TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALBANY INSTITUTE. ALBANY : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY WEBSTER AND sxInnE eee ALBANY; G.C. AND ff. ee SOLD ALSO BY LITTLE AND CUMMINGS, W-YORK, AND JUDAH DOBSON, PHILADELPHIA 1830. ity, bor. tan 1974 PART I. CONTENTS. List of Officers for the year 1828, - - = - averGpenieh i ee ee Art. I. Table of Variations of the Magnetic Needle, co- _ pied from one furnished by the late Gen. Schuyler to S. De Witt, Surveyor-General, - - Art. il. On _ Os stot Appearance of the Ocean. By Lieut. emcees nee Corres- Seine Sioa - - - “ ArtIII. On the Geographical Botany of the United States. Part 1. By Lewis C. Beck, M. D. é Art. TV. On some Modifications of the pagers 0 tic Apparatus. By Joseph Henry, ‘ Art. V. Notes on Mr. Pickering’s ‘‘ Vocabulary of Words and Phrases, which have been supposed to be peculiar to the United States,” with sere: Ob- servations. By T. Romeyn Beck, - Art. VI. On the Uvularia Grandiflora, as a Remedy for the Bite of the Rattlesnake. By James G. Tracy, Art. VII. An Examination of the Question, whether the Climate of the Valley of the Mississippi, under iv CONTENTS. similar Parallels of Latitude, is warmer than that of the Atlantic Coast? By Lewis C. Beck,M.D. © = 34 Art. VHT. Observations on the Geological Features of the South Side of the Ontario Valley, in a Letter to T. Romeyn Beck, M. D. zs James —— Civil Engineer, - . - - 55 Art. IX. Statistical Notices ats some of the Lunatic Asy- lums in the United States. By T. Romeyn Beck, 60 Arte X. Observations on the great Greywacke Region of the State of New-York. By James O. Morse, of Cherry-Valley, Corresponding Member, = of New-York, and 12, is given, a sketch of a grea . 162 the literary history of N. iets 195 6. 8 Seep toe Boag oie: And 5. To diiiuse the shee hgee og Sp t of other and encourage the : . 163 pure morahty, 3. © <2 - 6. ‘e Art. XXI. Notice of the — of A meetORe By George W. Clinton. - ae 233 vi CONTENTS. Page. Art. XXII. On the apparent Radiation of Cold. By Benjamin F. Joslin, M. D., Prof. Math. Union Col- lege, Corresponding Member. _ - - 286 Art. XXIII. Elements of the Solar Eclipse of Fe- | bruary 12th, 1831: Together with a particular Cal- : culation for the Latitude and Longitude of Albany. By Stephen Alexander, A. M., Corresponding Mem- ber. see ac O49 PLATES. No, 1. eee ney ape 2. +h GSiata f ONT Wau od ee ee 3. Conus ‘Mai Marvisndtcit: Pealii; Leucosticus ; Mamillaris, Dolium Zonatum. 5. Ranunculus lacustris, 6. The Sun at the instant of its iain b tion, Feb. 12, 1831. Be See idee ee TS ae i MSE AUR oi eat Eire aaa sony ip eee S ? a. = ease Be e ERRATA. Page 15, line 24, dele speci 16, line 8, for “ oppose a read contradict. 4’ in Professor GREEN’s Communications. Page 121, line 2, for “ aut read four 131, line 20, for ** Gallea which ne read Galea which has. m bottom, for “a,’ read an 136, line 18, for young,” read variety. 136, — dele. Th tated to be th ce of the M. Canaliculata, is described by Mr. Say as M. ae Errata in Mr. Butter’s Discourse. Page 186, line 15, for “ the languages,” read ‘ the modern mm languages.” 197, line 4, trom bottom of page, for “ attack,” — “ attacks.” 199, line 5, from bottom of page, after ‘“ estimate,” insert * of.” | ae 44, line 13, add jun. to S. Ton Rensselaer. 46, line 13 from the bottom, for “ 1829,” read 1821, Catalogue of the Library. No. 4, for ‘*2 vols.” read 1. No. 76, for ** 14th,” read 18th Congress. Ss No. 77, for **3 vols.” read 2, and add documents for 1803, List of Donors. Add to N, F. Beck, rhe of a 91. Add to Websters and Skinners, No. 38. No. 67 is in Pamphlets, vol. 5 5. No, 68 is in Pamphlets, vol. 7. ee hers 2 eae eae Deity oi oaks Mi ony ee Poh Be aca ~ = peo toe mae Deed tia letg Sn a 4 at TRANSACTIONS OF THE ALBANY INSTITUTE. VOL. L—PART I OFFICERS OF THE ALBANY INS TITUTE,, FOR 1828, President. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER. Vice-Presidents, SIMEON DE WITT, T. ROMEYN BECK. Treasurer. WILLIAM MAYELL. Corresponding Secretaries. PETER GANSEVOORT, M. HENRY WEBSTER. HENRY W. SNYDER, RICHARD V. DE WITT. Labrarian. | JOSEPH HENRY. Curators. LEWIS C. BECK, M. HENRY WEBSTER, GEORGE W. CLINTON, RICHARD V. DE WITT, WILLIAM COOPER. ct sah be a? ret PRES ee Phat s. s aadit OYE ao Hitt. poh Fees ite TRANSACTIONS te THE ALBANY INSTITUTE. JUNE, 1828. Advertisenent. . _ The Ausany InstrTuTE is composed of two Societies, which for various awe of time neh oar in i echind e mes a Eihony yr of ‘Na slanat Festerat "Curcumeteneet not neces- sary to be explained, led to an union of effort and property between their members and other citizens, and as a necessary consequence, to an enlargement of the objects of investigation. The present title of the association was adopted, under the idea that it would comprise the pursuit, both of science and literature, in their most extensive sense, It has been deemed advisable to commence the publication of some of the papers read before the Society. The members do not flatter themselves that they will greatly add to the general stock of knowledge—they may hope, however, that their efforts will tend to disseminate a taste for it. 4 Variations of the Magnetic Needle. Art. I, Table of Variations of the Magnetic Needle, copied from one furnished by the late Gen. Scuvyirr to S. De Wirt, Surveyor-General. Presented 27th April, 1825. I now present to the Institute, for the purpose of having it pre- served, what I consider an interesting document. It is a Table shewing the changes in the variation of the magnetic needle at Bos- ton, Falmouth and Penobscot, from 1672 to 1800, embracing a period of 128 years, copied from a paper furnished me by the late General Schuyler. The difference of variation between the two epochs appears to be 5° 53’, giving a little more than two and three quarters of a minute for the mean annual variation, or the rate at which the north point of the needle approached the pole from the west, during that period. As long as I can remember, the surveyors in our country, in re- tracing old lines, have allowed at the rate of three minutes per year, and acquiesced in the correctness of that rule till the year Some time after I settled in Albany, which was in 1785, I estab- ' Jished a true meridian, on which J Sy ERE set a compass for the purpose of observing the variati beervations | ind hie Ye of : 807 : KS Suttle sees Se aes SO a te Bye vee ae: 2 eal ee ere iden change had t ? 5 when to m 805Uaij place in the direction of the needle. And, in order to pi la its extent, | examined a number of lines, which had been run before. Among others, the courses of the Great Western and Schenectad. Turnpike tock which in 1805 had been surveyed by Mr. John , junr. then attached to my office. The result was as fol- lows :— 1805, July 30, Great Western Turnpike Road, N. 61° 45 W. 1807, Sept. 4. do, Ny. 61°; oe July 30, Schenectady Turnpike Road, N. 35° 20' W. 1807, Sept. 4. do. N. 34° 35 W. Making a difference on each of 00° 45/ oe two years and a month, the needle had « contrary to its former direction of annual variation, about forty-five minutes of a degree. An examination of several other lines confirmed this aie ‘ ' ‘ariations of the Magnetic Needle. 5 ] blished , hav- A view along the meridian, which I had fe ing for several years been obstructed by sdb: I made obser- vations assisted by Mr. Randel, on the Ist, 2d, 3d, & 4th October, 1817, with a good transit instrument, for the purpose of drawing a meridian line across the public square in this city; the particulars of which are contained in the 2d part of the 4th volume of the Transactions of the Society for the Promotion of useful Arts. —The needle was then found to point 5° 44’ to the west of north. An ob- servation made on the Ist August, 1818, shewed it to be 5° 45’, and on the 24th of the present month of April (1825) between 9 and 10, A. M. it was exactly 6° 00’ ; all which shews that there has been since {817 a retrograde motion of the needle of about two minutes per year—whethér this is general or local, I have not had the means ofascertaining. Mr. Joseph Henry, a member of the Institute, sur- veyed a farm in the town of Coeymans, not many days ago, which had been run by the late John E. Van Alen, one of the best survey- ors of our ss in — and the variation was found to be one degree, as nearly as t , in the same way ; that is, from the north to the west. It will be recollected that in 1806, a total eclipse of the sun, of uncommon a duration, ook its range 0 over our -colintry. as I be ‘ at The hat effluvia. eantered to the earth by the — ~ the iter on that i i ——_ have had an agency described. 1.* Be that as it may, there appears to be ll remarkable: in the coincidence of these occurrences, na Memoir which I had the honor of reading before the lastitate ie time since, on “ the Functions of the Moon,” which will probably appear share future publication of our Transactio ions, I have Qe effect on on ie polarity of the magnetic needle Table of Variations of the Magnetic Needle. 6 i. a yerr =e om wir g wee on ~ me SS OSGAADA GD SEA°Ssgre 10 ble ca e ee a ee MPA OM Jo sossqyorg sijoq] “bsg ‘dountxr sy xuoe 4q—suoneaza OF 1 JO Spunooor ysol.1v0 oy) Woy 4uooR{pe syed ey) pur ‘uojsog UT | Bl'Ze ‘op ce 8 GS “op OOBT ©} SLLI "BPE Bc ‘op a 8 oS ‘op SLLI 9} OSLI ‘spoysod 08"FE “Op : : e5! ‘Op OSL 9) SELT eq} [Je Jo uvayy 69°83 ‘op So's 8 “Op, SSL 9} OOLT Shoe 0} sjunowe ‘saved g-] TT Ut nova er L8Ly'/G SI POUsIayIp jenune uvow oN) OOLI ©} SLOT woz. e. SZIBLEL,TO ‘210 owes oq} a : UBS 8} Hu8 nak’ 18S 8b 5 oO “Bip yenuey uvayy Table of Variations of the Magnetic Needle: eo'9 eS souezegrp suvek gz fT et PI clo SI Sse Oost El FI ial 63°9 Ff ces S6 ial PL £r'9 Lal ogee . O6LI : al PI Leo bt +9 es PL | FL Ith br st’ OSLT $s SI | PL So L eI seo GL Sl bl at 68°L 4 oro OL : L L ESL L y A Sel sl i ‘8 Sr. batt | t9 13 61 e's BG «| OL | Ze St LI ses tI orL 1 OCLT ae py ie ee 3 ee eA te tees a ee ia * EF 8 Lauminous Appearance of the Occan, Arr. IL On the Luminous Arpgarance of the Ocean, by Lieut. Tromas R. Incauus, U.S, Army, Corresponding Member. Read March 26, 1828 This beautiful phenomenon, which once bore the poetical title of ‘* phosphorescence of the ocean,” has more recently I believe rest- ed between two solutions: that it is caused by animalcula, or by the ovula of fishes. ‘The writer in a recent foreign periodical, in- clines to the former opinion—viz. that the luminous appearance of the ocean is caused by animalcule. As I have been for some time inclined to the opposite view of this subject, I am induced to sub- mit an account of some observations made a few years since in the humble pursuit of science. In the practice of sea bathing at night, in a southern latitude, I had of course noticed and admired the beautiful sparkling of the water when agitated or resisted—but the myriads of bodies of whatsoever sort which emitted these corruscations, were alike in- visible and impalpable. On one occasion however 1 struck my arm against a small soft mass, which immediately emitted a flash of two or three inches in diameter, But the mass eluded my attempts to secure it, as it was invisible the moment it parted from its acciden- tal contact with my arm. eit occurred, sey exp times we” and I began to think I perceived a sensa' . wh I struck one of these bodies, Goon ege how fie Toco P ke deceived by the almost irresistable association of light and heat in the mind. A very large one ultimately convinced me I was not deceived ; awe sensation being on this occasion perfectly distinet— grateful— continuing for a minute or two after the touch. 'The masses of marine ovula, left by the tide to heat and hatch on the beach, I had long before observed through the whole pro- cess of vivification. First, a transparent mass of jelly—next mark- ed by a white opake speck a little distant from the centre—third, _ this spot fringed with a red border, of the colour of arterial blood ; next, a kind of irregular pulsation, ——— by the develope- Pe cera, ud SSUES WE VW EEE bing . VA OU VULGL large red lines, in radial directions from the focal i “ee a i Cu Dy PAVESI PEAS Speck uig : ; e afta hi L k. piHimately Jaf +} 3 and SA YS ee 444 i - 7 rieinine’ « se 2c eee 2 3s B ks Mars i a RS ak eR ee a 4 5 ie 4 gt Pe, ee oe ee o a =P sf ~ Tha . ee the perfect. ani- pe) re a? oo eh; See bi E = “= w 2 e< Luminous Appearance of the Ocean. 9 mal, apparently in the full possession of life ;. certainly exercising the important function of apprehension of danger. The identity of this ovulum, with the luminous bodies I encoun- tered in the water, appeared probable, from their size, consistency and abounding in the same regions. It was soon after ascertain- ed: for on a night when the sea was. somewhat agitated, I observ- ed the same corruscations in the waves breaking on the succeeded in obtaining several of the illuminating bodies, by the light of their own flashes. ‘They appeared, as I expected, identical. When examined by candle-light, to overcome the glare of their brilliancy, and at the same time observe their action more clearly, the power of illumination appeared to reside in a similar focal point to that described as the place of the first phenomena of vivification ; and the flashes which could be procured by irritating the mass with the end of a pencil, diverged from this point in lines similar in mag- nitude and direction, to the large red ones, mentioned in that pro- eess. Fregret, that it did not occur to me to electrically insulate one of these bodies, and endeavour to gbtain shocks; but I was too much occupied with the question above stated, to avail myself of the means in oY ae of making some interesting experiments on the Aig Mal | : bodies in the ocean, ‘been before recorded, and there is, Tee a paper on this subject, by Dr. Mitchill, published ten or twelve years ago; but it is thought some parts of the observations are not on record, and The conclusions I formed on this subject were, that in this in- stance a luminous appearance in the ocean was produced by ma- rine aha ; = = a — of philosophising, all such appear- another source, and not inconsis- tant with this cause, are fairly assignable to the same origin. Watervliet Arsenal. 10 Geographical Botany of the United States. Arr. III. On the Grocrarnican Borany of the United States>. By Lzwis C, Brcx, M. D. Parr I. Read March 26, 1828. The science of Geographical Botany has for several years re- ceived distinguished a a 2 celebrated ——— — tanists. Linneus, the fi his name, made the first dontinbutions to this interesting depart- ment; but it is since his time that the facts which have been col- atta, have been moulded into form, and that their practical appli- cation has been pointed out. In the accomplishment of this great work, the researclies of Wahlenberg, of Humboldt, and of Robert Brown, are conspicuous. These have been succeeded by others in various parts of Europe, and vegetable geography has now become a subject of general’interest to all who are engaged in investigating the products of vegetation. Hitherto these efforts, on the other side of the Atlantie, have not’ been seconded by any corresponding ones in our country ; and for all the facts that we possess concerning the distribution and history fits vegetable productions, we are indebted wholly to the works of foreigners. But in these, many incorrect positions are advanced and many interesting — Bree wean sien ron we a mis ) ee Se Se ee te intel Enc rishi sa at TN be FF £25 WAS re ~ - ‘ a — 7 ~- i 2 oy € ieee SP ach adlng —~.: ae ft ee aes eee “: found scattered through ‘ous ie armals and ae trans- actions of scientific societies, which pechiaps seldom meet ae eye of foreign botanists. Satisfied that a more complete examination of the Geographical. Botany of the United States, would amply repay the labour necessa-. ry for its completion, I devoted myself a: cg seatiiosr: the fall conviction, that ine science, ness of collecting facts must sisceile the establishment of genera! principles. The result of these —— _ am now w induced to present, in the hope that, should they be w enral reader, they may at least of some value to the sles. ographer. Asan introduction to my remarks, it i e—that the territory at present claimed by the United States, sitands from the 25th to the 54th parallel of north latitude, and from the 67th to Georgraphical Botany of the United States. ID . the 124th degree of west longitude from London; its extreme length being 2780 English miles; its greatest breadth 1300 miles, and its area about 2,300,000 square miles—That this immense territory is traversed by two great chains of mountains, in a direc- tion ca SET. to — — south: the Alleghanies on the east side, west ; ‘the former’varying in height from 2500 to 4000 feet, the latter readhting the height of 12,000 feet—thus dividing the whole territory into three regions, the east- ern, the western, and the middle ; the lattér comprising the great basin or valley of the Mississippi. By an inspection of the earth’s surface, it is found that those plants which possess the lowest degree of organization, are most extensively disseminated. ‘Those which are placed on the very confines of vegetable life, and are almost blended with inorganic nature, are distributed every where upon the earth, when circum- stances favourable to their production occur. Of this number we wid —— _ ge ote —_ and the Lichens, meee, are ag Nee a car. a distantes fret the nae “it ‘Rurspe and New-Holland,” ‘accord: ing to Robert Brown, ‘‘ have a number of Lichens, almost indeed ‘two-thirds of those which have hitherto been discoverd in Pacis | of the same species with those that exist in Europe. Of to New-Holland and to Europe. And with respect to “e gd not only Conferve, but Fuci, are common to the most distant seas. Laminaria Agarum, Lam. for instance, is found in Greenland, in Hudson’s Bay, in Kamschatka, and in the Indian Ocean. ‘Haly- drys siliquosa, Lyngb. Spherococcus ciliatus, Ag. and many oth- ers, have a distribution equally extensive.” (DeCandolle and Sprengel’s Elements of the Philosophy of Plants, p. 265.) So far as we are acquainted with the Cryptogamous plants of our own country, they offer no exception to the remarks just offered. ‘Not only do the Fungi, the Alge and the ——— of = different parts resemble each wine but man ny of the Hep losses are found from one extreme of the continent to the other. But it should — be remarked, that the Cryptogamous plants of the United States are as yet very imperfectly understood, and hence no sure data are furnished for examining tbeir distribution. This will be sufficient- — when it is stated, that the number of these plants enu- the second edition of Muhlenberg’s- Catalogue, in 12 Geographical Botany of the United States. 1818, is less than 900, including the Filices.* If any reliance is to be placed on the comparative number of Phenogamous and Cryptogamous plants in other countries, probably some thou- sands will be added to the above list when our botanists direct their attention to the investigation of this class of plants. It should be mentioned that L. de Schweinitz has already added a great number to the list of Hepatic Mosses and to the Fungi.t Future examina- tions will bring to light a proportionate number of neglected species belonging to the other orders, and will justify the conjecture which has been made. _ Passing by, therefore, for the present, these neglected objects of the vegetable kingdom, I shall confine myself exclusively to the Fhenogamous plants, of _— prepably, the per ‘pats indigen- Still it cannot be doubted that a ciniaiderabia scaler have escaped notice, as many parts of the country have been quite imperfectly The section of country included within the limits of the United States and Territories, as defined previous to the cession of Louisi- ana and the Floridas, ae been ae — he consideenire care, and its botanical ; ] d in vari- ous local and general Flores. “The most important are gi of panier, eins C a bss Michaux ; and of oe more recent ones, a L s contain description Alleghanies, species found iid of that range. o* aiien: to shin,’ a few Sieh ae ms talogues have been published of pene — = eo. fai’ of the western region. Such areac Cin- cinnati, in Dr. Drake’s Pieces Silslowue of alanis. found near Louisville, in Kentucky, by Dr. M’Murtrie, in his sketches of Louisville. A list of plants in the neighbourhood of Cannasarga river, (Cherokee country) published in the Ist volume of Silliman’s Journal—Contributions to the Botany of Illinois and Missouri, by the author of this essay, in vols. 10, 11 and 14 of the same work, &c. * These, however, were with few exceptions, found in Pennsylvania. + Schweinitz’s manuscript, containing an account of 1373 — found in Upper , was edited by Schwaegrichen in 1823, under the title of “ Synopsis Fun- gorum Caroline aa» in bs a eer 4to; and - : — a ile sing ger to observe, how many of these a History of American erat Geographical Botany of the United States. 13 So far as my information extends, the following tracts, included within the limits under consideration, have not yet been examined with that attention, which is necessary to a:complete developement of their botanical productions, viz. The ranges of mountains in the Essleet Staten, as W Sched the — range of the Alleghanies, ughout their whole course from north to south—the savannahs, of the Southern States—the vast praries of Ohio, Indiana and IIli- nois—and the shores of the large lakes upon a part of our Northern Frontier. Frem these, the acute and enterprising botanist would draw treasures, more than sufficient to compensate him for the dif- ficulties and dangers, which he must necessarily encounter, © The cession of Louisiana to the American government in in 1803, was an event no less interesting to the naturalist than to the alaies- man. Previous to that time, the only knowledge we possessed of the productions of that extensive and various country, were a few ‘scanty netices contained in the works of travellers ; most of which were not calculated to give the botanist that kind of information crn me seca Since the ‘event k jant onnioenihsy wiisbiaiie sey- ry, and have published the results of their explorations. Among Apes. shes should also, particularly mention the Florula Codevigieas published by Mr. Rafinesque, in 1817. A notice of such species as were discovered in this region, up to the year 1S18, will be found i in the valuable work of Mr. Nuttal. Of the remaining ones, the only account that we have is to be found in the different journals of the expeditions and in various American periodicals,+ * stadt the botanical discoveries of Mr. Bradbur ry, see his travels in the Interior sag America.—N, Y. Medical Repository, vol. 17, and the Appendix to Pursh’s + Catalogue of plants Peaggbetes Papen a journey to and from the Rocky Moun- tains, during the a of I y Edwic P. James. Transactions of the American Philosophical S Pi “".S.: vol. 2p. 172, Description of some New and Rare Plants from = a Mountains, by Dr. E. James. By John Torrey, Annuls N. Y. Lyc. vol. 1, p. 30. oes Description ot some New Grasses, by the same, pe Y. Lyc. vol. 1, p. 148, Some account of a collection of Plants, we during a Journey to the Rocky Genet ahs : here ech Dr. Parca Ann. N. Y. Lye. vol. 2, p. 161—contains a Mr. Nuttall’s Ps Trae in the Arkansa, and his description of New Plants from the ~ Nat. Sciences, Philadelphia, vol. Sy p- 141—179. vol. s. p. 132, C: of the Plants collected ee ti iM onalonee: ale during the second expedition o sine tae 14 Geographical Botany of the United States. But in this extensive territory, botanical investigation has been ‘thus far confined chiefly to the banks of the larger streams; nor thave even these been examined throughout successive seasons. ‘The mountainous tracts—the vast plains—and the whole southern and western part, have been in a good degree neglected. The dis- -coveries of Mr. Nuttall and Dr. James, are a sufficient surety of the abundant harvest still unreaped at the base of the Rocky Moun- tains ; on the head waters of the Arkansas and Red eng. and on ‘the confines of Mexico and California. For information concerning the vegetable products of our North West Coast, we are indebted chiefly to Prof. Pallas, Mr. a and-to our own countryman, Meriwether Lewis ; who, during ‘celebrated expedition, brought from the mouth of the Colur new and interesting objects. It is a subject of cotipesebio ih, that Mr. Douglass, under the patronage of the London Horti- cultural Society, has devoted two or three years to the examination of the botany of this part of the United States, and has made many valuable discoveries ; and among others, that of a new species of Pine, which is said greatly to excel any that has been hitherto known on this continent. We anticipate the early publication of his Flora, which must throw much light upon the geographical bot- any of this continent, othe. F lotidas, previous: to their cession to the United aan ts Saw to thee Plows have cone Somindnweted by N ee they have not by any means been thoroughly explored. : Such is the extent of which the various sections of the United States have been botanically investigated. How much still re- mains to be — saysd be — — the ee facts: om Claman of North ‘Ambricin Plants popkeaet in 1818, is about 3230. This, h however, includes several to Canada, Labrador, and Hudson’s Hay. If we deduct these, and then add such as have been discovered within the limits of the United States, since the year 1818, the number of species at pre- sent known will not be far from 3500; and this from a country whose area is about 2,500,000 square miles. In France, whose area is about 200,000 square miles, La Marck and De Candolle enumerated, in 1806, 4658 species, of which 1472 were Cryptogamous and 3216 Phenogamous ; but a few less than were known to be natives of the United States in 1818, — * Silliman’s Journai,Wol. 5, p- 286. Geographical Botany of the United States. 15 I regret, that I have not at present the means of extending this eomparison to the Floras of other countries. This deficiency, I hope to be able hereafter to supply. The plants of the United States are distributed into 93 of the natural orders of Jussieu, of which the most numerous are the Co- rymbifera, Gramine, Cyperoidex, Leguminosee, Rosacew, Amentacez, and Labiate, ‘in the order they have been named; and which, together, possess about 1400 species. Of the remain- ing orders, few contain above 50 species, — nearly one half less than 10. The general distribution of these plants oes the different sec- tions of the United States, will next claim our attention; though we must premise, that the materials for that purpose are still quite scanty. In, Torrey’s Compendium of the Flora of the Northern and Mid- dle States, published in 1526, are enumerated 1900 Phenogamous species, and there is about the same number of Indigenous species in Eaton’s Manual. ‘The territory, included in this enumeration, is north of the 38th degree of north latitude, and east of the eastern pies of 5 thio. | om a ent examination of ibe North As rican Bora. of : | Caroli ee beers Ti find that the number of s specis ies in the Atlantic States south of the 38th degree of N. latitade, is about 2300 species. By a comparison of these Floras, I find also, that 650 species are peculiar to the Northern States as above designated, and about 1050 peculiar to the territory south of the 38th degree ; and of about 800 or 900 species heretofore noticed west of the above, from 200 to 300 are peculiar to that region, I use the term peculiar, be- cause they appear to flourish best, and be most at home there ; not that the line is in every case ezactly upon the limits just assign- From these statements it may be inferred, that from 12 to 1300 species are more or less common to the Northern and Southern re- gions on the Atlantic coast ; and that of the plants found west, 5 or 600 species are also common to the Atlantic region. Some of hese have a very extensive range of locality. I shall notice a few of the n most striking examples, chium spithaceum. Richard. This glumaceous plant is found in tie ae ce od on the banks of streams in Georgia, 16 Geographical Botany of the United States. and passing through the Carolinas, it is met with in Virginia, at Philadelphia, and as far north as Boston. It is met with in similar situations through the Middle States, and as far west as Missouri : aving a range, therefore, of 1000 miles north and south, and of the same extent east and west, and I am inclined to believe it will be found as far west as the base of the Rocky Mountains. It is moreover peculiar to the United States, and exists in situations which oppose to the opinion that it has emigrated from place to occidentalis, Lin. Has a range as extensive. It grows also in the swamps, ponds, and margins of streams, and does not appear to undergo much change in its appearance. Found as far west as the Canadian fork of the Arkansas. Mitchella repens, Lin. with its fragrant flowers, is found in the shady forests of Canada, and in similar situations through the Northern Atlantic States, and as far south as Georgia. Also on. the Arkansas, and in the Cherokee country. Dodecantheon media, Lin. (American cowslip,) though not so. common at any given place, has an extensive range from east to west. We find it in Pennyslvania, Ohio, Missouri, and specimens were collected by Captain Lewis at the mountainous sources of the Missouri ; and within the Rocky Mountains, alee wt wenn frotn Somaya to Georgia—westward th western shores of Lake Michigan, and through the Prairies of lle linois and Missouri. It is also found in the Cherokee country. The history of the genus Trillium, which, with a single excep- tion, belongs to North America, is highly interesting in connexion. with the view we are taking. Some of the species, as 7° grandi- florum, Salish. T. erectum, Pursh, have a range of the widest extent. 'T. grandiflorum is found in the mountains of Georgia and: Carolina ; in Virginia and Pennsylvania ; near Albany, New-York, and in the western part of the latter state ; becoming more abun-. dant through the moist prairies of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Other species of this genus have a more limited range, and oth- ers again, though not found in the Northern Atlantic States, are seen in Carolina and Georgia, and passing west of the Alleghanies, are found again on the banks of the Arkansas and Missisippi. Such are the sessile species, of which two have already been des- cribed, and the number of which will undoubtedly be increased. Geographical Botany of the United States. 17 The observation just made, brings me to the consideration of another point of much interest to’ the planto-geographer ; and it ee that the Southern Atlantic States, and the more northern and w tern sections of the United States, have many common species es genera which are not found elsewhere ; and this too, as I hope hereafter to show, is entirely snideipendent of any great similarity of elimate. This appears to be more particularly. applicable to the natural families, Composit, Leguminosx, and Euphorbiacew. Of the former we may enumerate the following genera, viz. Chrysocoma, Hemenopappus, Eclipia, Galardia and Silphium. Of the Legu- minosx-Psoralea, Indigofera, Petalostemon, Dalea, and Schrankia. Of the Euphorbiaceze, we may enumerate Styllingia, Croton and Jatropha. These genera have scarcely a single repre- sentative in that portion of the specie es — is = of the Alleghanies. Their the 34th or ,35th° N. L. but they are found westward, on the banks of the Mississippi, the Arkansa, the Platte, and the Missouri, in some cases, as far north as the latitude of 41°. To this catalogue I might add the Reed or Cane, Miegia macrosperma, Pers. which to the east is confined to East Florida and the lower part of Geor- gia, but at — west ecletec on Bove — s : =r nae widely distributed, follow the same law—OF this number are Ver- stricta, L. and V, —— Tin, Coreopsis crassifolia; Ait. Scutellaria cordifolia, and others Sat Wine are She tecticicg-peckitnarnes in the vegetation of the different sections of the United States, which should not pass un- noticed. To the Southern Atlantic region belongs the splendid Magnolia grandiflora, the beautiful yellow Jessamine, ‘Gelsemi- num nitidum ; several species of Styraz, Marshallia, Erianthus, and Chamerops; the Sabal pumila, (false palm;) Olea ameri- cana, (American olive;) Ivia celestina, Pursh, Heliotropium in- and europeum; Jussiuea grandiflora ; Chiococca racemosa ; Taleews pabeacent, &c. &e. ill at once observe in this region, the out-crops, if TF £Sh O48 WALL I may so term it: of uw eopical vepestioh and we find the same, or closely allied, species, in South America and in the West India Isl- ands. Hence the richness of its foliage and its flowers, and the greater number of species found here. In the latter respect, the. os ; | 18 Geographical Botany of the United States. United States forms no exception to the observation which applies: to other parts of the globe, viz; that in approaching the tropics the vegetable forms become not only more rich in their colouring, and more luxuriant in their growth, but also that the number of the spe- cies is greatly increased. T'o confirm what has just been said, I need only repeat, that Mr, Elliott, in his Flora of South Carolina and Georgia, enumerates as found in these two states alone, about 300 more Phenogamous plants, than belong to all the Northern: and Middle States. It may also be added, that of 619 genera, described by Elliott as belonging to. South Carolina and Georgia, 132 are not found in the Flora of the Northern States ;. and that of 592 genera enumerated in Torrey’s Compendium, Tare not found in the work of Elliott, though some of netee occur in ee | fe a al. N, 4h PP pees orth, Procee of t the Southern res gradually imap cand an WA > reach, Virginia, we meet with othe al nN re- gion. This may be Be to . the neutral ground between the north; ana the pouth, ane comp not assume the decided pci aaad of either,. , New-Jersey, and Ne k, a change. in the aspect of the forests is observable. The Pinus rigida, ue (pitch pine,) Pinus strobus, L. (white pine,) Pinus canadensis, (hemlock ene wee in h the south are erontined tg. the mountain ous ran ges crocarpa, ad = pendula, (red nae black Dips es on 2 the. banks of streams e, are the. Thuya occiden- talis, DL. (oie ‘cedar,) Betula papyracea, Mich, B. ifolia, r : ‘on, (whi ite birch, ) Betula lenta, L. (black birch, ) and Betula ex. eer ‘Aiton, (yellow birch, ) which, if found at all in the Southern. States, are confined to the Alleghanies. Of the smaller trees, the his respect. Of from40 to 50 species, at present known as belonging to the United States, not more than lvania; and Mr. Elliott remarks, that the Salix nigra, L. (black willow, is the only species which is found in the low country of Carlee, except he Pits &: bateyte- nica, and the 8. vitellina, which are occasionally dens. Among other plants, peculiar to the Northern Stale « re- F ion, may be named Xylosteum ciliatum, Pursh, Diervilla cana- densis i “agate canadensis ; several species of Rides, Colas Geographical Botany of the United States. 