New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-16

SCIENTISTS TO MEET IN WASHINGTON
THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES TO BEGIN ITS AN
NUAL SESSION THERE TODAY.

THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES TO BEGIN ITS AN.
NUAL SESSION THERE TODAY.
Washington, Apdl is (speolaD The annual stated
sesS,ons OF the National Academy Of Sciences win
begin in mis- city morrow, and It promises to be
one OF unusual interest The SUCCESSORS Of tho pres
dent, Professor o. c. Marsh the vlee-preSdent Pro
fsssor Simon Sewcomb, and the home secretary,
Professor Asaph Hail. will be elected, each for term
Of six years and five vacancies in the membership Of
the Academy will be filed For these vatancicS II Is
understood there are numerous candidates There Is
always sharp and earnest competition for such va
cancies for 10 most American scientists membership
Of the Academy Is regarded about the highest honor
atanabe, except the presidency OF thai distngusha
body.
Tho list Of papers TO be read at the coming session
already numbers fourteen, 10 which some additions may
vet be made THIS is al unusually long list
On wednesday night the session will be devoted In
part to the presentation through tho foreign secretary
Of r4e Academy Of the Watson medal and 800 In gold
10 Professor Edward schoenfold, Of tho University
Of Bonn, Germany, for his astronomical rosearnhes
and discoveries This is tho second Watson medal
awarded, the first one having been presented TO Dr.
r. A. Gould Of Cambridge, Mass, for his labors dur
ing nearly forty years In promoting tho progress 0f
astronomical science. Professor James C. watson
who was a member of the Academy, bequealhed TO II
s137S A part Of the annual income Is used TO
1roc,re Tod medal valued at 800, which. together
with 800 In gold, is awarded by committee ~ a
prize for researches and achievements In ASTRONOMERS
science, while the remainder IS devoted % oortAlln
astronomical computations based upon discoveries muo
BY Professor Watson IN his lifetime. ~
On Wednesday evening, also, surgeon J. 5. BnIhBs.
United States Army, who IS q prominent menDeI oI
the Academy will read q biographical memoir OF Pfo-
fessor Spencer Z. Baird, who died In August 1881
FORMING A NATIONAL SOCIETY OF GEoLoGlsIS'
washington, April is CspscaD.-For some timo the
leading geologiss of the country have been n con-
sultation and correspondence with view 10 the
formation OF National Society Of Biologists for me
promotion OF geological science. preliminary
organization has been effected. meeting Is 10 DO
held this week-whch is sort Of ~ scientific week.
In Washjngton-to adopt a constitution and bylaws
for the society for which Of incorporation will
be obtained as soon practicable. The officers OF
the organization as It exists arc: President
Professor James Hall, Of Albany, State GeoloHst OF
New. York first vioe-prcsident, Professor j. d. Dana.
Of New-Haven Conn second vicepresident, Professor
Alexander winchell OF Michigan University, at Ann
Arbor secretary Professor John J. Stevenson, OF tho
University OF the City Of NewYork; treasurer Pro
fessor Henry S. Williams, Of Cornell University.
Professor Han is regarded among HIS scientific
brethren as tho pioneer geologist Of the United
States He was assistant geologst Of the Geological
Survey Of the State of Eov-Yorh ty-three years
ago. In 1897 no was State Geolopst In ohargr of
the fourth district Since ls43 no has had charge OF
the palaeon Ologcal work OF the State Survey. He
has also been since 1866 the director OF tho State
Museum Almost half century ago, In ls40, he
was one OF the founders OF the American Association
OF GeOlogsts and Eaturalsts. He has boen a member
OF the National Academy OF Sciences since It's forna-
ten, and is expected to attend its meetings this week