held to-day