19 scandens, Scheuchzeria palustris ; several species of Epilobium, Pyrola and Hudsonia, which are not represented in the Southern Fegion, if we except a single species of Epilobium, found on the Mountains. In passing t est from the Alleghanies, new ie desaeeeaem ‘appear, ‘sonia a \oieeatahy of latitude prevail, This difference be- ‘comes striking as we cross the Mississippi. In the forests we now find an abundance of the Celtis crassifolia, (hack berry,) Acer nes gundo, (ash leaved maple,) Quercus macrocarpa, (over-cup-oak, ) Asimina triloba, (papaw,) several species of Aesculus, (buckeye, ) viz: Ae. flava, pavia, macrostachya, &c. the coffee tree, Gymno- cladus canadensis, Gleditschia triacanthos, (honey locust,) Juglans oliveformis, (peccan,) and J. mgra, Cercis canadensis, (red bud 3) and on the banks of ee — longifolia, oho re vi come (cotton wood.) Thes prominent een in its tbs einai Among ther more rare sl tions of the Western fores n the Yellow Wood, or Bois mais Maclura wcivaiitstici Nutt. verre westward to the banks of the Little Missouri, and which is so extensively em- ployed by the natives of that section. Among the more humble Roe re sree etltrn: ines Be siete mon co Nutt. Hee iT. sae dala Collinsta verna, , Make: nia aquifolum, Nutt. Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Nutt. (wild liquorice, ) found at St. Louis, on the Platte river and Rocky apenas and several species of Verbena, &c. &c. eae ees This varied and interesting vegetation, continues until we reach the chain of mountains which traverse the Western part of our con- Guest, on a i pay spine plants which are found on t.in Europe, and i in iad: i sam hic are peculiar: But, as hos beent our knowledge concerning this tract, is still too limited to warrant any general remarks or comparisons. It would be interesting to notice the f the states on the Gulf of Mexico, viz: pre se! Louisiana, and to compare them with those of Georgia and South ‘Carolina ; but eee ll ia in. want of: snateriale. foe ar Yet, : as far a ac sic Pam sled pans Gee, Ee Jd Pacoatets “See “Ss. 20 Geographical Botany of the United States. rections of Mr. Cornelius, a great similarity prevails ; and it is pro- bable, that this continues westward to the mountains of Mexico. In tracing the peculiarities of vegetation of the © peas of the United States west of the Alleghanies, one should be remembered, as having a marked and powerful influence. It is, that this territory is watered by a magnificent stream, which holds a southerly course, through 20 degrees of: latitude, to the Gulf of Mexico—ihat this stream is fed by numerous tributaries from vari- ous parts of the Rocky Mountains on the west, and from the Alle- ghanies on the east, which pour into it the waters of the western part of New-York, as well as those of the mountains of Oregon. When we reflect what a vast t number i f plants fl on the banks of these various streams, and that seeds are carried by the wa- ters, and become fixed in the banks at other and distant places, we should not wonder if an uncommon uniformity of vegetation pre- vailed throughout this extensive region ;—uncommon, when com- pared with tracts of similar extent in other parts of the globe. An attention to this prominent feature in the geography of the western part of the United States, will also account for the fact mentioned by many travellers, that certain tropical forms reach a more north- ern latitude here than on the coast—and for the want of which, erroneous views have been entertained concerning its climate. I have at ese omitted to soe until Se Pa ae the ns, analagous to those. which attend its | Schom from the line to ther pole. With this distinction, that in the last case, the peerness succeed by almost imperceptible gradations, while they upon and follow each other in rapid succession, on the ascent of mountains. The height of 4 or 5000 yards in the hottest parts of the globe, produces changes as distinct as the 2000 leagues or more, which lie between the equator and the polar re- gions.” (Mirbel, in the 2d volume of Brande’s Journal.) Observations of this kind, however, have been greatly extended by Humboldt and Bonpland, and by Decandolle. It has timated by the latter, that in the climate of France, 180 or 200 yards of elevation, act upon the mean temperature nearly in the ra- tio of a degree of latitude. _ . In our own country, the observations upon the vegetation of the mountains have not, heretofore, been conducted with all the accu- Geographical Botany of the United States. 21 racy necessary toa full developement of this subject. But as far can be judged from the materials which we possess, the same remarks will apply. It has already been stated, that in South Carolina and Georgia, various species of Pine, which in this lati- tude are found on the low lands, are there confined to the summits of the mountains. Drs. Bigelow and Boot, found on the summit of the White Hills, in lat. 44° 15’ N. at 6000 feet above the level of the sea, natives of Lapland, Greenland and Labrador; as Epilobium alpinum, L. Empetrum nigrum, L. Ledum latifolium, Ait. Menziesia carulea, Swartz, Rubus sazatilis, L. Diapensia, Lapponica, &c. So also those who crossed the Rocky ae witnessed the same changes of vegetation. The botanical examination of high mountainous tracts, whether in tropical or temperate regions, is therefore of extraordinary inter- est; as it affords, within a small compass, striking illustrations of many leading facts in geographical botany. At the base, vegeta- tion is thrifty, the species are numerous and similar to those of sur- rounding regions—Upon ascending, these forms become stinted in their growth, and gradually disappear. Others succeed, still more dwarfish and hardy, and in their turn give place to the few repre- sentatives of the polar regions, whick continue to oahie limit of sie saith snow. - -in such. a journey, : EA. great peculiarity i in the seeeiiihs of the "United a basin and which strikes the traveller as well as the botanist, is the number and variety ofits Forest Trees. This will be fully exhibited when we remark, that the single genus of Oak, comprehends the United States, more species than Europe reckons within the whole amount of its trees. But this subject, together with a notice of the distribution of the Grasses, and other families of plants, will be noticed more in b deta hereafter. 22 Electro-Magnetic Apparatus. Ant. IV. On some Modifications of the Exectro-Macnetic Apparatus. By Joszrs Henry. Read October 10, 1827, a Ping mabject of Reece mepenctism, although one of the most ins ledge, and presenting at this time the mast fruitful field for discovery, is perhaps less generally un- derstood, in this country, than almost any other department of nat- ural science. Our popular lecturers have not availed themselves of the many interesting and novel experiments with which it can so liberally supply them; and, with a few exceptions, it has not as yet been admitted as a. A paxtof the course of Physical Studies pursued in our higher institutions of learning. A principal cause of this inatten- tion toa subject offering so much to instruct and amuse, is the dif- ficulty and expense which formerly attended the experiments—a large galvanic battery, with instruments of very delicate workman- ship, being thought indispensable. But this bar to the advance- ment of Electro-Magnetism no longer exists ; several improve- ments having been made in the principles and arrangement of the apparatus, which tend considerably to simplify its construction and use, Mr. Sturgeon, of Woolwich, who has been perhaps the most, pucecsstul sai these timate has soe cas a arose that it may be east indefinitely dentate, provided the magne- tic force be proportionately increased, On this principle he has construgtes,. a set of instruments, with large magnets and small rations, are well calculated either for the private study or the public lecture room.* Mr. Sturgeon’s suite of apparatus, though superior to any othe: as far as it goes, does not oe form a se See mrs ; as s tdleed it is plain that his principle 1 MVM into every article required, and particularly into those intended to exhibit the action of the earth’s magnetism on a galvanic current, or the operation of two conjunctive wires on each other. To form therefore a set of instruments, on a large scale, that will illustrate . all the eden. to this science, with the least expense of vanism, evidently requires some additional modification of the = “*Annals of Philosophy, New Series, vol. 12, page 379. Electro-Magnetic Apparatus, 23 apparatus, and particularly in those cases in which powerful mag- nets cannot be applied. And such a modification appears to me to be obviously pointed out in the construction of Prof. Schweigger’s lvanic Multiplier :* the principles of this iastrument being di- rectly applicable to all the experiments in which Mr. Sturgeon’s improvement fails to be useful, and to those only can it be success- fully applied. The following description of the figure in Plate I. will render my meaning sufficiently clear. Fig. 1,i is an apparatus on the plan of the Multiplier, to show the ofa large magnetic needle. It consists of a coil of wire, A B, of an oblong form about ten incher in a length and one 4 ang a halfin width, with a small galva d to each the coil is formed of about twenty turns of fine copper or brace win vine wound with silk, to prevent contact, and the whole bound together so as to have the appearance of a single wire. The attachment of the zinc and copper is more plainly shown in Fig. 2, which repre- sents a coil of only two turns of wire: on the left side of the figure the plates are soldered directly to the ends of the wire of the coil ; on the right, the plate of zinc Z, is attached to the part of the wire ending with copper on the other side, while the plate of copper on Tee lees eam to the zinc on _the _ aun this shootin 3, erel; ely holding a Cookies of cesdalaied water SO aS to immerse one or the other of the double plates into the fluid. The arrows at B, formed of two pieces of card, are intended to show the direction of the currents, and they should point in the course of the wires going from the copper. N S, is the needle, about nine and a half inches long, made by binding together several watch springs, touched sepa- rately, so as to form a compound magnet ; at the end are two balls of pith, to shew the movement of the needle more wee This instr lete in itself, and we full effect feet of the instantaneous i immersion ofthe galvanicelement,. = = =—s-_— se Fig. 3, represents a modification of De la peaee ring ona ares scale. A B, is a coil about nine inches by ie wifh « a small cylin- der of copper, enclosing another of zinc, without b 3, sol. dered to its extremities, which end at c, the whole alee spend. egg edgier cup of acidu- Re Water. When this apparatus i | Ii, 24: Electro-Magnetic Apparatus. to the magnetic meridian, W and E, are two pieces of card, with letters on them, to show which side of the coil will turn to the east or west: they may be properly placed by recollecting that the cur- rent from the copper to the zinc has a tendency to circulate ina direction contrary to that of the sun. Fig. 4, is designed to show the action of two conjunctive wires on each other; A B, is a thick multiplying coil, with galvanic plates attached, in the same manner as shown in Fig. 2; ¢ d, isa lighter coil, with a double cylinder, precisely similar to Fig. 3, and suspended within the other by a fibre of silk, passing through a glass tube, (a) the end of which is inserted into an opening (4) in the upper side of AB; e f are two wires supporting the glass tube. When the cylinder g and the plate C are placed in vessels of .acidulated water, the inner coil will immediately arrange itself so that the currents in both coils will circulate the same way :. if the vessel be removed from C, and D placed in the fluid, the coil.c d will turn half-way round and again settle, with the currents flowing in the same direction. Instead of the cylinder, a separate battery of [greater power may be used, by suspending the inner coil, as shown in Fig. 9; h h are cups. with in Bi upper wire should turn on a fine steel point. Fig’s 5 and 6, are front and side views of a modification of am - ment, described by Mr. Sturgeon. It consists of a dippir J : pas ol ndod by a BHI ; coil, tt Sati =a eat ls all other respects similar to that of Fig. 1. If, when the needleis placed in the magnetic meridian, and the coil in the plane of the dip, a galvanic current be passed through it in a direction « opposite to that of the sun, the north end of the needle will turn up, as ii in Fig. 7; but if in the contrary direction, it will turn down, as. Fig. 8. Ifthe coil be placed at right angles to the dip, as shown in the dotted lines, and the current passed in the first mentioned direc- tion, the needle will not alter its position, but will be more firmly fixed in it: if passed in the contrary direction, it will turn half-way ‘round and dip with its south end. The quadrant q permits the coil to be readily a ie plane of the dip or erent : — to it. On Americanisms. 25 Arr. V. Notes on Mr. Pickering’s ¢ : | Vocabulary of Words and Phrases, which have been supposed to be peculiar to the United States,” with preliminary Observations. ByT.Romeyn Brcg. Read March 18, 1829. Before a Society composed like the present, it is not necessary eee on the importance of preserving the whether spoken or written, in its pure state, In what that purity consists, may be the subject of discussion and controversy, but , will resolve itself at last, into that idiom which i is in use among the best educated and most ortion of th community, This remark indeed applies to every. cou ant yy th language of which is not encumbered by dialects. Indivi may be partial to certain words ; may deem their omission im- proper, and may argue that their place cannot be supplied—that no other will convey their precise ideas. But if general custom has dispensed with them, a few voices will not be sufficient to give them currency. _ There is however a constant change in all this, agreeing with mind of man developes untried means by which to convey the ideas which occupy it in such varied Benin _samidet this al- teration, however, there are of the history of every nation, to whom all their posteri do 7 oe pay be Sete The cette er guage are, Big pte, sage grgees foe on g state, its preserv. ers from anarchy and revolution. They must be read—and as far as. imitation is allowable, must be copied ; not with a servile ment, is -Proper— Whether the inwoduction of ap words | is 4 | proper—the_ revival of obsolete ones, or the remodelling of pre- sent ones. With my present object, it is not necessary to go largely into this ; but an assertion may be hazarded, that it is apprehended deserves at least some consideration. The warrant to lead in making these changes should be committed to but few. It is not given to many among the host of writers either in this or any other country, fully and completely to understand the multi- plied meanings of words ; and particularly those which are either foreign or little in use. One of the characteristics of the English Language is its copiousness ; and it may be as prudent as it is certainly advisable, first to ascertain the point where its phrases are incapable of expressing the ideas intended to be communicat- ed. Fashion, or the superiority of some great name, sometimes exercises a pernicious influence in this respect, In the days of Dr. Johnson, he sanctioned the introduction of many words from the Latin—In our own time, French words and phrases are thickly strown through the pages of our general literature. These remarks are only intended as a glance at some of the causes which influence alterations in a e, and as prelimi- nary toa notice of some of the bares which have been made against the citizens of this country, of fostering and increasing tbsp in the English Language, as at present in use among aicameie writers of real Britain. By Pa Sal Writers, these proy or some ‘antiquated author, hey have seldo had the 1 agne isoiiy to acknowledge their mistake. This ‘iorer i afely a Settion to the manner. whoa Dosa | lect, y Wlliee: ingihge a Geel one—that ur ete in es ie | jast, we shall never arrive at a -higher honor than to be: placed ed in the mind of any true lover of literature, icaiiaets that the most populous nation is introducing w one hes are et to the other. Views somewhat similar to these have induced anvens: genile- men in this country to select and notice such words as may be deemed to be improperly used. The utility of this is manifest, as it enables us to view them within a small compass, and properly to impress the necessity of their omission on our minds. Among the best, is to be mentioned the work of Mr. Picxertne of Salem, who in his Vocabulary or Collection of Words and Phrases, which have been supposed to be peculiar to the United States, at first read before tke American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and after- wards published 1 in a separate volume, has made a most valuable , and at the same time shown that in many instances, the dite ges of English writers are either unfair or unfounded. I have endeavored to familiarize myself with its contents, and occasion- This is the definition given by Dr. Johnson, who co Shakes- peare, King Charles I. and Locke, as authorities. The Edin- burgh Review however, in its notice of Bruce’s Journal, published in 1810, says—* ‘ Other ex ‘¢ alteration to which our language has been sae ae ‘¢ the introduction of Gallicisms, may be noticed in the rest of the ‘¢ Journal, resembling expressions found in American newspapers, ‘¢ where for a ship taken we read of a ship captivated.” Mr. Pick- ering seems to have been surprised at this charge, but he sub- sequently found the word in Belknap and Ramsay.* = _ Emay add, ear pete Has ee | ce. ‘(North American ~ sense with English writers, yet I have found it itt thodern a ne, as Dr. Adam Clarke, ae _ * Pickering, p. 55. 28 | On Americanisms. of Genesis, he says, ‘* The unnatural brethren who sold their brother into captivity are now Se ee and the binder himself, is bound in his turn.” -Citess. This word is noticed by Johnson in the sense of « iat | city woman,” but as peculiar to Dryden. During the stormy pe- riod of the French Revolution however, the British Critic, a gov- ernment Journal, charged the Americans with introducing this new-fangied word into the English language. They were said to have coined it, ‘The sole authority for this charge is the notorious Peter Porcupine, and he puts the authorship of the term on some violent partisans. All this might have passed in 1796, when men’s passions were at the height of irritation, but what shall we think Of literary thaiy sepeating the charge some twenty years or more t In the review of Inchiquin’s Letters in the Quarterly, — p. nes: it is deliberately stated that the Americans hesi- citizeness and citess as the translation of citoyennes. ner hart Dr. Witherspoon animadverts on the manner on which this is used. ** He is considerable of a Lawyer.” It would seem, however, from the wate remark, to have been formerly used in a similar way in England Speaking of'a story of Ligon in a notice of ** Southey’s Chron- ee mootent of the West cea the even ea (vol. inveterate in "Gteiiig it fee its old 1 English s sense—* a part of the sea which runs into the Jand.” Thus Milton, enn Ad mort one. ithe Frees: aye nd Bay kc We cettiialy'? in legislative - other public Ee as well as in common language, mean by it a stream smaller than a river. Some of the quotations by Johnson under the word, would seem to” pean phages n esr wee VT NP =F Seas Sioweives; lst thin ie saaaicaal in one of the earliest accusations brought against this country for coining new words. It is contained in No, 96 of the Mirror, a periodical paper, published at Edinburgh in 1780, and to.which Henry Mackenzie, “A grave looking man (says he) who sat near me one day at dinner, said a good deal about the fall, and of events that should have happened shown to every thing he said, and being as I told you, a grave look- ing man in a black coat, I was not sure but he might be some learn- ed theologian, and imagined he was speaking about Oriental Anti- quities and the fall of Adam, But I was soon undeceived. The gentleman had lived for some time in Virginia. By Providence he meant the town of that name in Rhode Island, and by the fall he meant not the fall of our first parents, for concerning them he had not the least. idea, but as I suppose, the fall of the leaf, for (he — the word is used, it seems, in the American Dta.ect for autumn.”* ~ Grade. A friend has pointed out to me the be oF this word in the manner igi a by bay critics as an a Apessennnn 2 in one valier, being ~ of our ne a I enc te woes with him the night before, respecting the worth and precedence of our several nations, it pleased him the next day to deliver his orders to me, with the point of his battoon advanced and held aloof, instead of declining and trailing the same, as is the fashion from a cour- teous commanding officer Deeb] his equal in rank, though it may be his inferior in military GRADE To Guess. There i is no ey for which New itaglandmen, are . which it is applied—than because the word is not ‘used.—Mr sed.— Mr. ig quotes several “ak a in late works (p. 101. ) ‘Byen * Since reading this Mr. M. H. Webster has referr 0% “ernor Pownall’s Topographical fe Aes of the Middle British London, | oper pe which t ep gaa mi ce ya climate in in te above poten of coneity« be says, © ag seasons are ee: or what the A Lenpeiecry ively call the / he quotes from Dr. . yletiiny of August as as the symptoms =o approaching Peter of tte. of the year.” 30 On Americanisms. a scholar like Sir Wm, Jones, in an essay before the Society at Bengal, when speaking of a doubtful Arabic Couplet, says, «On the whole, I guess that the distich should be thus written. ” Asiatic Researches, vol, 1, p. 4. 1 am indebted for this reference to Dr. Coxe. (Emporium of Arts, vol. 1. p. 91.) The use of this adverb cannot be too frequently condemn- ed, and it is to be regretted that a man of the eloquence and general accuracy in writing, of Mr. Clay, should have given it the sanction of his example, which he did on taking his seat as Speaker, in December, 1817. I have subsequently seen the word used, in some communication to the Legislature of New-York, but did not the time note, and J cannot now recall it. = = = => Immigration. - First used by Dr. Belknap. The Cuuittetty Tee. viewers do us the honour of approving its use. They say, (vol. 30, p. 39,) “The Americans have judiciously adopted this word from our old writers. It is one which we should not ee to become obsolete.” Locate, asaverb. ‘This word,” says Mr. Pickering, “is not ** in the English Dictionaries.” It is however used. Cumberland in his Memoirs, (p. 318, Amer. Ed.) speaking of Dilly’s Enter- tainments, says, ‘* Here he (Boswell) has located some of the live- ” seat scenes and most brilliant Pe in his phrreen sem 2 an- ig. . Mo ae a ee ee, See 7. oe ee aa scgalepariaiw Vetes'cithe Wiediae: gS ETE ‘* ernment, being, we understand, entirely located.” : In the sense usually applied to the word in this country, iti certain y a technical one, with which we cannot di spense | : " Bisi Said ter Mines iy Pedkidak Misioos i bir opoonh, Bie cember, 1817—and criticised by Mr. Coleman. This may rather be called an impropriety than an Americanism. mrs ante gonerehy acknowledged as both singular and plural. "2 e,asaverb, This word has neyer been directly charg- of ental devericaiae a ‘been quoted against us in ital- a os ‘Quarterly + abe - Ttis amusing, i the sort space of thre years, ond thi verb used repeatedly by the same reviewers. In vol. 17, < On Americanisms. 31 speaking of Battel, they say, ‘* There can be little doubt that he believed what he narrated.” And again, (vol. 18, p. 39 ,) “Mr. Sharpe’s industry has traced some curious particulars of James Russel, who so coolly narrates his own share in this horrible transaction.””—.Varrate is also used by the Rev. Mr. Raffles in his Tour on the Continent. ‘‘'To explain and narrate the story of these unparalleled hee “ (p. 279.) Also in the Foreign Quar- terly Review, vol. 1, p. 92 Nationality. Mr. Pitens says this is used by some writers in America—but although a new word, he has once met with it in the Quarterly Review in italics. It is used in the same way in the Edinburgh ae vol. 6, p.131. ‘It is therefore with regret that w compelled to advert to the nationality of Mes- sieurs Bory ‘+ St. Vincent.” Dr. Webster also quotes it as used by Boswell. Respectability.. This is a modern word, not to be found in Johnson. It appears to have been used by Cumberland and Kett ( Webster ) and is adopted in the Edinburgh Review, vol. 17, p. ). It is, however, I apprehend, in more common use in writing in this country than in a Engin. os So aes one perch rte Coie sources ae Red River.” ” Mr. ‘Nut. tall is an Englishman by birth, but has been so long resident in this country, that by a species of wk bepeee be familiar to os it may hereafter be called an | Starvation, This word is neither in Sole Wetste, or Worcester’s Johnson & Walker, and yet it is in general use. I have somewhere seen it mentioned, but cannot state the place, that this word was introduced by Henry Dundas, ————— het brian ernie an gees eat | ~ Tarry asa noun. This wor i aed conversation , Ping epi lees cares oo bat is ask Wh Ge otaee y dictionary which I have examine the London Courier News- paper of July 7, 1817, tt ie mentioned thet the “ Duke of Welling- “ton was on his arrival (at some place) received eh a g guard , honour, and the band of the 88th continued to ring his "Ge tory ch nel le ab” =e —_ em: - * <8 tt say oo ee Si We ee 32 Uvularia grandiflora, Art. VI. On the Uvularia grandiflora, as a remedy hint the bite | x awe fattlesnake. By James G, Tracy Read February 29, 1828. It has been long known that the Indians made use of a vegeta- ble remedy for the bite of the rattlesnake, but there appears to be much uncertainty respecting the plant resorted to for this purpose, I believe no description has yet been published by which it can n be rr soa The Commissioners for settling the boundary line between the United States and the British Possessions were engaged in Au- gust, 1820, in the survey of the Islands near the head of. Lake Erie. Among their attendants, was a hunter, named Hank John- son. This” person is a white, who while a child, was ‘captured, A ry war, by the Seneca Indians, in the west- ern part of Pennsylvania. He has ever since remained among them ; been adopted as one of the nation, and to which indeed his bali, dress and appearance conform, and he is now one of the chiefs of that part of the Senecas who reside on the Cattaraugus Creek. In the late war, he attached himself to the forces under the command of General Porter, on the Niagara frontier, and par: ticularly distinguished himself at the battle of Chippewa and at the sortie from Fort Erie, by his strength, courage and fidelity, and in re : PAPO peri shovenentcnsd, Pustiecar wacker a the commissi was bitten bya rattlesnake, and Hank was ap- Dn } these circumstances rela Bre Gaal Rac WwW. A. Bir ora Major Frazer, fillediodl on the commission) Fs Uvularia grandiflora. 33 and the plant minutely described by them, I had little doubt that it was the Uvularia grandiflora, and collected some specimens 6f that plant which those gentlemen examined. All of them pro- nounced it to be the same plant which had been so successfully used under their observation. Its identity was afterwards still further established af a > which it was found General Porter had ved at the time the cures were performed... __ . ~ Those persons co are generally acquainted with the plants which Pe a in the northern states, will agree with me in -opin- ion, that no person of ordinary observation could mistake the per- foliate uvularia for any other plant; and the height of: this being described as two feet, determines it to be the U.— iflora, which alone of the perfoliate uvularias reaches that height. — | I therefore think that the concurring opinions of the gentlemen whom I have named, is conclusive proof that the plant I submitted to their examination must be the same with that which was made use e of by Hank, and which is the } ; Uvularia grandiflora—Smith == lanceol Willdenow. U. —— ~ perfoliata 8 mene 0 to er st, and very ge to believe that the tiacal avin was seni to on i this occasion 5 and at a season of the year when the bite of a rattlesnake 1 is known DESCRIPTION. hes aoa Uvunarta, corolla eee oe erect ; claws of the Pej ; = UL si fi rljoe Raa 9 FL” ne _____U. lanceolata.— Willd. Sp. pl. ab, —Shady ail in fertile. soil, aiid ‘among ‘roc ad On the Climate of the Riper yoy resemblance to. Relomens Seal : leaves alter- - Miko 3 is ee eer ~ouuemnicas can Sts Lee Valley of the Mississippi. 4t 3. That the Catalpa, if indigenous to the United States, is only found so in the Carolinas and Georgia on the coast, and on the banks of the Wabash in the interior, six or seven degrees north of the former, and can establish no standard by which to ascertain the comparative temperature of the climate of these different sec- tions : if introdu r the converse of Mr. Jefferson’s theory, as it is found in the vicinity of New-York, more than three degrees north of the northern limit which he has assigned for it on: the Mississippi. 4, That the reed is comparatively rare in the United States, ex- cept in the valley of the Mississippi, and that its occurrence here does not depend upon the superior mildness of the climate, 5. That the paroquet is found resident in the valley of the Mis- sissippi as high as latitude 42° north, and that it is capable of en- during almost any degree of cold; and that its preference to this region depends upon the greater abundance of its favourite food. Proceeding in the history of this theory we come next to the ob- servations of M. Volney, a French traveller, who visited the United’ States in the year 1795,*—a man of science and observation, who ree > hither to cee our rscncsatis laws and inhabitants, and “to try,” whether that 3 years a any hope.” His work aecinctai bears the impress of genius ; but it is to be regretted that many of his opinions have been rash- ly adopted, and betray not only a limited renee: hei facts, oe a great want of judgment and discrimination. He often exer his ingenuity at the expense of truth, and bends the observations he abroad to suit the theories which he had formed at Seanad) dain the comectnese oil By a reference to ¥olaas%s “¢ View,” we find as ciate wate of his sections on climate, the following assertion, viz : ** The cli- mate of the basin of the Ohio and of the Mississippi is less cold by three degrees of latitude than that of the Atlantic coast.°+ From eee ee a 2 a i s > ey 7) a) Oe ee a cA ina , &c. by C. F. Vo!- oF ‘heci, London Edition: 42 On the Climate of the — ally be inferred that it either had been, or was about to be, most sat- isfactorily proved. But on the contrary, we are not a little aston- ished to find, that after observing, that ‘this is one of those sin- gularities that deserve so much the more attention, as I do not know that it has ever yet been described with all its circumstane- es” the author adds, ‘‘ for the principal fact 1 shall borrow. the words of Mr. Jefferson in his notes on Virginia.” Subsequent to this quotation, which is contained in a former part of this paper,* and upon which I have animadverted at some, length, M. Volney, ‘‘as a traveller,” adduces testimony in con- firmation of the assertion of Mr. Jefferson And here I would again observe, that we should receive with. great caution the opinions of one who appears before us in this ca- city, on the subject of climate, the elucidation of which not only. requires attentive examination, but a lengthened series of observa- tions. Prejudice, and preconceived and hastily adopted notions, often warp his judgment, and prevent him even from drawing cor- rect conclusions from the morceauz of facts which he may chance to collect in the course of his tour. But lest the charge of illibe- rality should be made for the application of these remarks to the author under consideration, I shall present the “ principal results” of the notes which he collected in his journey from Washington on pee. Poternac | to Fort pattie ie on the Wabosh 3 and, in oe cad bs and Perhaps three. lune yd above he level of the ocean. ta * sg ate south and south-east ; while on their rae ince hav- th-west aspect, toward Charlottesville, it did not begin. a the 12th « or r Lith. ae # See page 35. age satis. p Voloésis View, sage TCT + Now Vincennes. i Valley of the Mississippi. 43 en ouly” the 10th, ‘harvest at Rockfish ' gap, on the summit of Blue Ridge, fifty feet. It was two ‘days eat ier tn the valley of Staunton, about two hundred and thir- ty feet lower, * July the ll harvest on Jackson’s mountains, at an eleva- tion of more than two thousand two hundred feet. «July the 20h, harvest on the Alleghanies, at an elevation of two thousand six hundred feet. “ee “In this ascending line we find it uniformly more backward i in *¢On descending the other slope of the atin that to the west, I found, that at Green Briar, situate in a low plain, awk place five days earlier, on the 15th of July. ‘*In the valley of the Great Kenhaway, at the mouth of Elk riv- er, it began on the 6th. ‘¢ At Gallipolis, a French settlement on the Sciota, ¢ on the — *¢ At Cincinnati, farther north, on the 15th. . ‘¢I found no wheat at Fort Vincents on the Wabash, where a preference i is given to Indian Corn, WObEECO,. and — products est of a hot country. In ons ; is ae Se ee ‘<< : paring upon this question, is one that is direetly in sippontion to the theory which it is intended to confirm, viz: that the harvest commenced at the same time, at Monticello, east of the Alleghanies, and at Kas- te Pe ee Less, eS Oey ee eR eS eS eee ee ee ey SOR Gee are both in the same latitude and at an elevation nearly the samé.* The ph Blaine 3 differences 1 in vegetation! wines he hobced as he as- hat CF aE UN bw esainda id in mE ‘ << Still Iam far from denying,” says he, “ that in the western coun- —* — ial we Poe sonar and —— oecur, which ther et oe” © x j ieee Bis sien tenes” Among bite sewn Bente ay pryesesw wae 44 ‘On the Chmate of the the first in rank of these phenomena, is one observed within these few years by botanists, which every day confirms ; on comparing the places in which certain trees and plants grow spontaneous on the east and on the west of the Alleghanies, they have discoy- ered that there is a general and uniform difference, equivalent to” three degrees of latitude in favour of the basin of the Ohio and Mississippi; in other words, those trees and plants, which require a warm climate, and winters less cold and of shorter duration, are found three degrees farther north on the west of the Alleghanies, than to the east on the Atlantic coast: thus cotton, which succeeds at Cincinnati and Fort Vincents, in the latitude of 39°, has not yet been found capable of cultivation in the Carolinas farther north than 35° or 36°. It is the same with the catalpa, sassafras, pa- yo! pecan or Illinois nut, and many other trees and plants, a par- enumeration of which, would require more skill in this Rei of natural history than I possess.””* As this is merely an extension of the argument of Mr. Jefferson, and as M. Volney not only confesses his partial knowledge, but evinces his total ignorance of plants, I should not have noticed his remarks, had he not insinuated that he was quoting the language of standard botanical authors. It will therefore be necessary to examine the history of those plants which are said to be found s three eer farther ports on ibe west of ihe aiaaieaaaal pen er ise Be Pees % Ke ! Sites icult Peie 1s RS let Eas Sa aphes Catal Sagres oT henk oY Pave ne. iments that have already been made, no doubt remains that it may be cultivated i in any part of the temperate zone. _It is found tosuc- d not only ig am nla gnome yr ele oa ag all other situations when an unusual degree of cold pre- vails. Perhaps, indeed it will never constitute an article of com- merce in any of the northern states,{ but in all probability a suffi- a oe ee _* Volney’s View, pages 146—7. _ $ Gossypium herbaceum, Lex. ot Oko, | tivated in ties ia diferent rts Indiana, $A bare oven. it cx a ase eee ean Sper three Years, Valley of the Mississippi. 45 The reason why this plant has hitherto appeared to succeed better in the valley of the Mississippi is, that the inhabitants have paid greater attention to its cultivation, in consequence of the exorbitant price they were obliged to pay for it if obtained from the eastern or southern markets. Now, however, it is clearly demonstrated that under similar parallels of latitude on the coast, the climate is equally favourable to its 2. The Cata ar This plant has already been noticed and no- thing further need be added in this place. 3: .*—This is found abundantly in all the northern states, on the coast, and also in Canada.t Michaux observes, that ‘* from Boston to the banks of the Mississippi, and from the shores of the ocean in Virginia to the remotest wilds of Upper Louisiana beyond the Missouri, comprising an extent in each direction of more than 1800 miles, the sassafras is sufficiently multiplied to be ranked among the most common trees.”’} 4. Papaw.§—According to Pursh, this tree is found on the overflowed banks of rivers, from Pennsylvania to Florida. It is - not uncommon in the bottoms which stretch along the rivers of the middle states ; ae it is most abundant in the rich valleys inter- ted by the western pine several crn. Sn Rash sat ia icket where the os is of luxuriant fertility, of which it presents an infal- lible proof.|| 5. Pecan.§|—This tree is found on the banks of the Ohio, Mis- sissippi, and other western streams,** and is peculiar to them ; having never been found east of the Alleghanies. According to the younger Michaux, it is not seen east of Louisville on the Ohio. The om. pecs Re from the French inhabitants, who as- Sica Great Mackakity, which Geeae it- self in latitude 42° 51’. Witla. of a Decstivaiegenmciscasgny a *s North American ner rer? 2 P. 34. Carya olivsformis, Nutt. Gen. we ** See Pursh and Michaux, as before. 46 On the Climate of the It appears, then, from the testimony of the botanical authors to which I have referred, that some of these plants are found as far north on the sea-coast, as in the valley of the Mississippi ; and that the rest are peculiar to the latter, and Secrest do not fur- nish a standard by which to ascertain the co perature of the climate of these two different sections aif our country. M. Volney, in farther confirmation of his theory, proceeds to de- tail the facts which he collected concerning the comparative tem- perature of the different seasons. ese however are so vague, disconnected, and Ihren as to stint xf ey for me to combat he has them. Dr. Williamson also adopts the opinion maintained by Jefferson and Volney, but unfortunately adds nothing in support of it.* I shall quote his remarks mercly for the purpose of showing that it has received his sanction upon the bare assertion i of those who pte- ceded him, and without the slightest e which were adduced in its support. ‘¢ On the western side of the Apelachian mountain,” says he, ‘¢ where cultivation is hardly begun, the winters are much more temperate than near the Atlantic ocean. This difference is attest- ed by numerous settlers; and it has been observed that paroquets winter on ‘the river tT Sciota i in latitude 39°. _ But I have not heard the ter in the western country, anes Ear teaver rar es fe a states.’ a ; —- n ws ) T ‘country. “They do not, ‘However; advance any new facts or + onal and consequently do not deserve — notice. = perce a ee in different parts of An eri ya m) with the climate in corresponding parte fi teas Seger By Enh liamson, M. D. &c. Dr. Williamson here refers to Loskeil’ s History of the Moravian Moravian Missions. 1 ; t , carefully exami ithis work, and ca iaming mi warrant on reference. The only remarks which have the > least bearing on on the subject, are "_-aalollows: “ [tis sid that the farther you travel:to. the west the more fruital and boone rece Fe cme cute nhabited. Part autiful .. é "The weather ae Opened on the east and west of "ihe gitamsee ~ ts, a SGA ys 4. J Valley of the Mississippi. 7. I have thus examined in detail the arguments adduced in sup- port of the superior temperature of the climate of the Mississippi, to that of the Atlantic coast, under similar parallels of latitude. This was not only essential to a full developement of the subject, but was due to the talents, ingenuity, and high reputation of the authors in whose works they are contained. I come now to the second division of this essay, which is to prove that the climate of the Mississippi valley, does not material- ly differ from that of the Atlantic coast. This I shall endeavour to do, first, by a comparison of thermometrical observations ; and secondly, by a comparison of the flowering seasons of plants. — As the temperature of a climate, although it depends el on the latitude, is more or less influenced by situation, elevation, and exposure, it may be proper to give some account of the natu- ral formation of the different portions of country, which are the sub- jects of comparison, In doing this, I shall confine myself to a belt of about three hundred and fifty miles in width, bounded on the north by the parallel of latitude 43° N., and on the south by that of 37° N. . This will not only embrace the territory east and west of the Alleghanies, whose climate is said to differ,* but also that in eats the, most correct Shpervations heye ita ee er by two 5 thy of mountains, which form a atom vallgy of Prcaty three thousand miles in extent. It is therefore naturally divided into five regions. 1. The eastern littoral. 2. The eastern moun- tainous. 3. The great alluvial.. 4. The western n and 5. 'The western littoral. hes The eastern littoral region is wmalied on the east. # the Adlaitie ocean, and is abundantly watered by streams which generally have aa egE Ie It fe-from' 150:to 250 miles i in breadth. ie sec nd circumstance is, that this excess with re. ture, ceases again almost sudden 0 Batata came and 45 i the great oe s View, p- 153. 48 On the Climate of the The eastern consists of ranges of mountains rising above each other, the highest of which is several thousand feet above the level of the sea: it divides the waters of the east and west, and forms the rampart or terrace between the first and third regions. Its breadth is from 70 to 100 miles. It is but very par- tially cultivated, being for the most part covered with vast and im- penetrable forests. e third region includes, as I have before remarked, the vast basin or valley, formed by the two ranges of mountains. The name of the Mississippi basin is perhaps the most correct, as almost all the streams which irrigate it, empty either directly or indirectly into this stream, This basin may be considered as one plain having. but little elevation. The eastern portion, sbichis all that need now be described, consists of a part of the state of Penn- sylvania and the whole of Ohio, Indi » Illinois, and Missouri. It contains a low, or what is termed prairie land, entirely destitute of timber. It is as yet but thinly settled and partially cultivated. Of the two last, nothing need be said, my object being merely to compare the climate of the Atlantic coast with that of the valley of the Mississippi. These brief and general topographical remarks, form a necessa- ry preface to the more minute investigation of this subioct, of a climate, "Git & cic @ esa ued renal thtew: observe. tions should be made with great care and be continued for a length of time. Even after this, they form no criteria by which to judge _ climat sama anaes WP tee. At whet slerention, pe comparison. I rogret, moreover, that I have not been able to pro- a fg ee 3 we 85°84) WwMaw wwe “s nperyens In order to make up for this deficiency it will be 3 to resort to a method, which, although somewhat arbitra- rv, is less liable to objection than any other. It has been adopted Valley of the Mississippi. Ag: by Baron Humboldt, in his celebrated work on the Geography of plants by comparing the climates of the old and new continents. With a certain place in North America, whose mean annual tem- perature is known, for example, Natchez (31° 28’ Jat. 18.2°* mean: temp.) the author makes a two fold comparison, viz. he first com- pares with this place one in the old world, which lies under the same degree of latitude ; the mean temperature of this last, com- pared with that in North America, gives them the difference of temperature. Secondly, he compares with it a place in the old world, which has the same mean temperature, and this comparison then gives the difference of latitude between the two places. But as we cannot easily have for such a comparison, placestia ered continent, whose mean temperature, or geographical latitude, agrees exactly with the given places of the new continent, the author has, in each of these- comparisons, madé tise of two places in the old continent, from which the geographical latitude or the mean tem- perature of the place is determined, that is to be compared with one in North America. He must then, in order to institute a com- with Natchez, first fix upon a place in the old continent which lies under 31° 28’ of latitude, and the mean piperstire. of Sal See oo temperature of 31° 28’ in the old continent ; this is 20°5', which. number compared to 18° 2’ gives a diecence equal to 2°3'. Se- emt have a place in the old continent linent whose mean tem- should be 18° 2’; he obtains this plac > same ma - ner through a comparison between Rome, 15° & (41°. 33 of lat.). and Algiers, 20,1° (36° 33! of lat.)+ Une The application of this formula in the "ecco will not only make up for the w want of observ but will furnish the Ua BOT. GARDE. jo11 50 On the Climate of the These places in the former region, are Albany, (New-York,) Cam- bridge, (Mass.) New-York, Philadelphia, and Williamsburgh, Virginia) ; and are are included in a range of about six degrees of - longitude ; in the latter region, Cincinnati, (Ohio,) St. Louis, (Missouri,) and Council Bluff. I shall now present a tabular view of their latitudes and mean temperatures. 1. On the Atlantic Coast. Latitude, Longitude,* Mean Temp. 48.70 + “Albany, (N. Y.) . 429 397 N, '720 32’ W. Cambridge, (Mass.) 4508 Sethe! WSS 2.5 4 New-York, AR i: GE hata Ee os Philadelphia, _-.. ~=-—s-39_-«S6 ie eee Se Mier srs nah 2 37 6 76 55 oie. , ee Inthe Valley ofthe Missi. ails elias A 1390 6'N. 4° 87 W. 64.30 ** ~ St. Louis, (Missouri) § 38 36 = 89-36 6 SOR 41 31 96 42. 49.2 tj From this table it appears that the mean temperature of Cincin- nati, is only four-tenths greater than that of Philadelphia, although the former is 50’ south of the latter. ‘The difference here is prob- ably not ee than it would be east of the Alleghanies. The en the clavate of these, twp places, bas heen so a re than state that this auth result of 1 nuinerous aad opted 0 Cincinnati is not warmer Bon that of a te nding p Sea ATE a : cd Se & ESS : eoRS UP gba? Sat Sar ee See ae RMT re os a tea Sd EE sin. see ee See vin SS aa aa Ry NE i & ay Set Rae sit eT RF ent a ae ” > “ag a vathons, 1820-21-22, by T. Romeyn Beck, M. D. : ‘Bee the edical and Physical Journal, vol. ii. p. 253 : “York Medi ‘ia ghee atin ine n of Baron. ‘een “ee as. and. the: Distribution of Heat eat over the Se Thomson's nr als of of Philosophy, vol. xi. p. 177. Gore 4 rag § Two years, siahbaidecihalore, iss oer ems aan iz at 52.5; r rom six. yéars observations, » 542. Ac to . fA A ' as bs : | : as: Beak = pee of Cincinnati Gazet cieer * ‘ol | the 3 states of Minois vod Missouri, by the oe as. & ae a pr Valley of the Mississippi. di Proceeding in our comparison we come next to St. Louis on the Mississippi, in latitude 38° 36’ N. and.12° 15! of longitude west of Cincinnati. brigade as the mean femapareture of this parallel on the coast, h it must be done by the rule above prescribed. Taking, therefore, Philadelphia in latitude 39° 56’ (53.9° mean temp.) and Williamsburgh in lati- tude 37° 16’ (58,19 mean temp.) the mean will be 38° 36’, cor- responding exactly with the latitude of St. Louis; and the proba- ble mean temperature at this point will be 56.19 ; only one-tenth of a degree higher than that of the latter place. ‘The limited num- ber of observations prevent the application of the second part of the formula, in order to ascertain the corresponding difference of latitude. This difference is, moreover, so very trifling, that it would not only be difficult but useless to settle it. The next and last point of comparison is Council Bluff, in lati- tude 41° 31’ N., and whose mons ‘heat is 49,2°. And here I must again resort to the method of above adopted. . By com- paring therefore New-York, latitude 40° 40’ (mean temp. 53.8°,) and Albany, latitude 42° 39’ (mean temp. 48.7°,) the mean latitude will be 41° 40’, and the age mean temperature ot thse Bares Pe : oS ee = aa fl ete : os? ence of mean temperature of latitude A1° 40’ and 419 31" will be about 00.5°, Adding this to 51.2° will give us 51.7° as the probable mean temperature of latitude 41° 31' on the coast. From these comparisons » which are as correct as the ecited wunker of duarveinas al aaa it appears that the mean temperature of Cincinnati is the same as that of the corresponding latitude of the Atlantic coast; of St. Louis one-tenth higher ; and of Council sr wAign,. gnaprirteteecmrttcd And hence takigg en ee ‘be assumed that the temperatre of the valley of the Minsstpp from latitude 38° 36’ to 41° 31’ NN. and from longi to 96° 42’ W. is eight-tenths of a degree lower ‘than that of the Atlantic coast. - 7 6) a Aonme i eee AS en: ke , ME is. em Semen, Ss Wess WY VI ¥ 8225407 ACAL pesca ji temperature of these laste. I shall therefore next compare the different seasons ; for the temperature of the cycle of vegetation, SPER depeche growths of pat Wy Ser} ite n os Sax eae Aa P laaeeaeahat lage having $84 SE ft 5z : On the Climate of the “The following roan —_ Low anno Ps memes: — PIR EE IEE AS 8A ‘Places aniepadas a Pre sai On the Atlantic Coast. é tecun agi ‘WWames L .oay : Mean Mea Mean Mean of faery Lati. Longi- temp. oo temp. of temp. of . temp. of places. 7 : winter. spring. summer autumn. Albany, 42° 39'n 72° 32'w 24.6° 7.70" ae Oe Cambridge, 42 25 71° % 84.0 47.6 64.4 49.8. _ New-York, 40 40 74 v1 29.8 61.2 79.2 64.6 Philadelphia, 39 56 75 10. 32.2 51.4 74.0 56.6 2. In the Valley of the Mississippi. — s Names neg Hi. Veg, Oe SFO socs Meano° Mean? =Mean <® ~ ti- ‘3 ian: east | ne temp, of ‘prog. temp. ‘ Conn Blo, a a's 96° 42w 20.19 61.59 poser Pe pF : St: Loais, | 8 36.89 86. 945. 847.. 753. 60.7. Vi: the two last situations, therefore, in deed — ‘table, the temperature i is more equally d 5) than i in corresponding latitudes on 1 the coat ¢ : ‘the summers being less hot and the winters less cold ; PrIeryen disproving the asser- tion, of iets Stoddard i in his sketches of pe and which Farle om phenomena a of F vegetation. pent Ses ‘Iti is, a fact well stashed, that the climate can ei stein Beet £g : ; | a | ; observations on th ha r, anon vegetation, in order to deter- temperature of the na te of Sweden. By EGebrse Wab- ' be in rh om y, vol. iv. mies indies thes difference i in ahve = tepertr of Valley of the Mississippi. 53 ‘My attention was first directed to this subject by the remarks of Muhlenburgh and Professor Bigelow,* and during my residence at St. Louis | kept an accurate register of the time of flowering of all the plants which I collected. The mean results of my observations upon a few of the most common of these, I shall now compare with similar ones made at Washington city,t on the coast, in latitude 38° 5S! N. ee north of the former. a eh Seton. eee Names of Plants. Habitats of St. Lowi. 225 328 Fea FS 53 a: Sanguinaria Canadensis, LZ. (Blood root.) — Side hills March 98. April 6. Claytonia Virginica, L. (Spring beauty.) liens resi PR April 20, April 10. Ranunculus fascicularis, Big. pe eae On the alluvions. April 20. April 14. Uvularia perfoliata, L. (Bellwort.) Side hills. April 14. April 11. Fragaria virginiana, L. (S coer ) Prairies. © April 15. April 28. Ranunculus abortivus, L. (Butter-cup.) Alluvions. April 18. April 20. Geranium maculatum, L. (Cranesbill.) Prairie & woods. April 18. May 5. ‘Laurus Benzoin, L. ( 5) Banks of the Miss. April 20. April 7. Dodecantheon : Spice bush. Sea fb eboesteg Barrens & prairies. April 20, April 28 Pordelia triloba; Pers. (Papaw.) Alluvions. April 23. May 5. Podop hy lum peltatum, L. i apple.) Alluvions. April 23. May 5. recta, L. (Star grass.) Prairies. April 26. May 5. oi ih dniinadaniy na mmon 5 finger.) Prairie’ fores!® April 99, April 14 “Rubus trivialis, Mr. (Dewberry.) Prairies & barrens, A pril 30, May 5. Carnes i gap (Mouse-ear Banks of Creeks. May 1. May 4.) eer! Ma gence! de 7 aaa ) Barrens & prairies. May 9, May 19. . = Journal of Science and Arts, vol. i. p. 76. i » Columbiensis: or a list of p Se AP RERGT cl-Colenii, during in 1817 and 1818. of On the Climate of the Valley of the Mississippi. i = a s S s28. of Names of Plants. Habitats at St. Lowis, EER gt Rig tbs cs = Lepidium ee EL, (Pepper wort) Hills, June — May — Rhus ¢ L. (Common sumach) arrens, June -- June 23. Lobelia pallida, oa, Mul Prairies, June 19. June 2, Asclepias tuberosa, L. (Butterfly weed) Prairies, June 19. June 23, Sambucus connec: L. (Elder) Prairies, June 19. June 9, Rocky banks of Cephalanthus occidentalis, Z. (Button bush) the Mississippi, June 26, July 7. Lysimachia ciliata, Mz. (Loose strife) Timber’d alluvions, June 26. June 16. Bi ia radicans, L. (Trumpet flower) ‘Timber’dalluvions, June 26. June 30. Cie canadeni Muhl. (Enchanter’s Timber’d alluvions, June 29. June 30. Anemone virginiana, L, (Thimble weed) Alluvions & barrens, June 29. tune. 23. Hypericum perforatum, L. (St. John’s wort) ep July — June Cucubalus stellatus, L. (Campion) ber’d alluvions, July — June 23, Scutellaria laterifiora, L. (Scull cap) bee of the Miss. July 22. Aug. 4. Phlox mas L. shore stem lichnidia) *™pere alluvions y.1y 31. Aug. 18. Eupatori m, L. (Bone set) Exsiccated on July 31. July 7. Cassia seta: L ‘(wild senna) Alluvions of creeks, July 31. Aug. 4. Serophularia marylandica, L. ip patete mae Aug. 2. Aug. 18. Solidago janeeolata, Azt. (Golden rod Prair Aug. 13. July 28. ) Eupatorium cziestianm, Z (Bive bone set) Pb & hills, Aug. 15. Aug. 3. Cescuta en —s dexgeervcornes Prairies & woods, Aug. 23. Aug. 29 )P P. 2. lL * A ey eee RN SAAT EON C2 SAW GHEE re WARNE SAS SS a es = atts d. . ‘ e ae j c ra . oe 5 a 4 A, & ee x Ay mee : jo & “ - i er sie Spas sil .* . Observations on the South Side of Ontario Valley. 55 “Art. VIII. Observations on the Geological Features of the South Side of the Ontario Valley, in a letter to T, Romeyn Beck, M. D. By James Geppes, Civil Engineer. Read, February 15, 1826. Auzany, Feb. Ist, 1826. Dear Sir, Thad heard from geologists so much about the formation . of every valley, by the action of waters flowing in yast torrents in. times long past, that 1 was much pleased to find in the and Agricultural survey of the district adjoining the Erie Canal, the following admission :—‘* We are compelled to admit that hills “‘ and valleys were formed first, and that afterwards, water began ‘* to descend the inclining sides of the hills and to collect, or march ‘‘ onward through the valleys.” Page 153. In the year 1810, from examinations of the country at, and east of the Niagara Falls, I was led to doubt the reasonableness of the conjecture, that had been so often hazarded ; that the cataract of | Ni : os Rock, a lime rock in which hoen-st0ee eer as the pears of which can be traced west and east toa great extent. North of, and below the termination of the stratum, the Chippewa runs to the east and the Tonawanta to the west, both streams emptying into Niagara between Black Rock rapid and the Niagara Falls. These streams are deep for many miles from their mouths, and the Nia- gara river from Schlosser to Black Rock, may be considered lake, nearly. At the north of Navy Island the water is from 40 to 50 feet deep, and at the place where ppg a posed to leave the Chippewa, the depth is 40 feet, which ‘ : the stratum from which the great cataract is precipi 1, donee rapidly to the south, and giving depth to this Pe water, as the stratum at Black Rock dips southerly and gives depth to Lake Erie. ‘The vast bed of clay in which these deep creeks flow, is of con- siderable depth, and great extent, particularly eastward. It may be considered as beginning on the Genessee river, at the mouth of Black creek, and following up the valley of that sluggish stream through the great Tonawanta or Oak Orchard swamp, and down 96 Observations on the South Side of Ontario Valley. the valley of 'Tonawanta creek. All Grand Island, and the small ones around it are of this clay bed. It may be traced far west on - the Chippewa and over on the Grand river. The lime stratum of Niagara Falls, with shells, is of very great extent, particularly eastward. Over it falls the Oak Orchard creek, Genessee river, Canandaigua outlet, Seneca outlet, and the streams from the lakes Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco, and it may be traced as far east as the falls of Skanado creek in Oneida. county. The terminating edge of this lime stratum, is generally very straight, and varies but little from an east and west course. For the first 20 miles east of sp hi river, K = i ina Be ocoadoted rock, projecting so much, that whe e surface of lake Erie along the north side of it, in 1 1810, it was ras found a roe t shelter from the showers. Mr. William Smith and his followers observe of the British stra- ta, that in all the eastern parts of England, they ‘end successive- ‘¢ ly towards the N. W., generally with a fingered or digitated out- ‘¢ line, running out into ridges, beyond the general range of the ‘¢ edge or limit of the stratum.” ‘The outline or terminating edge of this great lime stratum, which is such a distinguishing feature in the south side of the great Ontario valley, is towards the north, and instead of a fingered form, thus, hve vent he appearance of bing ome he stn of af Moors. That ‘ill these ra i agency of streams that occupy them, would i aedlty conics ‘s . observer, more particularly the one in which rans the Niagara river. = “At the head springs of the 18 mile erly itis shown to be other vise, | From three of these indents, the west branch Of this 35 Observations on the South Side of Ontario Valley. 57 Into the westernmost one a stream of water runs from the table- land above, and here is no bad minature of the Niagara Falls, except that the solid lime rock, projecting far over the underlay of britfle ats, leaves more space behind the sheet of water. is the most remarkable. It cuts farther back be- yond the sisal line of ending, and approaches nearest the Ton- awanta creek—has no stream falling into the south end of it, but is to be seen as the valleys were, ‘‘e’er moving spirit bade the waters flow. PP eral strata of lime, ae gray and red Fi i ‘all pune to view in the precipitous sides of the chasm. | From these observations I have been led to conjecture, that the cataract of Niagara first began at the head of a deep indent, which reaches south to within 70 or 80 chains of where the falls now are. This length of 70 chains, forms the pool or basin into which the water is shot from the great pitch, and is much deeper than the falls are high, The head or south end of this chasm was pro- bably once not as much below Erie level as the 18 mile creek one thing over 240 feet deep, and the surface of i vies wi form, all the way from the cascade to the north edge of the basin, (or as near said places as the persons sounding dare approach, ) and which bottom may be supposed poe Soma ler aa 2 West Siasch of the 18 mile creek. 58 Observations on the South Side of Ontario Valley. From the north side of this basin to their present place, I sup- pose the falls to have receded, worn by the action of the water and ’ by frosts 5 and cannot believe that they began in the general line of ending of the great shell lime stratum near Lewiston. In viewing the riyer from Lewiston upwards, the whole distance is very much of a similar character to within a mile of the falls : precipitous shores of rock, nearly parallel with each ether, the water dashing over a rough bottom, with a descent generally of about 20 feet in a mile. A short distance at the whirlpool, is the only exception to the above features : here the river is deep, and two or three times the common width. Owing to the easy disintegration of some of the rocks, the ra- vine is wider in some places than others. About a mile above the po the ravine through which this vast body of water dash- z, is so narrow, that a man standing on the brink of the ice on the American side, can throw a stone across the stream. If the falls were once at this place, why is no trace left behind? Or will it be said that a pool 240 feet deep was here, and that the rocks falling from the shores filled it up again? The narrowness of the chasm forbids this supposition, Immediately below the whirlpool, the ravine grows narrower as you descend towards the water, and here this mighty stream glides smoothly, though swifily, through a channel of but little wae are wide. ‘The firm rocks which form ei aid on a very narrow space. A cross section of the chasm and stream here, would be some- ing Bie et pears : The « ‘Geeiiotenia’ of the rocks on oer ede woold sidicaté that when the channel was less deep than at present, the water flowed above them, ee ee Observations on the South Side of Ontario Valley. 59 Supposed section of the American shore, between Lake Erie and Lewiston. V ee ee This section, designed to give FREER e P ssotie ides or ttle strata on the Hl Nh Ui > | American side of the Niagara, is nearly a copy of one sent to the late Professor Barton in 1813, and since returned to me by his executor, the late Dr. Adam Seybert, I am pleased to see one so nearly the same, sketched by Professor Eaton. South of the 12 mile creek valley, (down which it is design- ed to lead the Welland canal,) the great stratum of shell lime w appears to have sunk to a level, Ya We know not how low. By ex- ~~ aminations made, it is ascertain- } .. ed, that at se iaae> of So fost: maa. niga crea a the _ falls, not a stone exists. The Ww face of the rock may be as low N as the bottom of the Chippewa, _ (here 40 feet deep) and the flow ww SS SS SS NS PYLE U—"assoqyag y—sajsoyaun ye —"wopsinary ) DyunnvUuoy, *Z—'¥2a4) vinkng *t OL 7% nq re of the water through said canal, Se ih becoming unmanageable, we - i might see the destruction of. the q 2 \ S| 8 Ce Sia ten droppings of Heaven. ‘In one nigh, a single man, it iS said, -set the stream tor replace... The fine navigable a Fairhaven A bay, 9 miles in length, was turned into flats and shallows where-no sloop can enter.— The fish were all killed by the feculent flood. 60 On the Lunatic Asylums.in the United States. Art. IX. Statistical Notices of some of the Luxatic Asy.ums tn the United States. By T. Romeyn Beck, Read April 16, 1828 and April 29, 1829. “Insanity, with its causes, its probable increase, and its treat- ment, is a subject of deep interest to every civilized community. Its peculiar, but melancholy characteristic, which forbids any rea- sonable hope of cure, until the diseased subject is removed from his home and relatives, imposes the duty on governments of pro- viding for its proper management both as to safe keeping and as to the means of recovery. That the legislators of this country and its inhabitants have not been unmindful of the obligation, we shall endeavour to shew in the present communication. _ We shall first notice the Lunatic Asylum of this state. : “The “Society of the New-York Hospital” was incorporated, in 1771, and by the liberality of the legislature of the province, of contributors in England, and of domestic contributors, sufficient funds were obtained for the erection of a public building. This was proceeded in with great spirit, but in February, 1775, when almost completed, it unfortunately took fire and was nearly des- troyed. ‘¢ By this misfortune, the society suffered a loss of £7000, and pg crnanser ta uf their benevolent ‘plan yin nexe been Par sus-. naalae eiPtead: thoptoen alien. BHF tis War Veteecd Grint, Britain and the colonies, which took place in the same year, pre- ars core eet meme Rec series: apes ‘heeft fhe war ele ger drngonat fn fir of our citizens, prevented any attention to the institution, and ‘ee Reread January, 1791, that the house was ina proper.c coniiinn Seaeaee patients. Eighteen were then admit- » ted. From p , the munific e of the | ; ? cs 68 } RE Ps a + and unwearied, 5 . % Ee | wih th icrene of tho paints and tho ‘algiond inrore ments of its governors. | ciecthoers ciated: eti inetilitienscimcties state: Sie'tlie-rebptinn ipettentce: Bes saettiges Se sn ina wike e AML « On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 61 ate apartments in the hospital for patients of that description. The building, however, not being designed for such a purpose, the accommodations were found to be extremely inconvenient and inadequate, and as the applications for their admission con- stantly increased, it was resolved in 1806, if the legislature would lend its aid for that purpose, to erect a separate building, to be exclusively eoropeany to the reception of that unfortunate class of beings. ——— The a pieied successful, and a building denominated the ** Lunatic AsyLum,” was immediately erected in the vicinity of the Hospital, This edifice contained 64 rooms, and could ac- commodate about 70 or 75 patients. It was opened on the 15th of July, 1808, under the medical superintendence of Archibald Bruce, M. D. By an act of the legislature the proper officers in a city or coun- ty were allowed to contract with the governors of the hospital, for the care and maintenance of any pauper lunatic under their respec- tive jurisdictions, and accordingly many have, from time to time, been sent to it from various parts of the state. The ee Asylum” conminuest to be the only public institution in Dr. Bice continued syed ant 1817, she Dr. William Handy was appointed.. He was succeeded in 1819 by Dr. John Nielson, - We now proceed to give @ detailed account of the numbers ad mitted and dischar, Seite 62 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. : ADMITTED. | DISCHARGED. or | p23). | |ss 3 Tos ~ sees at Time. =| 3 SiS leecls! Les , oe, Oe am 2 Me s = 4 ia se SFE TS |} § |S fez8lsi 3 (Se 2 By S i= . SSS PR |S] x PES A SS From Jan. 31, 1795 1804} 11] 46]. 67|| 22) 6}. .12|—}. 3] 15 1805} 15) 60] 75|| 30} 4) 13;\—} 8] 20 1806} 20} 68| 88}; 29} —} 3ij—} 7 21 1807} 21} 47} 68|| 18} 3) WWleep 4} 24 1 24| 66| 90|| 16} lol i6\—| 4| 44 44| go] 124|| 92} 4] asi} 98} 42 1810) 42} 92) 133]) < 7} 16\—| 10) 56 1811} 56] 108| 164|| ¢ 9 14) 3) 19) 52 1812} 52} 127] 179}} 64) 14! 95! 1) 31) 64 1813| 64] 105| 169)! 47] 19] 27|—| 6 70 1814] 70} 104} 174/{ 23) 39; 14] 7} 9] 82 1815} $82} 69] 151]} 27) 2’ iss OES FQ 1816| 74; 49} 123]| 14; 10) isi-}. 5) 76 1817| 76} 49) 125 { : 34i—. 7| 79 1818] 72] 75) 147|| 45} 4} 13;=|- 5] 70 1819} 70} 78} 148/|. 44, 9] o4|-] 7 64 1820} 64; 87] 151|/ 48} 16 —| 10} 61 to July 21, 1821 61] 60) 121)) 26} 1) 37|—-| 5} 62 | lise | 700 a4 427 Ay 153 pak. LiGES * gee ee re eee ee ee “Admitted from Jan. 31, 1a to July 21,1821, «1584 ‘Discharged, Recovered, — - 700 Relieved, ee SE 241 Discharged, from various cane a by request or eloped, - 427 Incurable, Ae ee il Died, 153 Transferred to to the Bloomingdale Asylum, a July 21, 1821, 52* i ae Cavses.—These are not given in the printed reports, with the moi exception, that fr vome ears the eared an ; 1814 there were * Saw thal eae — Bids : 1815 ; > + We a can Bad no trace ~ - Remaining Dec. 31, 1828, . Srrecies or Insanrry.—There is considerable variety in the arrangement of the species of insanity. We shall state them as _— ak vere adventitious, Imbecility, Sli Itt t se] | habitual. Dementia. jf | Imbecilily Te Mere ete Mania e nolu. | | oI | 66 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. Causes.—These are given in detail for one - sal viz. 1826; of nfeGiemnane, thece.aroae ftom — Bodily disease, - st Organic affections of the bai, ori cia or squire 4 Hereditary, - 6 Pr imarily moral, oy - - - - - 35 In 1822, 33 cases were from 2 ME gE 1923, from do. In the reports, the old and recent cases are distinguished from each om We. are not able, however, to make the ensuing ta- les, perfectly omplete, in consequence of the deaths or elope- ments not Bate | in all cases referred to one or the other. They are. =e added, without reference to the length of the illness. 1 OLD CASES. i ' ADMITTED. DISCHARGED. - . atts 3 Time 5 1-5 igs 3 £2 «sain ncinsine enschede kebab el = ° oe : = Ras ae 3 - é ~~ ' ‘Remaining of 1821) ~ 65 1822). 29 sina 8 1823} 68 |) 18} 7 10 : —— 1824 70 27; 6 ee ¥ inaea ne 18: 2% eee | 20 7 = — iz: # 3 *4 ons ee aa 3 1 ; i : 31 uo maa} stata als SA Road fo BEF dea 1 Ts sos 42) 4 4 — lei nee: ail nie SETS r sf 422 * 76| eA " ! 7 * - — 4 = tae > 3 ¢ Ss © a = mires ate es - : * 4 a ‘ me a . Hs : f . icc ~ 3) | eRe naar ” et ‘aie Wf * $ S- ‘ ise Ltt i: = 3 % ae ; y t f ce oe ere he SSS eee ae | ba On the Innatic Asylums in the United States. 67 RECENT CASES, ADMITTED. DISCHARGED. rl | : =| : eid lee els Time. S SS Biosoc Be6 Sal Se i fissile | z eee F|s}s Remaining of 1821] 18 oe 1822 73 4a4| 10 6; 10; — 1823 37; 6 z 4 ee 1824, 561i] gi} of 3] —| 9 1825 89 51} 1 s}| —| 16 ~ 1826} 93 || 68} 6) 7} =} ‘Abe 1827; 92 S| 141 7) 1828 92 55 i ig oe 9 | sei || 341! 55| sol 14] 61 Total, - - - 520 Saindiishis eis 31, “1528, - 21 L Ifto the Old Cases, asabove, 383 ok Geri de and Recent Cases do. Bal: = we add Eloped, - * = 2 —— : Hey Bs bd ee » 4 Se a ee Old Cas - ae enials 581 - —1003 We shall have the a ascatrt oa to those i te viz. 422 ares | "ke enpeeetiotval ell iceiaaial given a flows MALES, FEMALES. 338 1623 = St 1S *T. En, _- An Account of the New-York aaa By0. Pee: 1811\—The Same, 8vo, New-York, 68 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. PENNSYLVANIA eis: This institution is the oldest of its kind in the United States, and its medical department has been. illustrated by the labors of Morgan, Shippen, Wistar and Rush— besides many other departed as well as living worthies in the sci- ence. Lunatics appear to have been received since its opening in 1752. In 1796 however, a portion of the extensive building, now occupied, was finished for the reception of the insane, and upwards of 70 rooms are appropriated to their use. It constitutes the west wing. ‘‘ There are fifty-six separate sleeping rooms, each about ten feet square—four larger apartments usually occupied by a patient with an attendant, the long garret in which about twelve of the most quiet male patients usually sleep, and a small garret with beds for four females. On the first story of the wing are two dining rooms, the matron’s apartment and a sitting roonr for the female patients, In the rear of this wing is also a detached build- Pes with separate sleeping —— each about ten feet by eight, for eighteen insane females.’? The cells are warmed by fire loans aiiials inclosed within the wall and opening into the passage, so that the inhabitant is rendered comfortable without having access to the fire. The fuel now employed throughout the house is Lehigh coal. Provision has also been made to have day rooms, for the exer- cise mane _ ompiay eet of ime pinatics of gach sex. abiatanh DOM ux. = Pee ree po ogni oy During the day, they a hiya entertained as already stated, in large convenient rooms, or when the weather permits, in agreeable and shady court yards in the open air, . Great pains are taken to find them em The use of metallic chains is-forbidden—the eubstitute for thom being composed of links of strong bend-leather. The strait jacket is also nearly out of use. Straps buckling over the arms, or sleeves inclosing the whole hand and loosely fastened at the end to a waistband, so as in both instances to admit of as great free- dom of motion as possible, le, are the modes adopted for confining the disorderly, The only punishments: as leaeiies: one Pap to a 46 “4 i hii ha A210 UTD Der or on whom clothes cannot be kept; is | 1820.—Annual Reporlinf the Govern of tie < Ne Yat Hepa to the — vane to 1828. P (Journal iP FS See Se Oe pa On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 69 frequently only one or two being in the former and none in the latter predicament.” The following table is the result of a very careful examination of the records of the Hospital since its commencement to the 26th of April, 1828, by Mr. William G. Malin, clerk of the institu- tion. - Whole number of cases admitted fg the above 3457 period Of ony eas are Retcnind as Insanity strictly, : | 3245 * and Delirium Tremens, or lasesiity aed % ; intemperance, 242 3487 Cases of Insanity, from February 11, 1752, to April 26, 1828, AE A CRE A SN ONE nan 6 SRN, | Removed _ Total. Cured. |Relieved.jby friends.| Eloped.| Died. |Remain. Males, 2418} 910 452 444 188 | 364 60 Females, 1069 344 250 224 42 162 47 ee — 526 et? Mr. M. adds, that a large proportion of the deaths have been from old age or diseases having no necessary connection with in- sanity. It should also be stated, that a large proportion of the oe occurred before the wall was erected.* | ® History of ee eanag repays Heepeal, y Benj. H. Coates, M. D. in the Phila. pe 9, Pe Sei Sess ow delphia Journal éd the only account 6 the Lunatic Dep li the present paper, yee iis ohn donee from the absence ri ——— tables, it es caped my notice. (June, la pamph- let, entitled “ Some account of th origin, objects, esent state of the Penn= sylvania Hospital,” containing the table “above quoted. In- ‘Augest, 1828, Mr. Hazard, in his very valuable “ Register of P. ”” published an account of the Hospital, with statistical tables. The Shieh ee eee ke. he ob: tained from Mr. Malin, and adds that “‘ they have never been It may be proper to subjoin, that Dr. Coates states Be cnet fii, iu the Hospital to be about 90, (page 40) whi are (vol: 2, page 96) puts — ate < deent — ote course ~ —- variable from year to year, and I 100 in the text. oer a 70 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. The Frienps’ Asytux for the Insane néar Philadelphia, was founded by that religious denomination, in imitation of the “ Re- treat” at York. It is erected in a retired situation, and on elerat- ed ground, five miles from the city of Philadelphia, and one mile- from Frankford. ‘The buildings are of stone, and consist of a cen- tre edifice with two wings. The centre building is 60 feet front and three stories high. The wings are each 100 feet front and two stories high, Long galleries divide the ranges of rooms from each other. The doors have each a moveable small door i in the pannel, to be opened from without. The windows of each room have cast-iron frames, and they are so constructed as to be darkened at pleas- ure. The edifice is warmed by heated air sent through flues is- suing from stoves or large ovens, built in the arches of the basement of each wing. To the buildings are attached workshops for the patients, and the whole are surrounded by airy grounds, The patients are classified into the harmless and the violent and noisy ; the latter are not allowed to come out of their rooms, while the former eat at table with the superintendant and his family. The diet is uniformly good, no meagre days being allowed—but neither spiritous nor fermented liquors are permitted. The only modes of coercion are, if necessary, the shower bath, immersion in Ores or the strait. waistcoat, | : y evening, all the male a ‘i: Safeline except one or two, who are permanently secluded, are collected to- gether in their day-rooms, where a portion of scripture is read to them, ‘This exercise seldom meets with any interruption from them, but on pong there is great silence and quiet.” We have » d to mention, although that of course will be After this brief sketch of on sare the Aap we ad the ollowi € s Statistical details, given hia ‘Waln. On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 71 Died, - todas ited bike Remaining in the house,_ ee walle ve bee RB ican | — 158 Annual average number of patients during eight years, 19. Annual average number for five years ending in 1825, ale piditece number during the jaa ending. in March, 1325, 33* The pes ee See Asytum was founded through the sheshined liberality of the legislature and the citizens of the state. Itis situ- ated in the city of Hartford ; and judging from the engraving pre- fixed to the third report, the building must be large and spacious, and combine all the comforts of a New-England country residence. It was opened on the first of April, 1824, under the medieal super- intendence of Eli Todd, M.D. This gentleman we have heard spoken of by those who know him, as one of the first medical men in his native state ; and his success, as we shall. hereafter show, is a most sauaiiagige proof that his qualifications have not been overrated. - A remark made in the first report strikingly illustrates the value and indeed necessity of establishing lunatic asylums, Many, it is nS —— it was found necessary, when at home, to con- fine in ¢ ue in a few days after t ir rly and needed little or no restraint. The Bowie extract from the report of the visitin g physicians, dated May 11, 1827, will enable the society to inte concerning the mode of treatment pursued in this establishment, ~ **In respect to the moral and intellectual treatment, the first business of the physician, on the admission of a patient, is, to gain his entire confidence. With this view, he is treated with the greatest kindness, however violent his conduct may be—is allow- ed all the liberty which his case admits of, and is made to unde: stand, if he is threes of reflection, that so far from haying toa pleasant and peacatid’ beuilence, where all kinc ne: s and at- tention will be shown him, and where every means wi Ployed for the recovery of his health, In case coercion finement become necessary, it is mgt ‘his min Smee an eo at, Iphi jig nar Wa, Don (Phila. Sciences, vol. 1. New series.) 72 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. safety and that of his keepers. In no case is deception on the pa- tient employed or allowed—on the contrary, the greatest frank- ness, as well as kindness, forms a part of the moral treatment. His case is explained to him, and he is made to understand, as far as possible, the reasons why the treatment to which he is sub- jected has become necessary. ‘* By this course of intellectual management, it has been found, as a matter of experience at our Institution, that patients, who had always been raving, when confined without being told the rea- son, and refractory, when commanded instead of being entreated, soon became peaceable and docile. ‘¢ This kind of treatment of course does not apply to idiots, or those laboring under low grades of mental imbecility, but it is — so class of mental diseases, whether mani- acal or melancholic ‘In repect to the medical and dietetic treatment, it also varies i main, from the course adopted at other hospitals. Formerly patients Seeing under mental diseases were largely medicated, chiefly by emetics, cathartics and bleeding. At the present time this mode of treatment has given place to intellectual and dietetic regimen, in most European hospitals. The physi- cian of our Institution has introduced a course of practice, dif- fering from both these, but partaking more or less of each. He combines moral and medical treatment founded upon the princi- ples of mental philosophy and physiology. In one class of cases moral, and in another medical treatment, become the paramount —e but in each class of cases, both are combined.”? Fehr to the chronic cases, Dr. Todd remarks, “ that Connecticut Retreat is opened with a broader latitude of ad- sion ‘than § is Common to other institutions.” The far-famed Retreat at York in England, profess ssedly y de. voted to similar objects, admits no idiots, nor maniacal ¢ cases re- treme to low i goes ~! mental dilapidation. OF the thirty-four Se sis = Sv is Se Gag on ite term of trial pre , in such in _ by most other insti- tutions, - Six months? residence in the Retreat, has been thought On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 7 by many who have placed their diseased friends in the Institution, to be a liberal allowance of time for deciding the question of re covery, in cases of 10 years duration. As if the chaos of illusions, teeming for years in a distempered imagination, and revived with innumerable repetitions, by the unexhausted workings of insanity, might be swept at once from the tablets of the mind, by a profes- Sional receipt; or the stormy passions of confirmed madness, al- ready threatening the foundations of intellect, might be hushed and subdued by the sovereign touch of some Esculapian trident ! He who seeks for events, not in miracles nor in magic, but in the operation of settled laws, will comprehend why years of persever- ing effort must be required for the cure of long established cases of insanity ; and although he ought never to be sanguine in his hopes, yet, if his mind be endowed with a tact to perceive the sub- tle individualities of a case, and detect them under the disguise of a general character, he will find that such a case is marked as dis- tinct and separate from its class, and completely exempted from the general rules of treatment and prognosis. Should he have learned to distinguish a derangement of mental functions from a destruction of mental organs, where inaansty st the obe casis dis- case on the list, where the still « intellect”? may be kindled and nursed into a clearer = brighter flame, by the delicate and dexterous administration of continued and well adjusted moral and intellectual remedies.” the kindness of Dr. Todd, I am enabled to present the results of this institution for the five years during which it has been in operation. A large portion of the following tables, and eee the details of the last year, have never been pene NUMBER Sere seaet i AND SEX. Ist year. From April 1, 1824 to Apri iP 1895, hb ee betye de: ee Qd year. From a 1, 1525 to April : 1826, e 20 33 3d year. From Aprill, t 4, 1927, | 984, BP. k. OF 4th year. From April 1 1827 to April 1, 1s28, | 18 | 22 nf ‘Sth year. From April 1 Sear ak ril 1 1, 1829, go, 2 eae, oe 42 ete tee tet pen Reh OOS Re 24 F 7 1 ) Z 5 » rs ew x “ 74 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. AGE. j alSiIFSISISIR LS], wis telseisieieore STa 1S FST StS Pre Ist year, | —| 11] 11] 12} 8] 1{ 1| 44 o8 year, PSs Fe) ef Pp Pa year, 4; 1%). 6) 5} 4) 24 -—-)) -37 Ath year, $/.9;,16| 9] 2] tT] — | 4 Sthyear, | TF} 19 | 11) 11} —}/—}|— | 42 “} 8 1-70 | 66 | 43 | led 4b 1 | 196 ite RE i PIES CONDITION OF LIFE. | St Sloe! a : ; a Z\|2Slasi2-e] Ss.) # } | 23 a|2t (24 = | 2 | Total coro SIE SIRE sats 1 ss is packed: cakt! Toth Ge aenb & ist'year, [14 | oT 47] 4] rh a] 3d year, 6/10) 177 5) —1}— | "37 4th year, 9; 13 9 o9j);—i Sth year, | 10) 6; 13) 13) — es 41 | 48 | 65 | 39 2 2N:4O6 is cou AaB nce ee oA eet SPECIES OF INSANITY. Reet thas : oe Be 3d | 4th | oth py eae! . Year.) Year. | Year. |Year. |Year.| °° Mania | ae Bogie ie pate ferox, : @sibidhbs Hot. Ani 6 21 sultans, 6 4 7 9 5 31 despondens, 3 7 8 7 5 30 puer 2 a ee —_— 3 demens, _ Se SS Se ae ee ee 19 imbecilis, peepee Sy og bog: bigs errabunda See ee ee eee ee 1 complacens, — |— —«sI— —jt— js 3 ymphomania, — | _— | ee ee 1 Melancholia complacens, 2 3 2 3, 24 12 errabunda 2 1 j|— 1 /— 4 attonita, 4 a 5 &. | 1l - d ndéns — — — ge — iatevdins’ a ped ieee be 5 "Oe aad ole Bodt Tad 8 Nernenpe ay, A — O. $a Sls Beet Ts Pri = bey ae a ie aso 1 | ibaa ee i i ; aa | 33 | 37 | 40 | 42 | 196 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 75 CAUSES, Hereditary, + 9 She Congenital, i peg NE wt aE « Constitutional, ~ c4.6 Saas Meares ™ Intemperance, - = * = = = Puerperal, ee eet ee OS Blowonthehead, - - - - - Long continued typhus, _—- - - - _ Bilious remittent fever, - - - - ~ Repelled cutaneous disease, - - = Excessive venereal indu ; . . Derangement of digestive snp te or hepatic disease, - Malformation or structural Pe of the bs Insolation in a tropical climate, « Mental and bodily fatigue under a topical sun, Bodily disease, Se Periodical, . . im ae Excessive study, - - Disappointment in basins, ies of property, Disappointed affection, : ; big 2 ; ‘a tf - - So M55 - Ps: Sag CO ee - Religious exciterieut ot Wespond sa poe Domestic troubles, - - - 8 Austerity of parental povereneat: - - Agitation on the near ae” of mation, 1 Jealousy, 1 Excessive ietieths on return front a long voyage, 1 Disappointed ambition, - 2 Employment which prevented sivas fea 1 Predisposition various causes, (one from novel reading) - é.. Unknown, tes yo) ot ee ee 196 DURATION OF THE DISEASE. _ ~ ‘The cases admitted are divided into recent and chronic. ‘By the former, are understood those whose duration has not exceeded one year ; while under the latter, are’ ee the disease has been more prolonged. * In one case the eleventh in the family. 76 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. , Recent. {| Chronic. | Total. Ist. year, 12 32 44 2d year, 16 17 33 e 3d year, 23 14 37 4th year, 26 14 40 Sth year, 20 22 42 97 99 | 196 It is proper to mention in this place, that among the chronic cases are included many concerning whom all hope of successful treatment is abandoned, but who are kept in the institution with the view of rendering their situation more comfortable, Duripg the first year, of 32 chronic cases, 12 had been insane from one to five years, 8 from five to ten years, 6 from ten to fif- ‘teen, and 6 from fifteen to twenty years. Five of these were in a state of helpless idiotism, and 6 in that of mental de de. In the report for the fourth year, it is stated, that two thirds of the chronic cases then reported belong to the incurable ones, thus leaving only ten out of thirty that could be considered as subjects or treatment. RESULT OF TREATMENT. RECENT CASES. DISCHARGED, I} REMAINING, = 3 bo = 2 | fEls 3! Bre SIs 5 Sea es afe Slam 2 as SS L i= ii ~ ~ Sis ~ 3/3 S SSS S/S /S21S 18 S =5 sj /Q iS SPS [Oa |S ist year, 5} 2 1] 1) Qj) 4 2d ye js ee 3\—)| 2) 5; 3d year, | 25/ 1] ee | ap2 4thyear, | 21; — } —j|—| 5, & 5th year, 22 — fant 3) 2 : 85.| 4 oe a On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 77 CHRONIC CASES. g “7 DISCHARGED. {| REMAINING. Att Vi - = . . > Z| Siete] | | SIE S le fleles isis elsls| z 3 S/S) (8/5 1| 8 $/8/3 = mS ISIS 88 [8 135) S la] S Ist year, — |} 7} 3} 1) 1/121! 6] 5) 9} 20 2d year, 2; 4] 3 8i—/17|| 1] 61138) 20 3d yea 4| 5| 5] 4|—l1si| 1 | oli3) 16 4th year, 3; 3)—; 1,3 10| — | 4,16; 20 Sthyear, | 5| 3 | 4|12| 2/26) 4 3| 9| 16 14 | 22 |15/26| 6/ss!! | , ——— — Recent cases discharged, 96. Remaining, 1. Total, 97 Chronic cases do. 83. do. 16, 99 | : : 196 Recovered. Recent cases, 96 Chronic cases, 14 ' 100 Recovery as to Duration of the Disease. Of 97 Recent cases, 86 recovered. 99 Chronic cases, Recovery as to Age. Between 10 and 20, 60 and 70, 1 70 and 80, 1 100 Recovery as to the Species of Insanity. 3 Males. | Females. | Total. Mania, 35 28 . . Melancholia, 16 13 29 Delirium T: 7 one 7 78 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. On an examination of the reports, it is also found that more cases of recovery occur when the disease originates in what are technically called physical causes, than when from moral ones. Thus, 15 arising from Intemperance, recovered. Hepatic or bodily disease. Typhus fever. Disappointed affection. Grie we wOwowor Ee Pacers to obtain Statistical accounts, Others however eX- ist in ‘various begets of the union.* Private Asylums, my information is very F scanty. I may however mention that the late Dr. James P. Chaplin, con- ducted a most excellent and successful one for many years of his life, at Cambridge, near Boston. In a biographical notice of Dr. C. it is stated, that ‘* probably no institution of the kind in this “* country ever presented a greater number of cures. His method ‘*‘ was amoral one. In common cases, he used no medicine but occasional purgatives. Coercion and confinement were but “ Mae employed, and violence made no part of the system. It “was by his peculiar calm, commanding manner, and admirable ‘* judgment in conversing with his patients, that he succeeded in ‘* softening the obstinate and controling the violent. To moral ‘* modes of treatment, he added a careful regimen and great exer- “ cise+ A brief comparison of the aboye results, with those deduced from the experience of the principal Lunatic Asylums in Europe, will form a proper conclusion to this paper. And first, of the - PROPORTION OF CURED. : _ Centesimal : £3 z orl No. al < oO in every 100, New-York Lunatic Asylum, from : 1795 to 1821, © 1584 700 44.19 Bloomingdale Asylum, 7% years, 1043 436 41.80 Pennsylvania . Hospital, from 1752 | ~ to 1828, 3487 1254 =: 35.96 Friends’ Asylum near Philadelphia, . § years, 53. - 33.54 Connecticut Asylum, 5 years, is6 «6-100 ~— 51.01 Mean, i According to Dr. Casper, who has.examined the returns from the principal Hospitals and Asylums in England and be the mean of cures are as follows : In France, out of 100 insane, 44.81 are cured. _In England, out of LOO insane, . . 37.40%. | There may however be some fallacy in these general deductions, and nh meee’ 2 ae distinct returns from various Institutions. = eb tmieo ny: sr RE Pere cent. | hiay ee ae a) Sa alpetriere and Bicetve, Paris, (1801 to 1821, \t 12,592 4968 nearly 30 Aversa near Naples, (1814 to 1823 Il 29.70 Senevra Hospital, Milan, (1892 to 1826,)+ 58 Charenton, Paris, (1826—7—8, )§ 33° Bethiem, London, (1817 to 1820, )t 54 St, Luke’s yp Lanslod, (1800 to 1819, )+ 46 Proportion of Cae in cet ond Old Cass. | Bisninpdah Asylum. Recentcases, . - - 5ST om 58.60 © * Ametican Medical Review, vol. p13. seta i “tty it ' 2d edition. Paty ie eee t Barrows’ ccmaaterian @ on Insanity, pages 519, 522, 51: Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. a7. 7. p- 230. § Esquirol in *** Annales Sgr Publique-et De Medecine Legale,” No. 1, page 130. Admitted. Cured. Per cent. Connecticut Asylum. Recent cases, - - 97 86 88.66 Old cases, - - 99 14 14.14 ‘These may be compared with the result at the Retreat near York, (from 1796 to 1819.) Recent cases, - - 92 65 70.65 Old cases, - - 161 a]. 20h Dr. Burrows’ Private Asylum. Recent cases, ie. eee eee Ee Old cases, = 54 19 35.18 _ Glasgow Lamatic Asylum. | 3 | Recentcases, .- ~~ ai | 50.00 Old cases, Ee, 13,00* Sex.—This is not detiogtaied except in the Bloomingdale and Connecticut Asylums. Males. Females. Bloomingdale, Be gee 13 350 Connecticut, . - 108 88 Tn explanation of the great excess of males in the first of these, a fact mentioned to me by Dr. A. V. Williams of New-York, (who was ‘for several years, house physician at the Asylum) may be stated. It is, that in the Bellevue Hospital, where the pau- per lunatics are confined, the females greatly exceed the males ; a oo oe mount of both establishments were In Scotland, in 1818, according to the feturne made by the clergy of the established church, the respective numbers were, Males, 2,311. Females, 2,339. | Dr. Esquirol, in the work already quoted, after noticing the re- turns from Asylums in every part of Europe, and showing that fe- male lunaties are most nume! ous in France, ae and Holland, 2 8 » makes seek total os ee Ce: Ay > trifli j 1 letai ils fir ' m thi oun, ty.) and finde Gs asa tbe | | Dees a = 5,201 Females * Burrows. On the Lumatic Asylums in the United States. 81 Mortality. 7 Admissions. Deaths. Proportions. New-York Lunatic Asylum, 1584 153 1 in 103 Bloomingdale Asylum, = - 1043 59 = 1 in 174 Pennsylvania Hospital, - 3487 8526 lin 64 Friends’ Asylum, -~— - 158 21 Lin 74 Connecticut Asylum, - 196 8 1 in 243 According to Burrows, the mortality at the Wakefield Lunatic Asylum, (England, ) is lin 4 Lancaster Lunatic Asylum, lin 4 Senevra, (Milan,) - - - - 1 in 23 Cork Lunatic Asylum, (Ireland, : pine aes lin 3 Glasgow Asylum, (Scotland,) - 1 in 10 Friends’ Asylum at York, (England, ) - lin 5* ee to news the a. in Pari - 1 in 13 ileus (Naples,) EOE 2 JOC EOL Jin 4t Proportion of Insane to the whole Pd ion of the State. According to the census census of 1825, the state of New-York con- tained a population of 1,616,458. The number of Lunatics was 819 Idiots, 1421 2240 Or, 1 in 721. in Scotland, the trod wh isone in 400 In Paris, = - - onein 350 In London, - - - £onein 600 In England and Wales, one in 2000 [aed _ There can hardly be a question, that the estimate for Great g too low ; but even granting with London, and thus making th ] ir own state more fi * B Commentaries, p. 552, &c. , : + Edinburgh Med. and Surg. Journal, vol. 28, p. 230. 11 52 On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. able than in foreign countries, still the proportion is one that de- serves the serious attention of every philanthropist and statesman. We have but one Asylum incorporated by the government for the safe-keeping and management of upwards of 800 lunatics and 1400 idiots; and it has been the practice until very lately to confine many paupers of the above description, either in county jails, or peor-houses, or in private dwellings. In April, 1827, an act was passed by the legislature, forbidding the confinement of any lunatic or idiot in a prison or house of cor- rection ; nor is it even permitted to confine in this way a person furiously mad. High penalties are prescribed for violating the — law. The utility of these enactments is already witnessed. In the county of Albany, commodious apartments, separated from the main body of the alms-house, have been completed for its pauper insane, and by an act passed in March, 1828, the county of Washington is allowed to raise a certain sum of money for the erection of such additional buildings as may be deemed necessary and proper for the idiot and lunatic paupers. Our commendation must, however, end in an acknowledgment of the increased attention paid by the legislature to the proper safe- keeping of this unfortugate class of beings. The system itself is radically defective. lt does not make the requisite provision r cure—it is far from effecting the necessary ce it does not sufficiently guard the public from the consequences of furious madness—and finally, it is the most expensive mode of providing for them. The experiment has been tried on a large scale in Great Britain, and to condemn it I need only refer to the tales of horror and of misery developed by an investigation into the condition of lunatics in county poor-houses. It is evident that the most humane, the most efficient, as well as the most economical plan, would be, for the state to erect in its various great divisions, extensive Lunatic Asylums, provided wi proper enedicg! attendance, and all the safeguards so essential _ both to the patients and the public. Let these be increased, if the increase of the malady demands it. The burden of their support will fall equally upon all; the success of their treatment which we might reasonably sume would leave vacancies for new cases 3 and instead of merely, al keeping them jimeustody, to wear out a miserable existence, new trophies might be gained for the medical art, and many valuabie citizens restored to their families and the er On the Lunatic Asylums in the United States. 83 Norr—Owing to unavoidable delay in printing this article, I am enabled to add the following report from the Pennsylvania Hospital, for the year, from April 26, 1828, to April 25, 1829. Of 200 patients in the Hospital, there were an. . = a Relieved, a eo Discharged by request, - - 930 Discharged, - ea I — + + «+ - 7 Remaining, - - - - 106 200* * Hasard’s Register of Pennsylvania, vol. 3, p. 349. 84 Great Greywacke Region of the State of New-York. Art. X. Observations on the Great Greywacxe Recion of the State of New-York. By James O. Morss, of Cherry- Valley, Corresponding Member. Read October 28, 1829. The comparative strength, and fertility of the different soils of our state, is a subject in which considerable interest is beginning to be felt ; and as these soils can be most accurately classified, by considering the kind of rock on which they repose, it is hoped that the following paper will not be thought altogether unworthy of a place among the records of the Institute. The greywacke region, now under consideration, commences on Lake Erie, and extends to the east as far ¢ as the western parts of the counties bordering on the Hudson. Its northern boundary commences on the shore of the lake, a little above Buffalo, and runs east in a serpentine course to the county of Schoharie, and then stretches more north, so as to em- brace portions of the counties of Montgomery, Schenectady and Albany. This northern boundary is all the way, more or less in- dented by tracts of country in which lime-stone is the mass of rock on which the soil reposes. These spots of lime-stone soil, pene- trate the northern boundary of the greywacke region, from one to twenty miles. The southern boundary of this great region is, all the way, south of the line of our state, and has never as yet, it is believed, been accurately traced. ‘The soil is somewhat diver- — sified, but has many common’properties. In like manner, the rock on which it reposes, varies in colour and texture, but its general properties are perceptibly the same. The surface of this region is generally uneven, and in many places its undulations rise to high hills and mountains. The water is pure, soft and wholesome. Its elevation varies from about 600 to 1650 feet above tide water. The loose stones scattered over the surface, are portions of the greywacke, and boulders and fragments of gneiss, quartz, and some of granite. The greywacke on which the soil reposes, is generally a good distance below the surface of the ground, and of different compact- ness, Near Lake Erie it is quarried into blocks that make excel- es oy stone ; and there are various other places where it is rried in large square and oblong masses, that are much used, Grind stones are made of it, which have a near resemblance to those made from the quarries on Cayahoga river, in Ohio. Public Great Greywacke Region of the State of New-York. 8&5 : sentiment is undergoing a rapid change, favourable to the fertility of the soil of this region. Wherever this tract of country is not at too great an elevation, it produces extremely well. As you ap- proach Lake Erie, there is a rich loam in which all kinds of grain and fruit come to great perfection. The soil of this region evi- dently wears better, and requires less manure than that of a lime- stone region. The cattle from some parts of it are in higher repute in Phila- delphia, than any other. The pure springs of water with which it abounds, make it one of the healthiest parts of our country, and the increase of its population is now very rapid. This, in 1825, amounted (the part of it in our own state is meant) to more than 350,000, and it is now greatly augmented. Some of our mineralogists have doubted whether the rock of this region was, properly speaking, greywacke ; but of this there can be but little question. Professor Jameson describes grey- wacke, as composed of sand connected together by a basis of clay slate. A minute inspection of the rock of this region will convince any one that our greywacke has these component parts. ian one e place: howeraty peer Se head waters of one of the branch- ‘ ee a ae a “ “ . - nm! ee, FS Ce ee riga ae os, See aie: L a soe” re S ¢ at an large masses of “greywacke a are found in place, in which are ie bedded and intermixed sand and pebbles, exactly resembling those found on the shores of the lake. It is known that in the greywacke regions of Europe, this kind of rock is uncommonly productive of metalliferous ores, both in beds and veins ; but as yet they have not been discovered in that region in our state. In the principality of ‘Transylvania, i in Europe, the greywacke is traversed by numerous small veins of gold. The greywacke soil of this principality, like ours, is fertile and abounds in rich MF 8447 wees Aw pastures. | The alluvions, and second bottoms, on the streams and in the vallies of our greywacke region, possess uncommon fertility, and will ere long, it is believed, furnish immense quantities of hemp, as measures are in progress for the general introduction of this staple into the region. OFFICERS OF THE ALBANY INSTITUTE, FOR 1829. President, STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER. | Vice Presidents, SIMEON DE WITT, OLIVER KANE, ALFRED CONK- LING Treasurer, CHARLES R. WEBSTER. Corresponding Secretaries, PETER GANSEVOORT, M. HENRY WEBSTER, N. F. BECK. Recording Secretaries, HENRY W. SNYDER, ELISHA W. SKINNER, JULIUS R. AMES. Iabrarian, JOSEPH HENRY. Curators, T, ROMEYN BECK, RICHARD V. DE WITT, ‘LEWIS C, _ BECK, M. HENRY WEBSTER, PHILIP TEN EYCK. Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 87 Art. XI. Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York, designed chiefly to show the general Elevations and Depressions of its Surface. By Josern Henry. Read October 28, 1829, The Topography of the state of New-York, viewed either in re- lation to that of the continent of North America in general, or only in reference to the space included within its own political boundaries, presents many interesting and peculiar features. The two great lakes, and their outlets, forming a natural boun- dary on the north and west ; the continued chain of water com- munication of the Hudson re Lake Champlain, along the whole eastern section ; the connected series of smaller lakes in the inte- rior, together with several large streams which rise in the middle of the state, and pass through its southern boundary ; all give to the surface of New-York a diversity of aspect, and a facility of internal navigation, possessed by no other section of our own coun- try, and perhaps not surpassed by any of equal extent on the sur- face of the globe. The eastern portion of the United States, designated by geogra- phers as the Atlantic slope, is separated from the central part, or the great valley of the Mississippi, by a marked walcoeee. ‘con ing of a continuous swell or ridge of land exten ag from Alabama to the south shore of Lake Ontario. This ridge i is ‘he true water shed of the country, and determines the course of the rivers falling into the Atlantic on the one side, and those into the Mississippi on the other. It has a mean height of about 3000 feet ; ‘and cannot be crossed at any point south of the state of New- York, by an elevation of less than two thousand feet above the ocean. Upon the acclivities of this ridge are based an indetermi- nate number of spurs, hills, and collateral subordinate ridges, which often rise toa much greater height than the crest of the water shed. ‘These subordinate ranges are not continuous, but are often cut through by the Atlantic rivers : They have, however, nearly the same direction as the main ridge ; and in passing through North-Carolina and Virginia, assume the form of four principal ranges, nearly parallel to each other. The three west- ernmost of these mingle together in the northern part of Pennsyl- vania, and form a mountain chain, which diverges to the east from the great water shed, and in passing through the state of New- _ York, occupies the space between Seneca lake and the Hudson river. At first sight, it appears to terminate at the valley : of the 88 Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. Mohawk ; but it soon rises again on the north side of the river, and Be the mountain district between Ontario and Champlain ; is afterwards cut through by the valley of the latter, and then pass- es on towards the sources of the Connecticut. The remaining ridge of the four parallel ones continues separate from the others, and suddenly turns to the east in Pennsylvania, crosses the state of New-Jersey, and is deeply cut through by the Hudson at West- Point, where it forms the highlands of that river: It afterwards passes to the north in nearly a straight line, and forms the diyid- ing ridge between the waters of the Hudson and those of the Con- necticut : at the sources of the latter, it mingles with the other mountain chain, and they then together pass on to the northeast, and may be traced even to the coast of Labrador. The opening between these ridges forms a long, deep, and narrow valley, in which is situated the part of tig Hidien river between West- Point and Glen’s Falls, and the whole of Lake Champlain. South of this state, the several collateral ridges are cut through by the Susquehanna, the Potomac, and several other streams of less magnitude, which rise near the crest of the water shed, and flow with a rapid descent to the ocean. ‘This fact has been stated as something peculiar in the topography of our country, and has giv- en rise to the fallacious hope of finding practicable canal passes through the river vallies from the waters of the Atlantic to those of the Mississippi ; but the water shed, in its uninterrupted con- tinuity, every where rises as an insuperable b i pass yet found south of New-York is elevated 1 more than 2000 feet above — — as a whole, these eugene = known by the t: aes | : 2, , F ipa be ige: wd aye hi moral i serred tan tho Alleges and these again, in their para ney. ss ele i 1 tee oad (eal ‘amos, euch ab thd ite Ridge i in Virginia, the Catskill in New-York, and the White Mountains in New-Hampshire. From the above sketch of the great mountain system of our country, the peculiar topographical features of the state of New-York will be readily understood. The Appalachian system may be said to occupy the principal part of the state ; and, indeed, through the whole district, the mountains appear to be only partially poe by the vallies of may perhaps be best described as an elevated tract of country, with i in various places below its general level, The most importar t depressions of the surface are the great basins in which are situated the lakes Erie and Ontario, and the long nar- Togographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 8 row valley which contains the Hudson river and Lake Champlain. The two last are connected with each other by a valley occupied by the Mohawk river and the Oneida lake ; and with it, may be: considered as separating the whole mountain system of this state into three principal divisions. The first of these, and the largest of the whole, occupies the space situated south of the Mohawk river and the Ontario valley, and between the Hudson river and. Lake Erie. The second is the mountain district north of the Mo- hawk, and between Lake Champlain and the east end of Lake Ontario. The third division comprises that part of the mountain. range on the east side of the Hudson river included within. this. state. ‘The first division is separated into two parts, by the basins. of Seneca and Cayuga lakes, and by an elevated valley extending from the head of the former to the valley of the Chemung or Tio- ga river, at Newtown, ! | The western subdivision, or the part of the state between Seneca lake and Lake Erie, is occupied by that portion of the mountain system which we have called the water shed. This, in its course from the south, in Pennsylvania and. New-York, forms a high table land of about two thousand feet in mean eleva- tion. «The: -highest part. of it comprises the sunface.0f, the coun Cattarausus ugus and ; anda little to the north of these, it begins to decline, ‘and finally: de- scends, by three principal steps, to its terminations on the south ore of Lake Ontario. The great elevation and geographical im- portance of this table, may be inferred from the fact, that it gives rise to several streams of water, which find the level of the ocean at points almost as distant as the extremities of the continent: ‘The head branches of the Allegany, of the Genesee, and of the Susquehanna, are all found inosculating with. each other in the county of Allegany ; while their waters separately mingle with the ocean in the gulf of St. Lawrence, the Chesapeake bay, and the gulf of Mexico. But the following heights, from actual survey, will serve to give a more definite idea of its general elevation. Chautauque lake, the largest* sheet of water on this table, and. the most elevated off its size in the United States, is 1291 feet above the oe eats ereraei teers tm = Tis 18 miles lone. ae 12 APA eres, ES SE Sees g 2905 cubie fect of water per reinute.— Whippo’s Report. 12 90 Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. the Ohio and the Mississippi rivers. The lowest pass to the east; over a swell of land near Casadaga outlet in Chautauque county, is 1720 feet high ; and another pass in the same swell is 1972 feet. The lowest notch in the height of land between Elm and Lit- tle Valley creeks, in Cattaraugus county, is 1725 feet ; and be- tween Little Valley and Big Valley, the lowest pass is 2144 feet above the level of the ocean. Franklinville has an elevation of 1580 feet, and Angelica 1428 feet, although both are situated in vallies. This height of land extends close to the shore of Lake Erie, as it may be seen by the map, that one of the head branches of the Allegany, a tributary of the Ohio, rises within four or five miles of the bee iiss meee is net arose but consists of large swells of | The principal inliditatinocet the Senaiiens; is the valley of the Gana river, which may be considered as an arm of the Ontario valley, extending into the state of Pennsylvania. The extreme southern, branches of this river rise at an elevation of more than 2500 feet. The space between Seneca lake and the Hudson, and south of the Mohawk, is occupied by the mountain chain formed by the union of the three parallel ridges before mentioned, as mingling in Pennsylvania, and passing through New-York. The surface is much more uneven than that of the part just described, and pre- sents the general appearance of a number of eelgee a north.and south direction. The highest of these is the | , which bound the valley of the Hudson on the west, and rise in some places nearly 4000 feet higher than the level of the ocean. The Round Top is 3804, go pea ang ecko above ‘the state, are the vallies of the Susquehanna, the Delaware, and ‘their several, caiman oF ieiasiiaatas ». m fe Pads it will be +that the C oy See the Susquel ool the Delaware ee ails Siete in connexion with each oth- er, present an almost entire water course, extending along the Pennsylvania line, from Painted Post, in Steuben’ county, to the northwest _ of the = aoe ies iin; Bad ints | ae) Se oe Nae Sper see 2. : i esr fin Sx he ani te Cheng * As measured by Capt. Patridge. : = ae Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 91 rivers, the Owego and the Cayuta creeks, besides several smaller streams, descend to the south, and intersect the principal vallies in a remarkable manner, nearly at right angles to their general course. These streams all rise on a narrow table land, which is situated a little south of the line of the Erie canal, and may be traced on the map as forming the water shed, between the heads of streams flowing to the north and the south, in an uninterrupted course, from the Catskill mountains to the head of Seneca lake. Along the summit of this table land, are a number of small, but highly elevated lakes, which give a peculiar character to this re- ion, The first of these, from the east, and the largest of the whole, is Otsego lake, the outlet of which forms the Susquehanna river. It is a beautiful sheet of water, surrounded by high hills ; is nine miles in length, three in breadth, and elevated 1193 feet above the surface of the ocean. Tho next is Schuyler’s lake, which also gives a branch to the Susquehanna: It is situated a few miles to the west of Otsego lake, in the same county ; its ex- act elevation is not known, but it cannot be less than 1200 feet. The other lakes worthy of notice on this table land, are Cazenovia, Ekaneatelas and Owesro. _eheve cased mes a eet ee rites Glovated ar the to paerasentansd ‘the first 900 feet, the second 840, and the last 670 feet above the ae of the ocean. It might be supposed, by an inspection of the map, that Cayuga and Seneca lakes were also highly elevated on this table land ; but this is not the case, as the former is only 387 and the latter 47 feet above the level of tide. They in reality occupy two long narrow ravines, which deeply indent the surface of the adjacent country, and are separated from each other by a ridge which rises to the height of more than 800 feet above Cayuga lake. The smaller lakes above mentioned are situated several hundred feet above the highest level of the embine 2e- reo Uke os Pe 106 Lake Superior level, . . wor Mouth of St. Louis river into the western ang nef of Lake Superior, a 641 The slopes of the lower subdivision of the St. ian te Leaf which descend to the shores of I Lake Ontario, o oceup a of the state of New-York. B ern extremity of Lake Erie, the boundary or oie of this sub-basin may be traced on the map along the heads of streams falling into Lake the southern part of the counties of Erie and € ssh to the valley of the Genessee river, which is an arm + the St. Lawrence basin, stretching up into the high lands of Pennsylvania. From the Genessee river, the edge of the basin ‘curves to the southeast around the southern extremities of Seneca and Cayuga lakes, including the four smaller lakes which lie a aoe to the west of these. _The deep. ravines in which are fed eas! erly direction through the northern part of Cortland county, a little south of Skeneateles lake, in nearly a straight line to the Little Falls on the Mohawk river. Here it suffers, for the first Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York: 103 time in the course that we have described, an interruption, and an outlet appears to have been forcibly broken through into the lower valley of the. Mohawk, by some tremendous conyulsion of nature. From the Little Falls, the edge of the basin may be trac- ed along the sources of the Mohawk river, . Fish creek and the Salmon river,’ to - valley « of the Black river, which may be con- sidered a. of the St. Lawrence basin, extending back almost to the. salen: of ‘the Mohawk. From. the Black river to St. Regis the remaining part of the basin in this state is the narrow slope of land along the St. Lawrence river, and the several. vallies through which descend the Grass, the Racket, and the St. Regia rivers, From the foregoing description of the southern boundary of the lower subdivision of the St. Lawrence basin, it evidently compris- es the richest and most fertile part of the state, and includes the minor basins of the Genessee country, of the Oneida lake, and the valley of the Mohawk river as far east as the Little Falls. It is lso evident from the data before given, that the mean elevation of he high land, forming the boundary just described, must, beat cast Oe feat. shore Oe level of the ocean. On the north side of feet. below the level of the ocean, it. follows that this enltoctos "of water occupies the lower part of an immense hollow, the deepest depressions of which are more than two thousand feet below the general level of the surrounding mountain surface... As this hol- low is situated with its longer diameter directly across the moun- tain system, it lays bare to the view on its southern side the differ- ent strata of rocks which deeply interlays the surface of the coun- try to the south, and presents a geological - section in this state, perhaps not less eee than that at Paris, Jaen or Rome. att ee The Towost pass — the ocean into the St. Tasitihest thin it its whole extent, except the bed of the St. Lawrence river, is through the vallies of the: Hudson and the Mohawk riv- ers. The highest part of this pass is near the Little Falls, and is elevated only 425 feet above the level of tide water. 2 ‘The elevation of the lowest passes to the south, between the waters: of Lake Ontario and those of the Susquehanna and the © nelgaes ‘Sketch. 104 Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. Allegany rivers, are given in tables Nos. 5, 6, 7,8 and9, The lowest of these is shown in table No. 7, where the Seneca lake approaches to within 18 miles of the Chemung river, and is sepa- rated from it by an intervening elevation of 443° feet above the lake, or S90 feet above the ocean, The pass through which the Ohio canal is constructing is 395 feet above the level of the ocean, But the lowest pass to the south from any of the western lakes is that between the Chicago, a small stream emptying into the south- ern end of Lake Michigan, and the river Des Plaines, a branch of the Illinois. The summit is here only 17 feet above Lake Michi- gan, or about 617 feet above the ocean.* This is the most sur- prising and important hydrographical feature of our country ; as it here, comparatively speaking, requires but a slight effort of art to give a new outlet to the upper lakes, and to divert a portion of the waters of Superior and Michigan from their present channel of the St. Lawrence to that of the Missisippi. Indeed, two of the plans reported by the canal commissioners of the state of Illinois, are to eut entirely through the barrier, and to supply the summit of a canal through this pass with water directly from Lake Michigan. ‘From the elevations of the several notches in the height of land that surround Lake Ontario, we may infer the curious fact, that po a sufficient barrier were to exist across the St. Lawrence river aire ‘Guiebec, and another at the Little Falls on the Mohawk, Sa al ett eteeti ae te ee oh orks MOE. Reps tha f.lle -£ things at some remote period in the history of our globe, is a peat srvahal ee Aton eate Ree So genees 9: the tee of this hypothesis.+ * Report of th ral in , ¢ Api Cie Thor ofthe Ea rer ae — cad Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 05 No. XII. Taste of Ascents and Distances on the line of the Erie Canal, through the Mohawk valley from the mouth of the river to Little Falls, and thence along the St. Lawrence basin to: Lake Erie. | MILES, | FEET. 226 RO Mouth of the Mota to o Schenasiady, . Head of Little Falls, : ppeni ng of the long level of Utic Along that level to its end near Syracuse, tezuma at the Seneca river Begi Along that level to art! od and Lake Erie level, Along that level to Lake Eri 30 The whole length of the adi from ain to Lake Erie, is 363 miles. The junction of the Hudson and Mohawk is nine milés above Albany. That part'of the above section between Utica and Lake Erie, presents a remarkable uniformity of elevation, with only one inter- sees farts Yaithe ¥ ala to Lake Erie along the slope of the St. Lawrence basin, the gradual descent of which to the north is high ly favorable to the graduation of a line to’the most-uniform: eleva- tion. The following are the elevations of the principal Jakes in this state, included within the boundaries of the lower sub-basin of the: St. Lawrence : Above aie Ontario. Above tide water... 718 Canandaigua lake, 668 sake t Gen 216 447 lake, 1 8872 = Oneida lake, 144 _ 875. Cross lake, ; ‘ 139° a. eae Onondaga or Salt lak 130 361. The discharged water of all these reservoirs pass into Lake ‘ona, through the Oswego river. After the lower sub-basin of the st Lavell aa PRR. neat exten cinanctid ait a QR EW a: is . ot a petin eee This de- @ Te wee se +} ‘ rm . » Be TE tat se oe Pe £420 ‘REA AIS 4 106 © Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. pression is a long, deep and narrow vale, extending through the- country, in a direct line from the ocean near New-York, to the valley of the St. Lawrence river, a distance of 380 miles. That part north of the Highlands at West-Point, is formed by an open- ing between two of the Allegany ranges ; and is bounded on the one side by the Catskill ridges and the mountains on the north side of the Mohawk, and on the other by the range which we have described as forming the separating ridge between the Hudson and the Connecticut. There are only three lateral passes from this valley. The most important of these is the lower valley of the Mohawk, which may be considered as an arm of the Hudson _ and Chiioolaia valley, extending back as far as the Little Falls; and thus forming a pass from the Hudson, through the Appala- chian mountains, into the great St. Lawrence basin. The high- ‘est part of this pass, as we have before observed, is only 425 feet above tide water. The next pass is the valley through which the ‘Delaware and Hudson canal has been constructed. It extends from the Hudson, near the village of Kingston, to the Delaware river ; and is elevated in the highest part, 500 feet above the level of the Hudson. The other pass is also between the same rivers, and is through a spacious valley bounded by the Catskill ridge on the one side and the mountains forming the Highlands on the other. Boe sleration ps tbe umunit i is AAO Sens bbs’ eee i ha , oe uN ee ee Se and oda valley, is is its great ‘and uniform depth below the ; genet al level of the surface of the adjoining country. The highest part of the bottom of this valley, throughout its whole extent, is on the Dn ‘space between the Hudson and Lake Champlain, and is elevated only 147 feet above the level of tide in the river, and 54 feet above the surface of the lake. From this su | we learn that an obstruction in the channel of the E 7 oie at th entrance of the Highlands, near Newburgh, of only 150 feet in height, would turn the current of the river to the north, and cause its waters to descend to the gulf of St. Lawrence, through the out- Jet of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence river. The: appear- —— mountain pass at the Highlands, is highly favorable to suppos' Leen in nis fread ite wey z barrier, apr he gAlies aLmnOES direc pant Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 107 is but one pass on the earth having a specific resemblance to this. valley. Scotland is divided into two unequal sections, by what is well expressed by the term glen, signifying a deep vale between high artd steep hills. This glen extends from the Atlantic ocean to the German sea, a distance of 120 miles, and has no summit which follow the general direction of the glen, and both have been. rendered nayigable by means of canals and other jest im- provements. » Viewed as a whole, the Hudson and Champlain Bettite want te mere minutely described as consisting of two unequal the one containing Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the Cham. bly river ; the other, the Hudson river below Glen’s falls; Lake George is a narrow sheet of water, lying in an apparent rend in the adjacent mountains ; is thirty-four miles long, and from one to. three miles wide. It discharges its waters into Lake Champlain, through a descent of nearly 200 feet. Lake Champlain, which forms the most important part of the upper sub-basin, is 109 miles long, and from one-half mile to twelve miles wide : its depth nearly ) to that of Huron and Michigan ; while its surface is elevated only 93 feet above the level of tide water. penned mountain scenery, the traveller on this lake i himself raised to Alpine heights, and can scarcely be convinced that a descent of less than one hundred feet would depress him to the level of the ocean. Lake Champlain is connected with the river St. Lawrence by the Chambly river on the north, and with the Hudson river on the south, by the artificial communication of the Champlain canal. The intervening distance between the Hudson river and the lake is only 22 miles ; but the whole length of the canal, from its junction with the Erie canal, is GA miles, 39 of which is along the side of the river. The other division of the Hudson and Chempleauiian tae deep basin of the Hudson ; and this may again be deseribed as consisting of two subdivisions. The first of these includes the lower valley of the Mohawk, and the slopes of Jand on each side — from Glen’s falls to the entrance of the . near rgh. The sandy plain between A arid Schenee- tady, is an upper shelf of the lower valley of the Mohawk, ~~ tains, and is sew in traveling between these cites, stretching 108 Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. along the horizon in a northwesterly direction towards the Mo- hawk river. This plane has a mean elevation of 320 feet, and suddenly declines into the valiey of the Hudson by a precipitous step nearly parallel to the river. The capitol at Albany is built ou the very edge of this step; and the Mohawk, in passing over the same depression, forms the Cohoes or great fall of the river. A similar shelf exists on each side of the Hudson, from Albany down to the Highlands. The country rises abruptly from the river to upwards of two hundred feet, and then sweeps back- wards with a very gentle rise to the mountain chain. On this shelf are situated all the cities and villages along the river, with oe ee of — which is the only place on the ernener! era cub-basin of the Hudson, isa section of prreanton. sions state south of the Highlands, (except Long. Island,) as well as a part of New-Jersey. Its greatest width is from the southern sources of the Raritan river, to the eastern head of Croton river, in Putnam county, a distance of about 106 miles. No. XIII. Ta BLE of Ascents and Distances through the Hudson and Cham- _ plain seer f from the Ocean, at New-York, to the St. Lawrence oF EP secioi intl FEET. OUTE.,. New-York to st a of the Mohawk, Level at Stillw : ) 14 sexe! at F ort Mile, 1711 wo ; mit — Fort Edward, nearly : 8 Along that Cyt to Pe ne . 12/205] rises ake Champlain at Whi 1217)}falls | eha i, 12 \falls 64] Along the "ee esa its outlet near t the 45° of north lat. 110/327 jfalls, 33; 9¢ Down the C ly or Sorel river to its junction ) | ee Se dbidane!tia iaieeuets miles above the h matte water : “The, ‘Hudson aii which occupies so i . I : i lly, ent oe the on interes Fado popes, and the Mohawk. Mt ioe eee Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 109 ticular attention, as contributing to supply the waters of our north- ern and western canals. The Mohawk rises west of Oneida lake, flows south about twen- ty miles, and then suddenly turns to the southeast at Rome, where it falls‘on the bottom of ‘what has been called the upper valley of the Mohawk. At this place, in high floods, the waters of the riv- er divide ; one part passing down the channel to the Hudson, and the other through Wood creek into Oneida lake, and thence to Lake Ontario. From Rome to the foot of Little Falls, a distance of 37 miles, the river descends 97 feet. Here the river descends through a narrow pass to the lower valley of the Mohawk, and offers incontestible evidence of having forcibly broken its way through the primitive rocks: the ledges on each side bear strik- ing marks of the action of water at a height of more than 40 feet above the present level of the stream. ‘The whole fall of the river, from Rome to its mouth, as may be seen by table No. 5, is 425 feet, in a distance of 116 miles ; 78 feet of this descent is passed by the cataract of the Cohves, one mile above its panes pai the Hudson. The two most remote branches of the Bisdoncaainnss have their sources in the marshy regions of Hamilton and Essex counties. These united with each other, and the Sacandaga river, form a stream of considerable magnitude, which is first precipitated over a ledge of rocks called the Great falls, and afterwards down Glen’s falls into the deep valley of the Hudson and Champlain basin. The length of what may be called the upper Hudson, from its ex- treme source to this place, is about 120 miles; and from here to its junction with the Mohawk is 40 miles, with a fall of 147 feet. | The Hudson, after its reception of the Mohawk, from its pecu- liar character, has been defined by some geographers as a long narrow bay. The periodical rising of the tides’ to the height of two feet at Albany—the great volume of water, and the gentleness of the current, which, under ordinary circumstances, is reversed river, is an interesting phenomenon. It is not caused, as in the main ocean, by the direct action of the sun and moon, but is pro- duced by a vast wave, propelled by the force of the Atlantic 110 = Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. tide, along’ the slightly inclined plane of the bed of the river. The crest of this wave passes through the whole distance of 151 miles, between New-York and Troy, in from seven to nine hours. _.The comparative importance of the Hudson, as a great com- mercial inlet to the western territory of the union, may be inferred from the fact, that it is the only Atlantic river, with the exception of the St. Lawrence, that has not its navigation soon interrupted by a — descent from the mountain chain. At the High- lands son penetrates the primitive rock, and admits the ocean tide one hundred miles to the interior of the ridge, at whose foot, in every other Atlantic river, it is stopped.* Its tributary, the Mohawk, as we have seen, occupies the bottom of a depression - which deeply indents the remaining ridges of the Appalachian mountains, and:thus connects by an easy pass the valley of the thus done more by the vallies of the Hudson and the Mohawks and that to the south of Lake Michigan, towards uniting the wa- ters of the Atlantic with those of the Missisippi, than the utmost efforts of art can ever hope to scecuapiietes in any other part of the union. The importance of these peculiar topographical features, was duly appreciated, by the projectors of our canal policy, and the Erie and Champlain canal, with those in contemplation for unit- ing the former with the waters of the Susquehanna and Lake On- tario, fully develope the natural facilities for internal navigation possessed by this state. | - In a physical point of view, these works produce changes which it could scarcely have been believed that the power of man could. have accomplished. The waters of the Tioga river, which now entirely contribute to swell the volume of the Susquehanna, by the construction of the artificial channel of the Chemung canal, a am to Seneca lake, and thence with the dis- waters of this reservoir, to the gulf of St. Larne: On formerly; with the Atlantic ocean thn bay a omsTienkant ie Vite te nie Sen AE ; # §. eo fe te ii tain-cee CR Se police 50 bee ines Th mas os istieog:: ,A9RN t2ey a oe pesee Topographical Sketch of the State of New-York. 1 - NOTE. - For the accompanying plate of the comparative elevations of ihe principal mountain ridges and peaks in this state, we are in- debted to the politeness of Davin H. Burr, Esq. It forms a part of : a general map of the state, which together with an atlass containing a map and statistical table of each county in the state, has just been published by the above named gentleman. _ This work is an important acquisition to the topographi - knowledge of our state ; and as it is intimately connected with the subject of the preceding article, the following extracts from the author’s preface may not be improper in this place. ‘‘ The legis- lature of New-York, in 1827, upon the recommendation of Gov- ernor Clinton, passed an act directing that whenever a set of maps was compiled on this plan, and delivered to the surveyor-general and comptroller, they should revise and. correct the same; and that when they were satisfied with their accuracy, should publish them at the expense of the state. The legislature at the same and subsequent sessions, made liberal appropriations to defray the expenses, at the same time giving the author permission to make use of all documents deposited in any of the public offices of the state, or of the several towns and counties, which:he should deem necessary in the completion of the work.” ‘‘ During its progress, the surveyor-general addressed circu- lars to the supervisors of the several towns, ee furnish surveys of the same, that their boundaries * : rectly described in the revised statutes. The informs tained was furnished by the pa aS tat and has been used in the present work. When the author had render- ed the work as perfect as these authorities and his own persona observations enabled him to do, it was delivered to the surveyor- general and comptroller, for revision and correction, pursuant to the act before mentioned.” 112 Topographical Skeich of the State of New-York. ‘‘ Circulars were again addressed by the surveyor-general to the several supervisors, enclosing maps of their respective towns, and requesting them to point out the errors, if any, and also to suggest such additions as might be necessary to render the work more full and perfect. These circulars were in most instances returned with much useful information, which enabled the sur- veyor-general, with his previous knowledge, to correct such er- rors as had escaped the observation of the author. This work, therefore, comprises not alone the geographical knowledge of a single individual, but that of many, and those. the best informed by: their. vocations of any in the state.” se of Abin aoe “13 ie .XTh. An Anccastg (a Men che Aap on Woier for fifty Arse: die fe. aide ap beste M. D. Professor of - ( the University.of the State of Smad sais 7, 1830. 0 f the following narrative lived in the town of i, Herkimer county, in this state. His father is a re- ectab! 2: to whom, and to his wife and mes aed a am debted for the particulars I am about to relate. Reuben Kelsey, the individual referred to, was, until three y ‘ago, considered a young man of great promise—remarkable for the correctness of his conduct, and his diligence in the prosecution of his studies. After having received the ordinary advantages at the academy at Fairfield, he entered on the study of medicine, and _ read in the office of Dr. Johnson, In the year 1825 he attended ‘the lectures at the College « Oz Ep pre oe and Surgeons of ‘the —— District. aig studies. His health omed Dott ahd there was i sis very pe- culiar in the operations of his mind. But in the course of the summer, eet the close of the session of the college, his health — n to de and his mind seemed to have plan eon a chan, His spirits, which were never very buoyant, b » more sedate * __and his thoughts seemed habitually to dwell on the subject of're re- ligion. He quitted Dr. Johnson’s office and went home. From that time until his death, he never left his father’s house, even for | a day. For the three years immediately preceding his almost constantly kept his room, apparently pee in mn ned edita- tion. His only companion was his bible. He read nothit a and fis whole thoughts | seemed to be fixed upon a other world, _ He shunned society, even that of the pious ; but he seemed ap = ig of hopes. To his family he was k d and attached ; oe the exception of the deep sa of this devotional : seling Zs, ofh his intellect ba ally disturbed. a ring ek toce cece aug Us Goce boul, de iod, we oo ee oy ye me tee = ‘ 5 rs i a ee 5 Nt ee 2 : “4 ag Sa > % te . perienced during his seclusion was an attack of cealide Pe _ ing were done, advised his friends to insist on his ta 114 Case of Abstinence, came fo the table at every meal, when called—and: Be ers r ficient in appetite. The only sickness of any conseq the summer of 1828, from which he soon recovered, and seemed oe to enjoy his wonted health, until the latter end of May, 1829, At — - this time, his friends began to notice that his appetite was 8 failing. - : It continued to decline more and more, until about the beginning of a July, when it seemed entirely to have disappeared. For some — weeks he had eaten very little; but on the 2d of July, he declined eating altogether—assigning | as areason, that when it w was the ou _ of the os oe ms: should eat, he would be furnis coe At is ne Sah oe " ne stk a re oN tae hae eA Ty SY TT a oe “a ee pee ‘correct as has been stated in the n aWwSp ~ pers. th efrained from eating, in consequence of a vision, warning him | a to ie so, nor that he commenced his fast, in imitation ate our > fave e | jour in the wilderness. It does not appear that he had set any def- = inite time for his fast, nor very distinctly assigned his motive for ‘ : fasting at all, Indeed, it is more than probable, that the great oe motive in the first instance, was, that he felt no inclination to eat, and that after all desire for food had left him, he became convinced | that there was more merit in abstinence than in eating. Towards — Se the ene ofhis es 2 told his sister that t he had note: xperic he we on he went sacra te thie well, in the morniig: ey easel hits head and face, and took a bowlful of water with him into the house. With this he used oceasionally to wash. his mouth—he. al Ve ASS ik Cah Bd tte ERE ad hg ae ae ER SS EE. Sy Sd ny en Th et ae ee The of fetta, fearing that death would wa i ot : it Ce ee caterers if necessary, to make use of compulsory measures, 10 i | ce him = Case of Abstinence. 115 : bly more than he could persist in, as on the 4th morning he was observed to g° to the well, — to drink copiously = ited On the 11 V1¢4 Peay ke 8 Le ee Pee ay lea) MD tii Uidy tU LUIS CAVUSLUIGLIUNS U1 IMS friends, - he had nit: felt ws well, nor so strong, in two years, as at that moment, and consequently denied the necessity of taking S “food. “For the first six weeks he walked out every day, and some- = ‘spent a great part of the day in the woods. His walk was aes a “f stony tod. | firm, and his friends even remarked that his step had an — o9 fail tanch a eae disias ; enieied The artery had contracted to ac- ae yal elasticity. He shaved himself until about a week before his death, and was able to sit up in bed to the last day. His mental faculties did not seem to become impaired as his _ general strength declined; but on the contrary, his mind was calm and collected to the end. His voice, as might have been expect- ed, towards the last, became feeble and low, but continued, nev- ertheless, distinct. Towards the close of his life, he did not go into the fields, n nor or daring, the last week even to the well; but still, n. During the first three weeks of lie icitisininey: ie fell away very fast, but-afterwards he sect ee ot seem Pedestals: pean was eer and 1 ar were Shere at 633 sight of him. Ore this fe aerial him- self to be aware; for it was not uncommon to observe him covering bie ieve when strangers were passing by. | - Willoughby visited him a few days before he: x | He found his skin very cold, the respiration feeble and slow, but _ otherwise natural ; but the effluvia from the breath, and sit Bt the skin, were extremely offensive. During the greater part of the latter weeks of his life, the parents say, that there was a consid- : _— disch: -_ of a foul, Jeddish orate: from the lungs. _ tide 3 The | sale was regular, | but slow, and ieee; and» << $ greater harane may be attributed partly to this con- ion, ai a y to > the absorption of some of its elements, and nost tot: te ‘Suspension of nutrition. acu s were rare, ‘Ris soler ihinks he psc 116 Case of Abstinence. several weeks without.any—but the secretion. of urine: — more regular. The voiding of this secretion was one of aden acts of his life. After a lapse of fifty-three days, or nearly eight es, nafane became exhausted, and his spirit fled. His hopes continued bright to the last, and he departed this life in the full expectation of a glorious immortality. And it is not unreasonable to suppose, from his unblemished life, and ardent piety, while in the possession of his faculties, however erroneous some of his later opinions may be considered, that, in his last hope, he beanel Seem diceppoin'et. The body_w was saaminet by Dr, Johnson, the day ath. The very striking m pee thin and feuspetent—and there was no fat in the omen- tum. It looked somewhat like the arachnoid membrane of the brain. At the time of death Mr. Kelsey was 27 years of age. ‘Such are the principal facts I have been able to gather respect- ing the case of this excellent young man. I may however observe, in i conelusion,, shat, from a consideration of all ee faa ‘cal — reopen has beets attempted, sither ve the aude tunate in- setridual peaked or Py any one copnasieg. with him. ; er A ver) 7 estion pron gs answer this aneation ina antiaieias in n it rd t is sty ape nt wr sn ey ae _ least to the higher animals ; but this opinion is incorrect. _ is an ingredient in almost every one of the: anima tissu big je MERE AS NCEA LT ahs gt = ie * rhe a Pe ee oe hee ee Se ee eee ne ee Ce eRe Bg ey ee ae Pe ee ey oo os pee ee rtean oF a at ery ial Per aN aie: BEAR ; ‘ “ RIGA ey Vid 3o- eather ine aie ' eA A ° 5 os eetihs 2) ; SST EPO gh ee ke! OC) UR eet es Soa aR Oe Coe OT RRR ele eee hdd Gi oe A ef de Be eg oe pian eT RR Fi on eho cree: that ‘a lig are not so much wor pair. In such cases, water and air, £ . with w aboot from. the. sy: tem itself, may | be sufficient to preserve: life eee "been secreted oe the Min the fgukorhents, and carried into the venous system to be agai in all probability, used for the nutrition of some p larorgans for which, from their nature, they may be well adaitea Frais true not only in respect to lymph, serum, mucus, saliva, &c. which are considered recrementitious, but also in respect to the urine, and the alimentary mass, after the separation of the chyle. — 2° The urine, if long retained in the bladder, becomes darker init = 1 a knov Siiaxsonnets. 3 were we eee . system a time, be sustained by its own finan eg is, , that. some > of its less. essential constituents may be absorbed and used oat P _ of organs com in the nobler c-anotionas Se weal siclarees ee ‘ some ie Seek pice oom manner ime serve: so several tissues before it becomes utterly effe a. m5 to be expelled from the system. It is also in ome extraordinary states of the system, such. aie p ee asi gah AE egy : wee Se pt Pt oa Ra ane e E sep EAS %y * Btw Nuh 3 3 ae OES | hs ay i, ae AS eae : Pea alc I Rak oe the 3 ay Pepi a een ee eke ee a ea Te Cee Leese sy le Be eh Ne Tee a Smee Sims 2! es eee ee ee ey he 2 ee ee ee Be ee eae eee Pe ee ee ase OO Oe SF OP Eye ae 4 » eae G ill . = = = — = ate of Abstinence. are made use of. Fat is one of the ant essential several se es situ iE one until the exigencies of the system: require it to re the waste of parts, in which decomposition is going on fable than the supplies from without can be elaborated to preserve the due balance between the actions of nutrition and decomposition. We find in accordance with these views, that the secretion of fat ceases whenever the muscular . or vascular systems are much excited. We all know that a hard workin g ; man i is. oe ever fat, even when well, fed—we also. know hoy : ready > eect and fevers. Fa is there- mrasg nMibd> ie eccaat Ss 5 eon up ever 3 anim are ch aac. it ig alee oon ven whi as ve as at muscular systems are but > exerted if the supply of food be too scanty. Man and beast — z saa ror | lean on spare diet, no matter how little they may be _ exercised. Granting that fat may be absorbed and converted in- ee.F ete’ ARE ee = . to nourishment, it will be asked, whether even with its aid, life S - could have been so long protracted as in the above case without aS a any. other a assistance than what water and air afford. es at es , Sa ice could live on water one ‘But it will be objected. that in, Beer ASC, ee ae the caloric extricated by the generation of carbonic acid in the lungs, there is more or less, doubtless, evolved in the. ict new combinations formed in the act of nutrition. When life be- comes feeble, and the system is no longer capable of furnishing — coe matter fit for generating carbonic acid in sufficient pee or for des esa | posed 7 body eons animal feat oe dimini es BS of 1 the oe were 5 abourker Tarrio’ into ithe ’¢ venous ee and thence into the lungs—in the lungs the superfluous carbon of the. fats &c. was discharged, and carbonic acid Spgs & the f: n of carbonic onic acid, heat \ was bit’ and the venous ui: fe lood “Giaverted inté arterial: - ‘Phe x thus renovated, con- _ veyed nutrition and heat to all ‘irks : the body ; life was sive long time supported, in a great measure, at the expense of the Sys-_ em itself ; and in proportion ¢ as —_— _ ot nutrition became —— all the functions | ecame The case was very analogous te y tides of “hyb SIT ‘These, when merely torpid duving: the winter, and possessing s animal heat, are observed to be much leaner in the spring than at los: of — wnee wae first become tc ar "Cike oF Abatseie, : es ee: ah : heals ‘and also for the nutrition ‘of et more impor- it or vans ‘worn out even uy this feeble life. In many other. hy- nating animals, a all tl suspended—even life itself ae Se heacn up. _ These, of, course, undergo no change. This every | body knows happens to insects, It is also well known that many kinds of fish may be frozen, and that upon being cautiously thawed, . tet. $00, as it were, into life eats when the vital ee is re- neous and ary exhalations, a are almost the | ~ discharged in respiration does not much exceed half a pound in aS twenty-four hours, even in a state of vigorous health ; and ina fee- ble eqgcition of me. Sansa feu beees falls much short, - that ou Fosse oer asics tase —-yont ‘air and water. There are many remarkable cases on record in which life has been protracted much longer than in the case of SS STE ae aad Le tay fe fae ; i ¥ bs eee - £ ee SY gts ig She a ate ea Seals Nah hae etl Se ae tir ey cu tanec only sources of waste to be accounted for. The quan uantity of carbon. ‘that tthe on Jost n no more tex six or 7 eight ounces of its WEE ina day. eats even ae we silgw be it Rigs a ae over: mg = = ate ean: resources, without any foreign -dikient: eae _ Mr, Kelsey without any nourishment ; but in all these,sofarasI Tec ae life was ; much more feeble than in him. . apne : Hf Seca 2 i ner, ety Pe 2 2 a Bee af ee ‘ b ee tes t . % vig Pa ale Ur aes en ie 6 ese Ne a ee ee ee ee ee ae ee oO” ae a) a ty See ROY. eh i ‘ee ». i ihe Hh hae % east ee . PG RS Ny OR NS ES Re PT eg r% F Moneshaph of the Cones gee. North America. “ : = XU. Monge oft pe Dadian ae North America, a ding three new —By Jacon geengios Bs ed of . slag its name from thie, conical shape of the It may be considered a natural associa- : = similarity in form renders it scarcely possible for the merest tyro ever to mistake them. It appears to have been first established by = Linné, and it still remains precisely as he left it, notwithstanding a ihe numerous changes which the science of conchology has suf- fered, Many: of the shells of this genus are extremely beautiful, from the di rsity and richness of their markings. They are the diamonds or gems sof concholgy, 8 = therefore the rarer species are among the n ; y * as : ‘Strong 1 of ligh | ness and variety of colour in the animal kingdom, we are not to expect, : and a hee tamed not found, any beautiful species of the : ts. of America. oe on and rolled over each other ; - the lower part or base ae ee bad in an sents fe the upper part or spire being expanded. . The is therefore entirely visible, and the other | itis : mii concave, ‘The upper shai of the wheels cape | om ated: the aperture ees server her 2 r art ter ; . in and strie, and — oe Monograph of the Cones of North America sometimes it is entirely smooth. All of them, i in thieving — are covered with an epidermis or periostracha. But few accurate observations appear to have been rand ikteo animal which inhabits the cone. I am informed by a friend, that in the bay of Bengal it is frequently taken with a bait— a piece of flesh is attached to a long line and sunk to the bottom ; upon as up the line ss tie cones will be found re Lap dion oe eae opmiisie As this genus includes a a . vast ‘ vaniety, of species, many subdivi- illwyn makes four sub bdivisions + ‘Ast. C Chew a spire trun 1 cated ; 2d. Pyriform cones, rounded at the base; 3d. Elongited age the gd whorl being as long <9 as the apie > and 4th. s =pire acute 5 its whorls cor on eng marked with « ‘eane noellate 8 of # : i fore meh See _ Monograph of the Cones of North America. 123 not the case, in our shell, or in either of the figures to which he refers. See ogee t. 784, fig. 31, and Enc. Meth. t. 320, fig. 9. Conus Leucosticus. Gmelin. Plate 3, fig. 4. en marbled with brown or yellow ; spire ——_— body whorl marked with transverse granu- i@, especially near the base 5; —. about an inch and 1 half as broad. Many: varieties of this beautiful species ca the West-Indies, pr it is said, other parts of the world. ‘Those found on the Florida Keys are commonly about an inch long ; but in other pla- ces they often reach twice that size. Some of the varieties of the C. Leucosticus resemble very much the far famed C. cedo-nulli, a specimen of which, now in the museum at Paris, has been valu- ed at 1500 dollars. = _ Conus Pealii. New species. Plate 3. fig. 3. SI peal i =. 3 whitish, Se ae with light yellow irregular these markings tees ae, This ae ety little cone was found by Mr. Titian R, te near a Moreh on the Florida coast. While exploring the extensive and in ~ sting shoals in Bon eet Soom sah Homes 3 and acute ered of the g , all “of Fak appear to Have been undescribed ; but from cheat worn and mutilated state, it would be injudicious to introduce them at The : spire is al- orange coloured — Sot ris i something a te Conus Pere 3 of the Cones of North America, Fig. 5. Plate 3. Represents a front view of the spire. Fig: 6. Plate3. Is an outline of the whole shell. Conus Marylandicus. New species. Plate 8, fig. 2. Ay Shell conical, pyriform, with 8 or 10 deep grooves at the ba “¢ In Some specimens, upon very close examination, impressed nee, verse lines may be discovered on the upper half of the body whorl; spire elevated and acute ; the whorls channeled and carinated on their lower edges : lenctl an inch and a half, and half as broad. For this fine fossil species I am indebted to John Finch, Esq. who found it in Maryland, during his laboriou ous and peregrenng Te re- searches into the. rich and extensive locality of fossil shells in oO = cat sae hit Snipa 5; spire slevated ae ra- I ther acute ; whorls slightly grooved and concave ; base of the col- — and less umela slightly twisted inwards: length —_ » and than half as broad. Sop Sete S,. I am indebted to the politeness of Mr. T. A. Cana for this shell, pene whorl: at first si eon Sect it, together with Pee other new specie o of fossil re St. Mary’s, i | ) me * ¢ ee a % i * Sin Sate par ae i SE . Pa. 9 a i x ae eS Wee ee a ee Ree eS < sis ced A t on Ser at ide : i 8 hak Hehe Bea Oh A ‘impressed lines say bee seen te" aperne* re, cS iv nice: semblance to the Marylandicus, but differs from that shell inthe i spur 2 not dit Ne permaiod 3 ; in Bo tes poe Femme be = ole De AG Nek eRe Be Sea Ys wee ee ee ee may ie) ren) Lal Mon Tae o Vy 38 } ¢ OS CARO Nee te ‘ Ee SE an ERASE = Ste Sone babi ee nee ates Aerie, ta ae Sd pee es tcl Pe nase (oS Fra) ott + Ses ire AEN ory set , rt San ae SE oO OS SO See ee eee Sh hg ees 3 wae Monograph of the Cones of North America. 125 North American seas : this isno doubta mistake. Lamarck seems to imply that the conus daucus, conus nivosus, and some others, may also be found on our coast; but as we have no personal knowledge of these facts, we shall not insert them in this mono- graph. Mr. J. Finch has in his possession the cast of a cone which he discovered along the Chesapeake and Delaware canal, but this does not furnish characters sufficiently distinct to make out a satisfactory description. sting : aS. ' 5 a ‘ ~7t@ate¥ s ota an a ip a MP ge Arpt acm agent ee, enh a eee ate ieee ete tte | Peete ae sh f a Coal Formations in the State of New-York. XIV - Observations on-the Coat Formations in the State = = . pie. York ; in connexion with the great Coal Beds of Penn- i ee By Amos Eaton, Corresponding Member. _ Read March 11, 1830. “There are four distinct coal formations in the United States. First—The genuine anthracite or glance coal found in the transi- tion argillite ; as at Worcester, (Mass.) Newport, (R. I.) also in ‘small quantities in the north and south ; rei of a the bed and banks of the river Hudson, Second—Coal destitu Aitnmen, usually. called anthracite ; but iseur ready in ‘ ter from — anthracite found in argillite. It oy bec gal. This i is embraced ina ‘slate rock, being lower Y sd series of rocks. This coal forma- on is equivalent to’ ‘coal measures of Europe. But ‘there ‘is Pavey ty in a greater or less proportion, though : the proportion is often exceedingly small. The principal Ameticap Jocalities of this coal hitherto discovered,:are in the state Pennsylvania ; as at Carbondale, Lehigh, Lackawaxen, Wilkes- barre, &c, Third—The proper bituminous coal; as at Tioga, Lycoming, &c. This coal is embraced in a slate rock, which is | Shee loweet of the serien. ot ae eet BO rocks. ‘The fourth for- mation has not been found a the of New-York. “I refer to - the lignite nite coal, which is fe stratum in the - state of New-Jersey along the south shore “of the bay of Amboy. ‘The argillite that contains the anthracite com is Ree nd of ‘may be inapected fou Gannda to o Orange county i ‘New-York. The beds of anthracite are always interposed be- tween these inclined tables ; consequently when anthracite is present in this rock it may be seen at its upper surface. Such is _ the situation of the beds of anthracite 1 in Worcester and Newport. As all the beds of this mineral in the argillite of the state of New- York are exceedingly thin (none of those hitherto discovered ex- = ceeding one inch in : thickness) we have n no good 1 reason to hope for the discovery of extensive be as 3 , bituminons coal of the third al _esnaie’ = state re New Sank is equally doubtful, for he following reasons. Mr. C. Van Rensselaer and myself have ae hi 1 embraces the bituminous coal of Tio- a a : a a a ae Oh iy Pe eee a ~ Coal Formations in the State of New- co ga to Seneca and Cayuga lakes, also down those lakes to their outlets. I have traced the same to Lake Erie and. continued — state of f New-York do not Fexcned two inches This” Glades: ous rock may be inspected to its very base, and noah ing upon a stratum of limestone, which the English call upper — carboniferous limestone, for the distance of at least Wo undred | miles ; reckoning both banks of Cayuga and Seneca and the south bank of Erie. The layers of this rock are always horizon- tal or nearly so, and the great beds of Pennsylvania as well as. the thin beds of the state of New-York are interposed between these horizontal layers. Consequently if — thick beds: of coal were re ee the shores of these lee ys would present Gierti- ” — ™ — - to coal. And the two hun- dred miles of profile view presented by the almost perpendicular banks of these three lakes, afford evidence of the quantity of coal mbraced in this Semaian: equal to a line of pte or —— ficial excavations of the same extent to the ” fror one hundred feet. Deeper borings or other excavations soa be of no use; because we now een the carboniferous slate rock to its, bases<<;<~«, From the prcaling statment of fice it appears that all our coal beds In the state of New-" ork ited to the second coal formation in. which the coal beds of Pennsylvania destitute of bitumen are embraced. It was stated i ina preceding part of ths: ee gi — of Ca ‘bate tum of the lower secondary series of rocks. Althou ho re trace this rock from t the poi ome coal beds ~oml the of Utica to Big Salmon river on Lake Ontario, and ob- itp A aden ‘under the rock which contains all the salt springs of the west sm the ‘importance of this part ot wy Bs Coat Formations in the State of New-York, 7 ject ect deman nds s a more detailed description. ~fhadime foolbwehi extends alon along the foot of the Catskill mountains is the lower car- e oo lime rock of European geologists. It underlays the slate : ~~ yock which embraees the Pennsylvania coal beds last mentioned. ~ It supports the same slate rock from the south part of Pennsylva- nia to Sackett’s Harbour on Lake Ontario. It forms a kind of . thie arch around the southern extremities of two primitive spurs ‘from -M’Combs mountains ; one called Root’s Nose and the o er + Little Falls Hill. With these two exceptions it forms a pretty a See es curve e from near Harrisburgh in Pennsylvania to Sackett’s ye Throughout its whole extent the same lvania c shale, le, because i it i is always — This is the slate rock which. = = : embraces all the — eral measures of Europe. If = denom-- inated this rock second graywacke slate. This slate rock may be seen passing laterally under a wie erate rock, called millstone grit or rubble stone, from near Little Falls to Lake Ontario; a distance of eighty miles. The con- ee rock underlays the saliferous rock which forms the : of all the salt springs of the state. ia) ie lier “Seebt Proald bo to overturn. every principle of the science found- ed on analogy. | Be pow. remains to sees a summary view of the ous nees for | Fi : sag same F derssty of coal ak is found at Carbondale, Gal other coal beds in that range, is found in the same continuous rock along the foot of the Catskill mountains, and in numerous other localities ; but. the beds are e subject to the same > diminution | formation — = ‘along the banks of Os Westies aie ‘so far this formation pre- sents: the same forbidding features. Larned must be observed that : liar characters, such = ira wt te Nag ‘Thi _—— s the roof of most of the CRIES py me Poy eae ee a ot ow, ee ay SiS bag th ee EE. SGA 24 Pe carne er eae ~ Here too > the salt springs commence, = Coal Formations in the State of New-York. 129 sures of Europe, where it is the floor of the salt mines and springs, Conglomerate rocks, such as that which underlays the saliferous rock in this state, generally accompany the slate rock which em- braces the coal. One of the strongest indications of the presence of coal beneath the seliferous rock, remains to be mentioned. It is the production of ¢ etted hydrogen gas, which issues from beneath the salif- erous rock in various parts of that district. The most easterly point where this gas has been observed, is near the most easterly salt spring which issues from this rock. The spring is near Ver- non centre, and the place whence the gas issues, is one mile west of Vernon village. The same gas issues from beneath the same rock, at a place called Gasport, six miles east of Loekport, in the bed of the canal, also near the village of Canandaigua, and near Cayuga lake. Several other places have been: mentioned, : but these have been carefully examined and minutely described. The production of a similar gas is considered by all geologists as re- ferable to no other origin but that neeoeinibicnns If'we are to rea- son n from ae BS we do he tified p , that i say be added, that if coal should be found Beneat ifero rock, it would probably be of the bituminous kind, notwi the same slate rock embraces coal destitute of bitumen in the state of Pennsylvania ; for the European slate rock, which i is omer lent to this, always contains bituminous coal, when similarly sit ated. It may be proper to add a few remarks upon the rabble depth to which borings must be extended, if search is to be made for coal by that method. The only data from which we can deduce proba- ble conclusions, are, the thicknesses of the strata, to = perfo- be commenced on the upper surface of the us ‘rock, the thickness of that rock, of the millstone grit, and of the carbonifer- ous slate, would be the measure of the a — the perfora- tions must extend. The thieknesse their ting edges, between Little Falls and Lake Ontario, are as follov The thickness of the saliferous r bout 95 feet—that of the millstone grit about forty feet—that of the catboniferous slate about 150 feet—making i in the whole 285 feet. But the's sa- liferous rock inéreases in thickness throughout its whole exten 17 130 Coal Formations in the State of New-York. from its bassetting edge near Little Falls to the Niagara river. The surface of this rock at Gasport is 274 feet higher than the sur- face of the waters of Lake Ontario. Here it disappears beneath the waters of that lake ; and from a consideration of its uniform dip, as far as it can be observed, its under surface must be at the depth of at least 100 feet below the surface of the lake. Then al- lowing 40 feet for the thickness of the millstone grit, the upper surface of the carboniferous slate will be 414 feet lower than the surface of the saliferous rock at Gasport. If we add 150 feet for the thickness of the carboniferous slate rock, the depth of the bor- ing will be 564 feet. It may be stated. in round numbers, that a satisfactory Snes to be made by boring, will require that these rocks be perforated to the depth of 600 feet. By the same = mode of calculation, it appears, that if a similar examination be mando at the ea asternmost locality of native carburetted hydrogen gas, which is near Vernon village, the perforation must extend to the depth of about 250 feet. All the intermediate perforations will require to be in proportion to their distances from these two ex- tremes, which are about 200 miles distant from each other. In Europe, shafts are frequently sunk to the depth of from 400 to 600 feet for raising coal from a formation equivalent to this. sapere is one mantra’ of native carburetted bydtogen gas, which. conte : of Chau seaitanye; Siew. thier gas issues from the upper 6 sur- face of the slate rock, which embraces the bituminous coal of Tio- ga; being the third coal formation. It is about 80 feet higher than the: a raEnee aah of Lake Erie; or 140 feet higher than the ili rock at G __ If the bituminous coal beds of Tioga extend 19 this Si in Sostudorable thickness, the gas may issue , Such beds might be perforated by boring to about By feet. But if the gas issues from the carboniferous slate be- neath the saliferous rock, the borings must extend to the depth of ' at Semttoage feet. % fco that these conclusions amount to nothing more ‘than le hypothesis. I consider the risk of loss too great tobe - hazarded by any one individual, at and that it is a proper subject for legislative e aid. And it may be stated, that if coal is not found be- ae Se The Dolia of the United States. 131 Arr. XV. The Douta of the United States, By J. Gaeen, M.D. ee of Chemistry in + aT edical ee —— a, Corresponding Member. “eo i icsecs ~ Read June 7, 1830. ue. oy ine ensiagy existing between the very himited enianel acne which form: the genus Delium, seems first to have been noticed by M. Dargenville. He accordingly classed them to- gether—the Buccinum Dolium of Linné being its type.— La Marck, in his arrangement, preserved this genus, All the’s included in it, except perhaps the D. Pomum, which seems more nearly allied to the genus Cassis, forma natural group. ‘They are all ventricose, inflated, and subglobular, The spire is usually somewhat depressed, and the substance of the shell is uncommon- LA thin ans brittle. = of them yet known are covered with large ribs ¢ exterior surface, — the interior to be ardored or furrowed. The: right margin of the aperture is denta- ted or oes along its whole teaytlrs ; sere the - flected, ar sen Soe tre TIN: ss Si — Some of thé attain a very large size, a8 the D. Galles, idee been found more than ten inches in diameter, the characteristic thin- ness of the shell still remaining. The animal is said to have an operculum, and to produce a beautiful colouring — gectoe ina little reservoir contained in its neck. La Marck describes but seven species. Our late famed friend, the Rev. D. H. Barnes, of New-York, has figured an Sth, which he calls D. Dentatum ; it is a fine large species ; but Mr. _ Swainson, of London, seems “first t to have notre? it hcommesan name of D, Ringens. We sl ih pecies br “from the Pacific, and said also to be found on our ' vestel era aia ‘The Dolium in English is sometimes called the Tun. Dolium Zonatum. New Species. Paet.. 7 ie ies © Shell ovate, thin ; inflated with about twenty flattened ribs, not uite as broad as the intervals between them 3. in these intervals oo one or more ¢levate d lines, often increasing in number as ipproach the spire, where the ‘Jongitudinal strize give them a nulated ‘Bppearance 5 lene eae chestnut brown or yel- Pe, g , except some whitis pS eee 132 The Dolia of the United States, lines formed by the strie of growth; these are numerous near the aperture ; aperture semicircular ; outer lip thin, and crenulate, with a strong callous ridge along its inferior edge, like the D. Fasciatum ; pillar slightly umbilicate : length about five inches, breadth three and a halfinches. This shell was brought from the Pacific by the Rev. C. 5. Stew- art, chaplain in the U. S. navy, and late missionary to the Sand- wich islands. I am indebted to his kindness and research for ma- ny new and interesting objects of natural history. The fine spect- men from which our drawing was made, is in the cabinetof my friend, P. H. Nicklin, Esq. = Dolium Perdix. Lun. She ovate, thin, inflated, with about twenty flat caer dave, broader than the interstices between them ; colour greyish, or yel- lowish brown, marbled or irregularly spotted with white ; aperture large and somewhat semicircular ; outer lip thin, cmitaalete. and thickened near its edge ; pillar umbilicate: length 4 or 5 inches, and about three-fourths as broad. This species is not uncommon on the Florida Keys ; it thes I think, never been found north of the Chesapeake bay; but asa small variety inhabits the coasts of Great Britain, it is probable Pee 1 *Il. diseaver it on our northern shores. L n Mr. Nicklin’s cabinet there is a small specimen of this species, as thick and ponderous as the D, Pomum. Dolium Plumatum. New species, | ‘Shell ovate, thin, brittle, inflated, with about seventeen broad flat ribs ; those near the spire are almost obliterated ; spire deep- ly grooved at the sutures ; colour pale brown, with transverse beatate, white spots, haviee somewhat the appearance of a feath- ’ er; outer lip thin, without any thickening of the shell near its edge ; the inner surface of which is marked with a dark brown band ; pillar slightly umbilicate : engt about five inches, breadth three and three-fourths. I have but little doubt that this shell is qeeenlo- sui of Solander ; figured by Seba, soc ae 63, fig. 18. I have npared our shell with that figure, and have been surprised that lwyn should consider it only a variety of Perdix. The deep ving pes ners of Oe spire and the absence of the callous, ickene ridge dena Sn e inner surface of the lip, sufficiently Nas iS Lg Oe ae Me ta The Dolia of the United States. 133 distinguish the two species. As Solander’s specific name of Maculosum is almost identical with Maculatum—already employ- ed to designate a Dolium—we have chosen to revive Solander’s species, supposing ours to be such, under the name of Dolium Plumatum. ‘The habitat of this shell I am unacquainted with ; the-speeiainn from which my description is made, was obligingly lent to me for that purpose, by P. H. Nicklin, Esq. I have a perforated speci- men from one of the South Sea Islands, which was once an orna- ment of an Indian chief, me Dolium Olearium. Lan. for Shell roundish, rather thin, with about twenty transverse ribs, having an elevated line in the interstices of those nearest the spire ; spire rather flat, and grooved at the sutures ; outer lip crenulate, with a very strong callous ridge on its inferior edge ; pillar um- bilicate ; colour light fawn or Aocan ie length about three inch- es, and more than two as Mr. T. R. Peale brought a a number of these shells from Florida a tires : SO # 3 a i S ee si re Ne he Nie ee. ‘ a, ner de weg th, ici oP Sc res seen’ stig aie iw os 134 Notes on American Shelis. Art. XVI. Notes on the AMERICAN SHELLS, figured in the Sup- plement to the Index Testaceologicus. By Jaco Green, M.D. _ Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, Corresponding Member. | Read June 7, 1830. ‘The object of the present communication is to correct some of the inaccuracies which occur in the Supplement to the Index Tes- taceologicus of W. Wood, Esquire, lately published i in London. On three or four of the plates which adorn this beautiful work, we have a number of American shells accurately delineated, but on re-_ ferring to the accompanying catalogue, for their names, these will ‘be found i in almost every instance, to be incorrect or misapplied. a ante e has a = eae ~ Plate ‘Ast. In this plats, under the head Mya, we have figured 12 bivalves, all said to be inhabitants of the United States. Fig. 1. Is called Unio Rotunda—it is, we think, the U, Cireu- lus of Mr. Lea. This shell we saw labelled with the name, U. Rotunda some years since in the cabinet of the British Mu- seum. Mr. Lea’s name, U. Circulus, must therefore be aban- Fig. 2. Is called Unio Oblongata. We never saw or heard Fig. 3. Unio Alatus—A bad SRE nS 4. Unio Nasutus.—Very goo Fig. 5. This is called Unio ae mee oanls a Pm, Nhe U. Undulatus of Barnes—Mr. Lea, in his paper on = American Unios, says that this shell should be called the U. Pli- ‘eatus of Le Sueur. Waving the objection that Le Sueur nev- er described a shell, we repeat* that La Marck’s name U, Pe- ruvianus, has the priority, and therefore must be applied to it. Fig. 6. This is called Unio Gravis in one place, and U. Cartons in another ; the last name is probably right. Pe. a Is called Unio Rugulosa. It cannot be the U. Taisen of Barnes, which Mr. Lea, sat ee noticed as a variety Prien aay Ss nc ana Nott# on Astericitt: Shells. 135 Fig. 9. Is called Castalia Ambigua. No species of Castalia has” ' been discovered in the United States—the only one seen by La Marck was the C. Ambigua in the cabinet of the Marquis De Drée,. ON cE OAR however should no doubt — to that of Unio, | Fig. 10, Is caled Unio Rigid, We are wholly megs "species. | Pi. 11, Is. the Unio Preelongus of Barnes. La Marck’s name, U. Rectus, has the priority. Pe: 12. Is called Hyria Angulata. This shell is nie we think, a native of the United States. The figure looks something like one of the varieties of the U. Peruvianus, Plate Ath. Fig. 26. This shell is called Strombus Noveboracensis, and is said to be found in the harbor of New-York. It was new to us —perhaps it is intended for the a Obsoleta of Mr, Bact Be il. This i is righty cated Hel Tridentata—we - r isa seen it = coeay o ee vada aie = + Swick po: oo <3 nese x zs . ; : Fig. 12. This is named Helix aie It is the Planorbis Bi- carinatus of Say. ) Fig. 13. This is named Paludina Subcarinatus. 0 is the Pal. Dissimilis of Say. > Be Fig. 14. This is called, as we are olad to find, Helix Saialtnt and not by the ill devised and unnecessary generic name, Poly- gyra, proposed by Mir. Say. | Fi ig. 15. This is named Helix Monodon. It is the H. Fraterna of Say—whether this last name has priority we cannot sRowk “mine, as Mr. Wood does not refer to his author. sais os Fig. 16. This is named Hohe Fraterna, It is the | suti of s elix — nein it _ the reside bearing: 4 i ee ee eg oe | 1. £. ‘ 1. but for f oreign ‘nations. ‘The march’ of population is alike driving Eero of the country before it, and it can- not be le nj eed and he will be extirpated. They will then Oe oe oe ac Rig oe al. 2 CALCAL SUSAN ALSLULU VL which every th sia Uai ly history of America is one day destined to obtain. quadrupeds, what can be more curious, than the accounts given by htc icethees-cesmanned gga tabled Pope, in his Essay on Man, has de d the elephant by the epithet of * half-rea- soning,” but how yfar do the most striking traits related of him below those recorded of the American animal, The admira- ble plaii of union, the ingenuity evinced in felling trees, the skill displayed i in building—the solidity of the dwelling, and the fore- sight in the collection of magazines of food, all designate great Sagacity, and an instinct which should have, in some degree, pro- tected it from the destroying hands of the hunter. - The brief notice which I have now given might be extended through the other divisions of Zoology, but I will not venture on this, at the present time. Many points connected with the sub ject have been ably and amply illustrated in an introductory dis- course, before the Literary and Philosophical Society of New- York; and at the same time, additional subjects, deserving of es ete Lema ————— —_ aon ‘author, wits an >. sik Ges EMME ie? ae Pers anid other ielaior classes of BRE Ss have sie toate alk: an a server whom we may with safety as well as pride, place in the feat. rank with any European Entomologist. Even the despised seience of Conchology, so much sneered at by those who have formed comparative estimates of the value of different b human knowledge, is daily obtaining respectable votaries, and they who, with supercilious feelings, were inquiring to what use the study. of ebells onl: be spplieds are at length convinced, that the nernetuates the ; or litte, ‘quenein denies ike iw. ‘ fa a ph ysical s sib ain: hi ttc Sa 1. Site Mie he? , eee s aT and ee ee ee its views and the sidibinaithy eer iti shwventigutionag: to Astrono! variously and strikingly illustrated by a <= owle 142 5 Dr. T. R. Beck’s Address. R eutenw”. sue country, (says the poet,) and man made the town. ‘What wonder then (he adds) that health and virtue, gifts That can alone make sweet the bitter draught, ebat ne pee out nal ahora: rent abound, chaos the saonleden: aiieh the wisest “of men possessed was ‘that of the science we have just mentioned. It would appear that ‘he did not despise its acquisition, or think ‘it beneath the dignity of his intellect; and his example may at Jeast serve as an apology for those who desire to be its votaries. But even here, the argu- ment of usefulness meets us, with its usual force. The perennial grasses which afford sustenance to animals—the various vegeta- bles which furnish food to man—the lofty forests which present materials for his dwellings—and the numerous plants which are -ordainec for the removal or mitigation of disease, all require elu- cidation, or deserve inquiry. It is an object of liberal curiosity to be repainted with these, and even were it only a subject of downright calculation, it would certainly seem to be necessary that some individuals should be conversant with them. meanest flowret has its use. What the inattentive observer may consider as a worthless weed, aids in its place, in preserving the face of our country from being a eeartrn-like the namely of Arnis, uniphaii: able by man or mnimals,’ 24 ry detected L717 ae (a | | 2 [ eee eas eg ee areon the verdure of the fields for the copitimumios of perfect health. - Botany at the present day, is not a mere description and classi- fication, of: ‘species. Amides the systems which have been from geaemble: each other, most nearly, in appearance: and qu = This is an approach to g vedeatitadaaes dateed ———* It -has.-ascertained the natives-of different eleva- Gefigien Scat in Satedees mater \ Dr. T. R. Beck’s Address. ~ 143 Macleay, the affinity between certain classes of plants is most strikingly illustrated, and he has shown that the same chain which we can trace fooge man seat eeneghjeadenpeday to the lower interior ordre of vegetable life. These general views are, and the see pati oo a guide to direct. its, steps, and ade- ae which exhibits anew the ties of the works: of * MMinerclo ogy and Geolog gy} > obvious and so sadeeble, as torender them the most aa of the natural seien- ces, They are very generally cultivated amongst us, and there are many reasons probably, why at the present period, they should receive the preference. ‘The stores of our mineral wealth are but imperfectly explored, and it will require years, even with the pres- ardor for mineralogy, to become thoroughly acquainted with the extent and value of these natural treasures. Our own state is annually unfolding new mines of iron—new beds of gypsum— or new aeons of salt. As the strata which a sins — The northern rm parts of this state ied the most interesting, as to metals, of any in the United mre and a circumstance worthy of notice, may be adduced as illustrative on this point. So far as thei inqpioes: of hanes ea oe ceeded in that quarter, a rema between the minerals found in it.and in the iron districts: of of Swe den. It is not necessary to repeat the list, which is considerable, at this time ;. but. I will refer, in confirmation of my remark, toa paper by Mr. Jessup, in the Journal of the Academy. ut Natoral ‘ ‘ 144 Dr. T. R. Beck’s Address. allurgy ; and some of them have proved to be as distinguished schools of science, as they are of the arts. France is indebted for her present race of mineralogists—who have so rapidly and successfully increased the internal wealth of that country—to her ‘school of mines ; and the utility of uniting theoretical knowledge with practical experience, has thus been most amply: verified. When the mine of Pesey was first entrusted to this institution, the lead extracted from the ore did not exceed 27 percent. But by gradual improvements, introduced with caution and science, the product obtained by them rose, in a few years’ time, to 73 per cent.—the actual maximum of what the ore can yield.—(Keating.) Saxony, also, that interesting portion of Germany, has taken « a rank among nations, from the celebrity of hb for the promotion of mineralogy. Over it presided for tna the illustrious Werner, who, whatever may be said of his Sacks weit opinions, has at least proved the Linnzeus of mineralogy. He umbered among his disciples, individuals from every part of Eu- rope, and his fame even attracted some from this country. In Saxony, also, the art of mining has been raised to the rank of the most honorable profession, and the sons of the proudest noblemen of the land do not consider it as unworthy of their attention, to 4 x wc the nie pilin, and panioaes the: same > tasks as fices. Th lous aint of the” school is s also n most favorable. The Academy of Freyburg has, in its immediate vicinity, one hundred and thirty mines ; to all of which the students hase - access, and. which they are oren neriipd seats tend. = , tis onl, only when similar institt bo-negealeel in this country, that we can expect the full fouition of our mineral riches. Large sums are now constantly wasted in visionary speculations, or in exertions, no doubt laudable, but not sufficiently founded on the science practically taught. We may confidently anticipate the eriod, when such an establishment will be deemed worthy of pub- | satronage. In the mean ) Whiley a. saci ws Wis sey aio £utusw © phen | i the interest it must in ‘every enlightened and serious. mind. Dr. T. R. Beck's Address. 145 These are more and more understood, as society advances in im- provement and knowledge. I will only add a remark on the sub- ject ena wicca as the last in the circle of natural sci- ences—viz. Meteorology. I need not to state how generally itis neglected, or slau many arguments to illustrate its importance, There evidently are phenomena which can alone be elucidated by it.. That the variations constantly occurring in the atmosphere exercise a powerful influence on the general health, is universally acknowledged ; but the extent of this power is i ectly “eppent ciated. Why are we not to find in this the cause of. 1c diseases? The air itself is demonstrated by chemists: to be ho- mogeneous. Whether taken from the Andes, or the valley at eir feet—from the surface of the sea, or from the streets of the most crowded city—its constituents are the same. To what more probable cause then, can we refer the origin of general maladies, than to alterations in temperature, density, moisture, or rapidity of circulation. The connection of this science with medicine cannot - be too profoundly studied. _ It may throw —— on ——— — have agitated mankind for cc coniatien, at dae “ ; 1 to th irae v igetit wm ciences, which are comprised under the general de- nomination of Natural History. The discursive plan which I have adopted, was chosen, not only because I conceived it might em- more interesting topics than the examination of a Se - best e1 - those fragments of time, which I was enabled to allot to the prepara- | tion of this address. If I have, in any degree, vindicated the im- peer: of = gt or illustrated its utility, my design wir! for whidis.wo are associated. With proper exert on, it may be cas made a focus, in which sl ie aaindicds tana” diversified productions of our state. Nothing is wanting but a — : — portion of our time, which ORT ulia o endeavour to effect this. No so- y ; eee tionary. It must increase in usefulness and ots or it falls by it its own n weight. While, therefore, we 19 146° Dr. T. R. Beck's Address. have somewhat of a reputation, acquired by past efforts, to sus- tain, we should proceed forward with renewed vigour. There is, also, another inducement,which the place and the occasion imperi- ously call on me to notice ; nor shall I be deterred from doing 80, by any apprehension that my motives may be misconstrued. An individual, who, to the best virtues of the citizen, adds that of the generous patron of science; whose every action is that of the pa- triot and public benefactor, has consented to place himself at our head. Is it not then our peculiar duty to see that the Lyceum re- ceives no injury, or suffers no diminution during his presidency. In making this allusion, I doubt not that I meet with ing feelings on your patts. It was acustom of the ancients not to sacrifice to their worthies, until after sun-set, We would not innovate on this, but as the decline of day approaches, we may be rmitted to deposit our offering on the altar. Finally, let us remember of what state we are citizens. Is it not one which deserves all our efforts, and demands our noblest and best exertions? The native of New-England recurs with warmth to the pleasant fields, where he passed the days of his youth, and thinks his land the best of all the main. Those who dell in the south, pride themselves on the great men it has produc- =3 ly boast of their paternal soil. I honour both for "the preference they exhibit, They would disgrace themselves and bring contempt on their native states, were they not to feel and evince such attachments. ButI ask that such predilections’should also be cherished by us, who are natives, or long residents of the state of New-York. As individuals, its prosperity is identified with our own; and its exaltation should be our leading object as citizens. Ineed not dwell on the sublimity of its geographical features, extending as it does from the Atlantic to the Lakes—on grandeur of its rivers and mountains—the fertility of its soil— the extent of its commerce—the stupendous wonders of nature that it exhibits—or its noble works of art. ‘These are themes that : must animate every one who reflects on them—to render himself : oa 2 ea Saas oy y production were first calendel in ‘thin, his native Dr. T. R. Beck’s Address. 147 state. As with the man of taste, so also with the scientific indi- vidual. New-York can boast her full share of intellect. She has exhibited it in the closet, in the cabinet, and in the field; and as her powers develope, she will be found advancing in every great undertaking. The general diffusion of knowledie will illumine every hamlet ; and though the political agitations, which are in- separable from free institutions, may mar her splendor, or dim her glory, it will only be for atime. She is destined to rise above them, and to take her place as the first and fairest among the con- federated communities of this great republic. 148 : Ranunculus Lacustris. Ant. XVII. Note respecting the RanuNcuLUS LacusTRis. By - Lewis C. Beck and James G, Tracy. (Witha Plate.) _ Read June 7, 1830. _ One of the first papers read before the Albany Lyceum, now a branch of the Institute, was a description of a new species of Ranunculus, and for which the above name was proposed. This description, together with the reasons which led us to the conclu- sion that this plant had either been overlooked by botanists, or been confounded with some other species, was published at length in the second volume of the New-York Medical and Physical Jour- nal. The facts which we shall hereafter state, will we trust be a sufficient excuse for a few additional remarks upon this subject. ‘The plant which we described under the name of R. lacustris, had been previously, though incorrectly, described by Dr. Bige- low as R. fluviatilis ; (Flor. Bost. 1st edit. p. 139) from which last species it was clearly proved by us to be wholly distinct. We further stated, that though it might be the R. multifidus of Pursh, that name had previously been given to an Egyptian plant by For- skall, from which also our plant was found to differ. (See Dr, ith in Rees’ Cyclopedia, article Ranunculus.) In the mean time however, De Candolle, now at the head of European Bot- anists, changed the name of Forskall’s R. multifidus to R. For- skehlii, and left to Pursh’s plant the name of R. multifidus. For what reason this changa was made, does not appear; but it is oeesent that it was by no means in accordance with the common | s of naturalists. Following in this track of De Candolle, Dr. Bigelow, in the second edition of his Florula Bostoniensis, ‘describes our plant as the R. multifidus of Pursh, acknowledging that he had previously mistaken it for R. fluviatilis. Such were the opinions concerning this plant until the publica- tion by Dr. Richardson, of his Botanical Appendix to the narra- tive of Capt. Franklin’s first journey, when our R. lacustris, ora mere variety of it, received the name of R. Purshit. And finally, this view is also taken by Dr. Hooker, in his splendid Flora of Bee British America, who gives a figure of one state of the plant, not ; yer the most common. He appears therefore that our ideas of this plant have been con- 3 ~ ned by the authorities just cited. That they are not by De Sandolle and oe arises from rather an unwarrantable Ranunculus Lacustris. 149 licence in the change of names previously encm which can- not be too much discountenanced. Our name and description having been first published, is certainly entitled to the preference. The species is characterized as follows : R. lacustris : leaves mapenetged, ee divided into nu- — s terminal, yellow ; calyx spread- or vollewted: Ealocooe, half the size of the petal ; nectary pet- al-like ; fruit subglobose ; style straight, ensiform. Plate V. This, at least in our vicinity, is by far the most common state of the plant. But when it grows in shallow waters, or in ditches, the upper leaves assume various shapes, from reniform palmately 3-parted, to multifid. Dr. Hooker describes several distinct va- rieties. ‘To these we might add some others which have fallen under our observation. But all these varieties may be referred to slight differences in situation. This species was first observed by us in a small pond near Lan- singburgh in this vicinity. It is also found at Salina, near Ro- chester, and various other parts of western New-York. It ex- : Asatte ee and as far west as the Moots: chink 1-4 natural size, ete 2 the tiie, fall s size. em 150 Reclamation of Salamanders. Art. XIX. Reclamation of Sa.amanpers—in a Letter to the Baron F’, Cuvier, from Jacos Green, M. D. Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Corres- _ponding Member. Read June 7, 1830, ‘When on a visit to Paris in July and August, 1828, in conse- “quence of an introduction to you from our mutual friend J. G. Chil- ‘dren, Esq. of London, I received that attention and kindness in _your hospitable mansion at the Garden of Plants, which I shall ever remember with delight. I mention this circumstance both with a view of expressing my gratitude and with a Sent. hope of — myself to your memory. _ My. principal object in this letter is-to correct an error which by ‘some inadvertence has crept into the last edition of your ‘* Regne Animal,” where you attribute to R, Harlan, M. D. the animals of ‘the genus Salamandra, which were discovered and first described by myself. A full account of them you will find in the first vol- ume of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and in the first number of the contributions of the Maclurean Lyceum. Most of them are also potioed. it in 1 the Nouveau Dictionaire Hist. Nat. of Paris. Ihave fo animals, aa bieuteedeuuiee date to give a monograph of them with , as you have suggested in your excellent work. Some of my animals, with my own labels affixed to them, I noticed in the museum attached to your magnificent Garden of Plants—they ‘were probably sent to France by our friend C, A. Lesueur. - Those species of American Salamanders which are best char- acterized, and about which there can be no doubt, are the fol- Salamandra subviolacea. Barton fasciata. Green glutinosa. G fusca. Green. erythronota. Green. Punctata. G melin. _ These six are always found in moist situations, and never to my nowledge absolutely in the water. I have described in the works + referred to, two other land Salamanders, under the names ‘ na and S. cinerea. The S. cinerea is almost always Reclamation of Salamanders. 151 found associated with the S. erythronota, and though very differ- ent from it in colour, I am disposed to think it merely a variety of that species. Their favorite places of retreat are under large stones, and not under prostrated logs or fallen trees, as is common with the other land species. The S. Tigrina is perhaps the finest of our species, and serves to form a natural link in a chain of re- semblances, between the S. subviolacea and the S. fasciata. These three animals, together with the S. glutinosa and S. variolata, form a group which is exceedingly analogous in many particulars. I have no doubt of the correctness of your remark, that the S. punctata of Gmelin is the same with the S. symmetrica. This last is not so numerous as many of the other species, but it inhabits our country from Florida to Maine. Our well characterized aquatic species, are . alamandra Longicauda. Green. ubfusca. Green. Bislineata. Green. Jeffersoniana. Green. tfereasxts: i se Var. Whether the 8. a on Hy 3 a anne species, is yet doubt- ful. These three, in certain stages of growth, and especially when peeved} inalcohol, require minute attention to distinguish from each other. The S. porphyritica, in some of its eee, approaches to S. Jeffersoniana, but it is distinct. Were I not fearful of becoming tedious, I could sda tieay oth- er particulars on this subject. 1 shall therefore reserve them for my contemplated monograph. ‘The error which I have noticed in your late invaluable work, I hope you will correct, by the publi- cation of a portion of this letter, or in any other way which your better judgment may dictate. Were it not that your book is des- tined for remote posterity, I should not be at all solicitous on a subject which is in itself so unimportant. With sentiments of Oe = JACOB. GREEN. Ps. Total publish potion of his eer in some sient lage noche idelphia, a 1830. OFFICERS OF THE ALBANY INSTITUTE FOR 1830: 29 BBD 10- President, STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER. Vice- Presidents, paee SIMEON DE WITT, OLIVER KANE, ALFRED ; CONKLING. | Treasurer, CHARLES R. WEBSTER. Corresponding Secretaries, PETER GANSEVOORT, M. HENRY WEBSTER, zs, "NICHOLAS F. BECK. Recording Secretaries, TEN tY W. SNYDER, ELISHA W. SKINNER, | JULIUS R. AMES. Librarian, JOSEPH HENRY. Curators, “aE ROMEYN BECK, RICHARD v. DE WITT, _ LEWIs C. BECK, M. HENRY WEBSTER, = PHILIP TEN EYCK. ee th = eae is Mr. Butler’s bo, arnt _ Pi, a i XX. Discours delivered ifr hs ‘Aiainy INSTITUTE, a ersary ; its Incorporation by the Legisla- Sg 30. ee Bassas F. Burier, one of the iv addressing ee yaa a first anniversary of our complete ization as an n incorporated Society, it certainly is natur- d it seems to be appropriate, to invite your attention to era. adrvey of the objects of our association, the means fiat which they are to be accomplished, and the motives which _ should prompt us to vigorous and permanent exertion. Established at the center of an extensive and most inter- esting territory, with all parts of which it enjoys great facili- _ ties of communication, and including within the range of its ; sees every useful art, and the whole circle of the scien- ces, it is the. ALBANY aE are Pacastes filly « reecied by those who I aiirebs: oa it is obvious that the subjects to which those labors are to be applied, cannot too frequently be Bere to our iegrn o8 tion—for it is only in this way, t en laboriously employ ed in their respective callings, can be anaiated to those ex- ertions, which, in enterprises like ours, are indispensable to success. In noticing { the ee gee connected with the duties of ity = Literature, and in theme of my remarks ; ‘eas the other ‘cael oa knowl- * This discourse having been S ipiaiaed the presence of « mumerous assem Pe lies ladies and ey aperier ese gma: attendanc iano es were were omitted in its ers ae Pas tag 2 ucit rity in the ree tn the e preset publication. In - aniiithin- a pre to occasional « the d urse has been some tended in a few See tee tes oy osed that a parti "could Sorel further elucidation by a a slight e enlarge- eral notes have bees added, which it is hopes 20 154 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. edge within the wee of our pursuits, will not be ac overlooked, In eatablichane a sesai lau which, in connexion general history and literature, is specially devoted ts. - collection and preservation of materials calculated to eluci- date the history of our own state, we have but followed the promptings of a feeling natural to our race, and when proper- ly directed, innocent in its character and useful in its results. Institutions of this sort are common in our country ; and one has long been in existence i in this state, whose efforts it will be our highest honor t rd. Itw ‘ill readi- ly occur to You, - that r allude to the New-York Listoric - S0- gen most ieevedinable-s specimens of American literature ; its library, which consists of eight thousand volumes, is ex- ceedingly rich in works relating to this country ; and it has~ collected a great number of newspapers, manuscripts and oth- er documents, illustrative of the colonial and revolutionary history. of the s state and» union. In addition 1 to the valuable dinar d FA, age ne ee a hae q etal avo -recently tranilated pursuant 1 0 an act of the legislate by the learn- ed peste eae and Setar | scram Pei jals for the 3 wien not ui shed Siecali ish on “s shag borne by Nev ew- York i in ‘that ante contest, but _— in other — : ~£he original work of our ple hint historian, William th, gives us a clear and unostentatious account of me his- 5 ' se ea Se aeteN a Lat itso Agana 7. Buller’s Discourse 155 ke, arid progress of the colony, ion ths its acquisition z the ange to ap yent, 17325 > and his supplementary volume, ecently published by the New-York historical society, brings doen the narrative to the year 1762. But neither the origi- remark r oF Siidchence with the year 1638 ; and as Mr. Smith had “no other means of information than ‘auch as were to be found in the colony, he was compelled to pass over the period prior to that date, in less than three pages; and his notices of the succeeding thirty years are not much more extended or Satisfactory. It is evident from his work, that he did not un- derstand the language in which the ancient records were writ- ten, Cs he \ was Bead eae to incur the expense of will be better received from a more disinterested pen.” After expressing his apprehension, that it would perhaps be ce him to avoid the extremes of suppressing truth, on hand, or ex exaggerating it on the other, Smile ek solace reason for his silence, that “ a writer who exposes the conduct of the living, will egt tits meet with their fury and resent- ment ;” and that “ the prudent historian of his own times, will always be ae yward, and never give fire, till death pro- » malice and stroke of his enemy. se meg is pec to be received with some degree of —— if not of salem It also treats, too provins a of the political : of the i . me i of g . ¥ or > tecmal cnhaboak "ho William Smith, Ww over, the people of this state in perteniar, and the friends . Smith’s Eiicere, (Albans edition of 1814) p. 282. 156 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. of learning in general, are deeply indebted. Whatever i im- perfections may be discovered in his works, they embrace a body of authentic information not elsewhere to be found, and furnish incontestible evidence of a literary zeal greatly in ad- vance of the times in which he lived. To his historical nar- rative, he annexed, “a description of the country, with a short account of the inhabitants, their religious and political state, and the constitution of the courts of justice.” This summary, which is perhaps the most valuable part of his ori- ginal work, farnishes a succinct but interesting view of the state of the coFouiy! publication. (1) In 1814, an edition this te ie a continuation from Sas to 1747, ance 3 "bat it appears to Phe a specs hems anthentp sources, and is written in a style so lively and agreeable, that we cannot but regret its abrupt termination. Much labor has recently been bestowed on our early colo- nial history, by a gentleman whose efforts are entitled to the highest praise, and whose industry and zeal may properly be held as as | models for imitation. I ae to that coe of onial annals » by Mr. Fougi' Ww. elisa: iy hes Been given to the 5 PaBHE Mr. Moulton’s plan was at once Pier scribe and mi- nute. He ab gene afler oe =e ais orig 2% al an nal sie Z eer Se rk the 1 i : population and | resources ‘of our people ; “i deli eate their m manners, customs, habits and emp loyments ; a the mei desdlicue those which Mive had a permanent ence upon its prosperity, and examining particularly the (1) (1) See Note > ot AE = OB Spice of Smith’s history was pase in : a. oe ea 2 aed eee eo 5 Ak ; ot . IP 5. rie eRe A 2 me Se i asa iin) Ete ae kT PN SP a eg > Ae ee ees ee ee, ae : ; and to. to deduce from: the oral litical lesson, salutary to of the people He has published “Hu He had hes access to sabe documents in the office of the sae Sith of state and in the library Se, ew- York historical society. He appears also to hav with commendable anxiety, every other seceeblee source of information ; and whoever reads his work, will find in every page, proof of extensive research and unwearied labor. He as also, when she confines himself to the books and docu- ments b im, the rare merit of minute accuracy in his i 3 and he lap gives the. — on Evie his are particularly satisfactory ; especially when we consider that no gitinsr ea the Sraeattions ‘of thie poring: arete a, found in our archives. On comparing this part of Mr. Moul- ton’s work with any other publication relating to the same era, We are struck with the superior extent and value. of his researches ; and the inte elligent reader. te advertisement of the author, is surprised, “ not that so little has been brought to light, but that by any process of unwea- ried and elaborate investigation, it was possible, to present a arrative f the rise ee pe iad of the colony i in its infancy. 74 7 ) But though | the work of Mr. scr so. fara as ie lee proceeded, js an invaluable repository of facts: to which an- tiquaries and historians may resort with profit ; truth tice require us to say, that the great desideratum it 10 a} peerature—s compendious, entertaining ristor w-York, from its discovery. toth 1¢ pr rese ae ae Be: . * Moulte fe Hiiory, Part. I. p. 325. ibid. advertisement to P Re Tt . 158 Mr. Butler’ ty Distcaeve. is not to be éxpected from the continuation of Mr. Moulton’s labors, even if he should be encouraged to renew them. His plan, to be completely executed by one man, would require the labor of a life-time ; and so far as it has been presented to the public, it does not Sipear to have secured their approba- tion. The minuteness of his details, although in many res- pects highly interesting, are tedious to general readers ; whilst his frequent digressions—his desire to communicate infoeoas- tion on every kindred topic, though its connexion 1 with his subject be ever so remote—his retr pects and So interrupt the thread of his narrative, fatigue the a and offend t he taste. But in express- ith fran kne: x this opinion of his work, I cannot wi | ribute of admiration so eminently due him, for the zeal, d estedness and courage, which have characterized fits oe He Evora us in his preface to the second part, that he had devoted two years to the portions of the work then blished ; ‘ that he had spared no expense or exertion, in personally cotati original materials from the societies of several cities—from individuals, and through a friend in Eu- Tope, “es the eae ae of the royal library of Paris.” And t : a bad | not realized a Ser pa- t have d the timid, and which ceria? would have alarmed the selfish, ” he assures us, “ that as no peo motives had prompted the the undertaking, so no mo- sacrifices shall prevent ot gaprestaat Ag I baie s the sy year, Mr. James Macau's of age county, has presented to the public the ‘ Natural, statistica and civil Beet of the state of New-York,” in three fae It was ‘published fl mae at a 1€ au- ry Ra: Mr. Butler's Discourse. 1 and winds—with some notices of ‘its zoology and als re The second volume treats of the c counties, cities, towns and villages ; antiquities of New-York and of the western states ; of the a discovery and set- , and civil ‘be to 1750. The ings the civil history of the. tea olution—and of the state, from that time to ident Pom the slightest examination of this pons ‘that its author has | bestowed much diligent and laborions.z0: ) upon the natural history of the state sand. he has cer- oe collected many important facts, and recorded many in- resting observations, in reference to that branch of his sub- ba but it is equally apparent, that the greatest portion of his work is a mere compilation from other publications, that ee much of it is 2 smapplicable to New-York, and that many parts re Ponce: ‘of Smith, concerning of the colony. It seems never to have occurred to him to ex- amine the Dutch records in the secretary’s office, though they have been placed, a the provident a attention of the legisla- ture, within the reach to consult them From the surrender of the colony. to the he English i in 1664, io the year 1732, Mr. Macauley abstracts largely from Smith; though he has celine some interesting details, and has bro- ken up the paragraphs of of his text-book into a series of insulat- | cal-table, thana connected narrative. F he. follows i in like manner, the contineation « Smith’s histo- ry, inserted in the Albany edition of 1814; from 1747 tothe close of the revolutionary war, the « colaal and state je Villiams’ history of Vermont, and Marshall’s and Ramsay Ive of Washington, are the only authorities consulted. “Not nly have the gocuments in the secretary’s office and the New- k ciety, been wholly overlooked, but it is York 1 . evident ‘it even the printed journals of the colonial 160 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. | amenille have also been disregarded. The civil histor the state, from the close of the revolutionary war to the pre- : sent period, including an account of its frame of government | _and its literary and other institutions, is compressed into les: than fifty pages ; but though the matter be brief, the errors are numerous and provoking. Thus, he informs us, that sae the revolution, the state ‘government ‘ threw obstacles in the way” of settlements in the interior ; that the act of the 5th of May, 1786, “ for the sale of the unappropriated lands,” by which the commission~ or the allowance of public and. private engagements, was friendly to a Salar administration of justice ;” that er party ‘ viewed: with tenderness the case of the ehtor---thoaght it harsh to exact a compliance with contracts —was in favor of relaxing the administration of justice, and resisted every attempt to transfer from its own hands into ose of congress, those powers which were essential to the pgp ag Eistest Vogt of the union.” : ta this. latter party, | vehi es « on eae 4s 4: eee state—George Clinto1 ; and asserts that this venerable caiSemas, with savanal of: the leading men of New-York, Baigent the ole constitution , because s oid foresaw that. the es 3 f a fe ernment > their inn ower ;” - and he ck st i Galle © tai outline of the oie: ti es 1 in n the United Peake? with the bold assertion iti-federalists ‘* were the enemies’ bes sist union of the states.””* Under the head Eee the ——- of the state, we are in- re > when Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 16] trol.* That report, and former documents of the like nature, if perused with even a slight degree of care, would also have prevented him from aspersing the character of our literary in- stitutions ond. pulae: ee, by the assertion, that in order “ to more money from the state than ought to be drawn,” many are returned as students in the academies, % “who neither know nor understand any thing beyond read- , some writing and arithmetic ;” and that. the, regents of the are “ might easily prevent” these =~ aati they “ inclined” to do so.} But ifthe deficiencies and mistakes already pinkie ory ex- cite surprize, what shall we say of Mr. Macauley’s account of the common schools? His work was published in 1829, and yet he informs us that he is unable to state “‘ with certainty, the number of common schools in the state,” for any year later than 1823, and he then gives the aggregate from ‘ Spafford’s tteer” !{ It is almost incredible that. any. man.in. this tate, with any pretensions 4ednielligence, could be ignorant, that minute ani accurate returns a are ae sane) to sts ocalive ; a are copious P abstinete are ase rep the superintendent to the legislature, which are printed i in. the newspapers and in pamphlets ; and yet it is obvious from the meagreness and the splienty, of Mr. os Ss stateme that he is such a man. sf eee Mr. Macauley’s work is also defaced, by numerous mis-+ takes in dates, and in the names of inesiale: Many of these are probably to be set down as errors of the press ; but. there are others which must have proceeded from the: i ness of the writer. Thus we are informed, in the list of pe. instead of the eleventh of February, 1828 ; and that the’ go- vernment then devolved on Joshua Pitcher,. lieutenant-goy- ‘enor of the state. In the same list, there. are. several i impor- * Sect History, vol. III. p. 439. Ib. { Ib. p. 448. 21 162 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. These are small things, but they enter into the elements of history, and might easily have been stated with perfect : accu poo point out many other errors equally aripardonilal : but I am persuaded that the topic would soon become tire- My apology for dwelling upon it at all, must be found in the fact, that this work has gone abroad, ‘dbrougtout the union and to foreign nations ; and that as the ‘lbjudged letters of commendation which accompanied the proposals, are pre- fixed to it, there is reason to apprehend, that it may be re- ceived bi iveaps, 5 oft its a as an authentic record of un- doubted facts. A s been broad, and in some of our sister states. In the last number of Silliman’s jo ourna of science and arts, it is said by a corresponden ent, to be “a val- uable, though not a very agreeable book ;”” and we are told - that “ whvever will persevere in the habor of reading it, will obtain a thorough knowledge of the origin and sctileniebs of the state, of its progress in population and government, and of its aspects and resources.” It is sufficiently mortifying to the pride of a New-Yorker, that a work so erroneous and im- perfect, should be circulated among those, whose every-day: ; ¢ e enables them: to discover most ‘Bits ts defects, and to avoid being mi misled by them ; still more so, that it’should be read and fuidted by strangers, as an accurate exhibition of the progress and condition of our state. i turn Bal Sera from the errors: vel Me. she rt a se’ ott-athiodhs: ~Phie Tittle dolané is + incpohenlt welt ideiptod't — ithe purpose for which it was intended, and de- serves a more oeenave patronage than it — ~ ae e- ceived. © Tt must be: advnined; that the results to whichv we are led Lt brief review of the several works devoted’ to the en : story of our state, are neither satis nor € rag ee: There's seems to have been, on the part er Best wrie sja d reluctance to encounter this task ; arising, | probably , from’ an apprehension that its execution would im- ; ‘those who should undertake it, a degree of labor and Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 163 research not merited by the subject. ‘That considerable time and much laborious investigation, will be found indispensable to the preparation of a complete history of New-York, is not to be doubted ; and I know not the object, of a literary nature, tosmebich: the first talent of the state, could be more 1. Almost every other original member of the Ameri- nfeder , has received from some one of its gifted sons, | ad canst of its progress, from its commencement ioe recent date ; but the history of New-York is yet to be written. Our very pre-eminence in many other romunett renders our deficiency in this, the more inexcusable, _ The indifference of our writers, to this subject, not only i im- peaches their patriotism and literary enterprize, but is not very creditable to their judgment. The general features of our history are more varied, and its details more interesting, than those of most, perhaps ‘of any other, of our sister states ; and I am persuaded that the work might be made, by an able writer, not only valuable and instructive, but entertaining and poner: Some, of the aa by which our local annals an Ora) Di rly be eo 5 sg mon; * aboriginal ‘Tnkabitente "Of this territory, v we iat the eer confederacy of the Five, or as they were subsequently called, the Six Nations. 1am aware that mi- on pea on the antiquities and history of the natives this part of our continent, are not very attractive; but it = be remembered, that these nations were greatly di guished among their countrymen ; that during the whole pe- riod of our colonial history, they sustained an important rela- tion to the government ; and that even during the revolution- ary war, their influence and exertions were by no means con- temptible. Their early history, as exhibited by, Dr. olden in 1747, places them on high ground as the conquerors c neighboring tribes and the allies of the English ; and the dis- course of the late Governor Clinton, on their history, character and antiquities, delivered before the New-York Historical S: So- ciety yin 1811, is not only an honorable proof of his abilitie but astriking illustration of = interest with which real Hae can invest subjects of this so 2. The possession of our ae by the Dutch, for half a century, has also an important bearing on our history. It has 164 Mr. Butler's Discourse. been the fashion to speak of the Dutch colonial annals as dry and unimportant ; and it is not to be denied, that the details of colonization are usually meagre and uninteresting ; but im opposition to the received opinion, I venture to predict, that when the settlement and progress of the New-Netherlands, with correct notices of its inhabitants, their institutions, prin- ciples and manners, and of the consequences which have re- sulted from their amalgamation with emigrants from Europe and New-England, shall be embodied in classic story by a philosophic pen, this portion of our history will be found to comprise facts and topics of peculiar interest and importance. 3. Our history as an English colony, possesses, in common with that of the other states, the various incidents gr out of the wars with the French tnd their savage ies 68 between the colonial assemblies and their governors ee political parties which, from time to time, divided the sentiments of the peaploniths opposition to the arbitrary poli- cy of the parent country—and the measures preparatory to the revolution. It is distinguished, by the peculiar condition of society arising from the general prevalence of the habits and language of the first settlers, and by many events of local in- terest, ang, which may a enumerated—the fer oat of . by Leisler, and the incident which | : of tthe’ visit to our coast, and the proceedings whilst nére; of the renowned pirate, Captain Kidd—the contentions of the leading religious societies—the struggle for the liberty of the the case of Zenger—the disputes concerning the ins ti- Pe Oe and ‘powert of the court of chancery—the negro 3 . nd se - popular commotions—the wees: © te = hardy sons of the Green Mountain—and the transaction throughout the whole period, with the Indians resident in ly 4. The history of New-York, as an ind ic | in facts and consequences of the greatest variety and im- 3 portance. It is connected with many of the most important = events in the war of the revolution, and in that of 1812. In each of those contests our frontiers were exposed to invasion ; te ein each, our territory, often the theatre of conflict, was t to the os hour. ‘ti is not too much to say apendent state, is llustrate¢ by. the most splendid triumphs—triumphs, whose : that the momentous question, whe er liberty was to be hoped _ or struggled for, with all its amazing consequences, was de- Fomine aratoga ; and that the foundations of 7 ne em were re Taid anew, on the banks and waters of Champlain. y, since the era of the revoluden 4 is somite | ant ¥ 7S 1 seiking events. Under the operation of the — free principles then established, the state has rapidly advanced in all the attributes of greatness. No other country can be named, in which forty years have made 80 ) many and ¢ such ex- tensive changes. Ourp m millions—our improved lands from one million 55 counties separately organized—757 towns—5 incorporated cities, one of which contains more than 200,000 inhabitants— 93 cere ate’ villages, many of which are populous and lourishing—several colleges, and numerous institutions for instruction in general literature and in’ lect, common, and free schools, sufficient in number t cate all piers children of the Eb ene genre establish- : eli aiety attain aat~raA ight inal justice can es unked “with r agscr reine of the penal code, has at length been solved ; and happily for mankind, solved i in the affirmative—484 fnilies of canal navigation con- structed at the public expense, and owned by the state, and 81 miles constructed and owned by an incorporated company —salt springs, whose annual produce amounts to near a mil- lion and a half of bushels—1,406 post-offices—73 steam- boats, plying wholly or partly in the waters of the state—211 newspapers, 14 of which are published daily—214 i net ee ted manufacturing companies, and several hundred: manuf ries owned | by individuals or assoc iations pe . 44 and 53 insurance companies, now in operation—35¢ turnpike and bridge companies—5 savings ban ~s scientific and benevolent institutions— fn nearly 200,000.* These are some of the'results to be re- core rd ed in the recent history of New-York. The several steps n a career so rapid and illustrious, ought not to be unknown. we it to ourselves and to the would, to furnish a modest : 2 * Eo For > wend of the datails. here eames ae I am indebted to m Wilkams New- York Annual Register for the year 1830 166 ee but faithful record of our progress. Let the members of the - INsrrrvre perform their portion of the work, by ing such enquiries, and collecting such materials, as may ies iond within their reach ; and let us indulge the hope that the reproach which now rests on this department of our liter- ature, may ere long be successfully removed. Interesting, however, as is the past history of our state, and useful as our labors in this department of learning may be, we are invited to the higher and nobler duty of assisting in thie preparation of materials for its future history, and this not merely by collecting and preserving memorials of passing transactions—though such labors have their use—but - by ca con- especially of the younger part of it- The general diffusion of knowledge will furnish the most valuable materials for the fitare annalist, and give birth to results which will reflect glory from his page. As the great object of our association is practical and permanent utility, rather than scientific display, or present reputation, I shall make no apology for dwelling at length, on some of the modes in which we have it in our power to contribute to this end. 1. Permit me then to remind you, that the Albany Insti- tute, if its members will but nerve themselves to the task, may be made the instrument of extending throughout the state, by a proper attention to the useful arts and to the phys- wal sciences, benefits the most permanent. A great part ¢ ot the state i is yet waste and unsettled, and probably, con ble are incapable of cultivation ; but the general for- tility of its soil ; its peculiar position in raleest to the ocean, and to our great inland seas ; its commercial advantages ; its great extent of artificial navigation ; all unite to encourage the expectation, that its population will continue to 1 at least for the next century, in a ratio nearly as great as that which has signalized the last. It is obvious, therefore, that every thing connected with those arts which minister to the wants, the comforts, and the ies of life, is entitled, with us, to peculiar and i increas- e furnishes to all classes of society, the chief Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 167 support of animal life, and is the principa of national wealth, its improvement has ever been considered, - reflect- ing minds, an object of primary mporranea® “Having” Ws owledge of the art, I shall not enter into details ; state, greek ste te improvement, if not in the mode of eulti= vation, at least in the quality of the articles produced. On this latter point, those who have no knowledge o: andr may yet be permitted to express an opinion. To ilustrate what is intended by these remarks, and at the same 2 to avoid prolixity, a single article is selected—it shall be an humble one—rHE POTATOE. The value of this vegetable, as an article of food, not only for man, but for various domestic animals, is well understood. It must also be well known, that there are many varieties, differing greatly in flavor, in nutrition, and in healthfulness. Indeed there is no-article of food in which diversities of this” sort exist to so great a degree ; as will readily be adr Ee i Be those who have Miia eran she pene | or pink-eye oye Ido not hnow how it may 661 in i thee rts state, but I am persuaded that m this city, four-fifths: of thie potatoes brought to market are of the old varieties. Here: then is a subject for improvement—one too of great impor tance. Probably three-fourtlis of our population use the po- tatoe as a part of their daily food’; and surely the supplying of so many persons with the potinde in a form the most healthful, table and nutritious, cannot be a small question. This however is but a narrow view of the subject. We —- are not to limit our reflections to our Ve are’ to look forward to the time, ‘len even the’ sterile and mountainous regions which are now rarely trodden by the foot of man, will have their thousands of human beings, whose sustenance is to spring almost exclusively from the soil. On what are they to be subsisted ? Doubtless a great of them on the potatoe ; for among the valuable tes of this vegetable, may be enumerated the facts, that it may be ni where wheat and other bread corns will not succeed ; that it may be cultivated with success in almost every vatiely 168 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. of soil; and that it yields an abundant return to the labors of the eiticiier, and is almost always asurecrop. Next there- fore to the cultivation and improvement of wheat, the great staple production of this state, there is nothing more justly en- titled to the attention of agriculturists than the potatoe ; and he who shall persuade our farmers to abandon the inferior qualities, and to select and perpetuate the best, will not only deserve, but I doubt not receive, the honors of a public ben- factor. I am happy to add, that one of our most scientific and enlightened agriculturists—(one too who has already laid the horticulture and husbandry of New-York under great obliga- ee is now devoting much of his attention to the cultiva- tion of the potatoe. — To wish him the highest success in his _ende —is not less the dictate of patriotism and philanthro- : poss of kind feeling and personal respect.* But my reference to this vegetable must not terminate with the observations just made. It furnishes one of the most in- teresting and beautiful illustrations of the benefits which SCi- ence has conferred on mankind. The potatoe is a native of America ; and though the honor of its introduction into Europe has been divided between Sir Walter Raleigh and others, yet it admits of no doubt that the ole d world is. indebted f or hace addition to its products, nae out all Europe, it is now a most important article of eae and its s introduction into that continent has more than indi ato ee lawll known, Be: principal food of their borin population. The French proscribed it, because it was im- agined that various disorders were docapioinedl by its use. It was more than two centuries before the popular prejudices ig against it in that country, were entirely — and then only by the instrumentality of a scientific ¢ the distinguished Parmentier. The zealous and successfu exertions fe this benevolent man, were so honorable to his Sorssr here Tce The late Chief J ustice SPENCER, whose time i is now chiefiv Sere SS SSE Ee co ilvaite pn nan uct predeigth t Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 169 character and so aetehaeakie Speees seat I canhot fomet she 7 those to which I have referred, a little te paces He was nbs during the war of t he army of oe and he was five times inten - Whils Se eeison he cam Sis lich i tatoe, then beginning to be cultivated, though neither Silesd nor understood, in the German states. His scientific knowledge enabled bin to analyze the qualities of the root, and to discover the uses to which it could be applied. After the peace of 1763, he returned to Paris, and pursued with ar- dor every branch of science connected with the support of ani- mal life ; and it was not long before he had an opportunity of rendering his knowledge most useful to the public. as poisonous, if Parmentier, in a prize discourse submitted to the academy of Besancon in 1773, on the “ vegetables which in times a ‘Scarcity, may supply the place of those that are ed for the nourishment of man,” and ina * che- mica examination of the potatoe” submitted to the ler general in the same year, had not vindicated its character a demonstrated its usefulness. Nor did his exertions stop - He cultivated it himself; he persuaded the nobility to phate it on their tables; he induced the king to wear a bou- quet of potatoe-blossoms in full court, on the day of a solemn féte; he studied the most palatable modes of culinary prepara- tion; and on one occasion, he gave a dinner consisting only of potatoes, but of potatoes served up in twenty” different forms. The opposition he was obliged to encounter may be judged of om the fact, that when it was proposed during the revolu- tion, to elect him to a municipal office, he was opposed on the d that “he would make the common people eat nothing but potatoes,” for, (said one of the voters) “itis he who in- 22 170 Mr. Butier’s Discourse. vented them!”? These efforts were continued, in connexion with many others of the like nature, during a long life devoted to. the welfare of mankind. His favorite vegetable came into general'use-; and with complete success. Whole districts for- merly barren were fertilized and rendered habitable ; and his old age was crowned with the delightful reflection, that on two several occasions, great numbers of his countrymen had been saved from the horrors of famine, through his instrumentality.* The principle of these remarks might be extended to every other department of husbandry, and to every other of its pro- ducts. The thinness of our population, and the facilities for ob- taining land, have heretofore contributed to keep down the character of our agriculture; but the time has arrived when i begins to demand the closest attention. Not only is our popu- iy | first brought into eohiviaics, we must rely on the improve- ments of the future, to make-not only our inferior soils pro- ductive, but those of the first quality, also, more productive than heretofore. ‘'o effect this, resort’ must be had to the physical, mechanical and oxpeniaaenal sciences, all of which have a direct connexion with the art of agriculture, and for that reason alone, independently of other qosettinea bite! are entitled to our special regard. In regard to the other useful ast, I can only unere. ai most of them are founded entirely on the discoveries of sci- ence ; and that science is to each of them, a most valuable Look for instance at the influence exerted on the wits et the discovery and improvement of machinery. — The whole civilized world has rapidly advanced in wealth, and in the means of happiness, in consequence of the wonderful dis- coveries of this sort made during the last century. Prior to “ the American revolution, cotton cloths were as expelsive as silk ; now they are worn by the poorest individuals. Why is this? Simply because Hargreaves, Waitt, Arkwright, and our ewn Whitney, by increasing the este. of production, have brought them within the reach of all classes of society. Ps Parmentier died on ess ae of Duce: ‘nbor, 184, 3 ca age Ae — Bebe these Cored delivered before the Naito! institute on the 9th af January, oa Eesti st Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 171 The benefits rendered by science in the invention of ma- itiony: are at once permanent and expansive. When you have invented a new and successful machine, you have not only the power of constructing an indefinite number of copies ; —— copy is generally less expensive and more perfect 1 rf ee : del; and what is still more important, the scien- : mechanist will be continually discovering new uses, to which the machine itself, or some of its parts, or the principle on which it is founded, may be applied. Among the members of this association, there are several, whose talents have been frequently applied to the illustration of mechanics and the con- struction of machinery. The Institute looks to them for a con- tinuance of their labors: there are none which promise to be more useful to the state ; for notwithstanding the perfection to which machinery has been brought, there is nothing in past history of the human mind to require, or to countenance, the belief, that the wonders of inventive art have reached their limit. On the contrary, every portion of that history, is cal- A penepetide of arind soda aaa | uses to ‘which it 1 is se are trite fiipics of remark; but as they furnish the readiest and perhaps the most striking illus- tration of the principles I have stated, you will permit me to refer to them. The first successful application of the steam engine to any useful purpose of which we have any certain knowledge, was the raising of water from mines, about the close of the 17th century. Ido not mean to trace its subse- quent history, but look at its present manifold and useful ope- rations. It grinds bread corn ; it spins ; it weaves 5 it makes 172 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. To what new uses it is hereafter to be applied, no one can foretell ; though we may reasonably conclude that it will be extended to many practical purposes which have not yet — attempted. But who can foresee its consequences on society, in its ap- plication to those arts which formerly required the labors of innumerable men, horses and oxen, all of whom were to be subsisted whilst performing, at immense expense, operations which the steam engine accomplishes, as it were, at a single stroke? Or who can foretell its ultimate consequences on the intercourse of nations in peace, or on maritime warfare and other modes of annoyance or defence, in war? We already find that by rendering navigable many a our numerous rivers, which would otherwise have flowed on with little or no bene- | fit to mankind, it has changed the face of this quarter of the globe ; and that by bringing into comparative proximity the most remote portions of the union, it has not only facilitated all the means of ‘sinie-caniescnigoeiaits and dispensed ten thou- sand blessings to our people, but has actually removed, what was considered by the founders of our republic, one of the most formidable objections to its ke EE mean ane dane 7 anticipated from - ee immense extent of ry. eee 8s si a a ee fal. is the co bet the various branches of science— this improvement in mechanics | Soaring with great effect on the science of government, and tending, in our case, a ree : and stitutions. Mee sinc Saleuiaast to excite our admiration in viewlut arflst and to encourage our expectations in reference to the future. The first steam-boat that plied on the Hudson, ak the com- plete establishment of the invention, perform from New-York to Albany, in an average of sen, hanno to thirty-four hours—a result then deemed, (and justly too) one of the most splendid triumphs of genius and art recorded in the annals of our species. Aware of the disadvantages at- ¥ a first experiment, it was naturally expected that when a a second passage boat, came to be constructed, her speed — ‘ af ould be increased ; and when the Car of Neptune and Para- on were completed, such ts were found to have been made i in ‘the plan of the boats, and the construction of | and progress of steam-boat navigation, w : ‘ ‘our literary journals, by that venerable aad sci- > statesman, whose name is so honorably identified with this great ariprvrement, (Chancellor Livingston,) in which, after giving a minute description of the Paragon, the last steam-boat then constructed, he informed the public, that the proprietors had it in contemplation to build one or more new boats in which such improvements would be made, that it was hoped the passage would be performed in twenty-seven hours.* It is needless to trace the history of successive improvements ; the fact is before us that the passage has often been performed by the boats of the Messrs. pterelity in less than n eleven hours, and once by the North-Am utes- in epaferonos to which case, uct Benson informs me hers at easly Ter eed | in nine hours and an paras Paci of one hundred and fifty miles! In view of facts like these, who will dare to assign limits to the powers and resources of inventive genius? or, who will deem it extravagant to predict, that the splendid discoveries of the present age, will be equalled, perhaps eclipsed, by those of one We might thus go on, indefinitely, to trace out au VU sea c cn me is pass over this extensivé and interesting topics with- urther enlargement. The practical utility of the studies connected with Natu- tory, is not so obvious, as that of those to which we * American Medical and Philosophical Register, Vo!. II. p. 256. 174 Mr. Builer’s Discourse. have referred ; but when their nature, influence and connex- ions are dusaddlered, with even a small degree of attention, it will be seen that they are entitled to be ranked among the most useful of our pursuits. Take as an example the science of geology, which is considered by many as a mere bundle of idle speculations. Many such speculations are certainly asso- ciated with the history of this science, and its amateurs will probably admit that their knowledge of its principles is yet in its infancy. But as every enlargement of the boundaries of knowledge is a positive good, though it may be long before it be turned to practical advantage ; this alone would be a suffi- cient motive for the prosecution of such inquiries and experi- ments as are calculated to deuetepe those principles, and to establish them on the basis of certainty and reason. Whenever period shall arrive, it will probably be found, that this science bears to agriculture, mineralogy and chedlatry a re- lation somewhat similar to that borne by the globe of which it treats, to objects on its surface. When we descend from the aggregate to particulars, from the study of the earth to that of the minerals in its bowels or on its face—the uses are palpable and direct. And when from the regions of unorganized matter, we step into the worlds of and animal life, these uses are still more obvious and diversified. Most of them, also, are to be numbered among the discoveries of science; and she is continually en- ions the list; continually pressed ig the ‘world, new : the inetice ie Seis ow 1D =e ana | eto a anak al most familiar ‘call a nats ral yen which 1 treats of the domesticated animals—is sufficient for my purpose. Some acquaintance with the cha- racter and habits, physiological and otherwise, of these ani- mals, is indispensable to their profitable use, and to the pre- servation and improvement of their several races. This ac- quaintance may be acquired, to some considerable extent, by ordinary experience and observation. None, however, ‘but those who are well instructed in this department of basen histor »can be said fully to appreciate their value ; or to be spared to make the most of the blessings confernadl on us yen Mr. Buitler’s Discourse. 17% by. their creation. And the sale enquirer is continually. discovering new uses to which ee eta of tha toate creation, whilst in. Ne or portions of them afterwards, may be made sulmervient;: a: ee il is associate with. our earliest impressions ; with our no- tions of rel life, and of polished society; with the sim- t of diets, the most useful of oils, and the most delicate of luxuries ; with benefits and uses the most constant, extensive and important. Long, therefore, had her merits ine cele- brated ; the mythology of the ancient world and the natural faa. of the moderns, had done homage to her character and qualities; yet no one had imagined that the very infirmities of her nature, were to become the instruments, in the hands of science, of arresting the progress of the most fatal scourge which ever visited mankind. Such however is the fact; and ‘to the last syllable of recorded time,”’ the fame of Janwan will stand connected with the glory of science, and the wel: fare of the human race | Tt would be | sora mc etapa of tie mca show from og how every part of natural history bears on other sciences ; on the arts of life; and on the happiness of the social state. But I pass from these iderations, on which the occasion will not. permit me to dwell, to remind you of the intimate connexion of natural history, with some of the most important questions of morals. The earth and its contents ; the produc- tions, infinite in number, variety and usefulness, which succes- sively spring up to sustain the existence, and to gratify the senses of its inhabitants; the myriads of living things which teem in every element; the adaptation of each in form and habit, in instinct and qualities, to its peculiar situation ; all combine io furnish such convincing proofs of design, wisdom and goodness, that this study alone, would be sufficient to res- eue mankind from the insanity of atheism. Well therefore may we assign to it a high rank in the scale of intellectual pursuits, and richly does it deserve the patronage of all who would promote the well-being of our race: 176 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. : The Albany Institute, without subjecting itself to the im- putation of indulging amistaken vanity, may boast of amateurs in this branch of science, not surpassed, in zeal or proficiency, by any of their cotemporaries. In their enlightened enthus asm and well directed industry, we have a sure guarantee for the success and utility of our labours in this interesting field of duty. 3. Much ee may be done by diligent and continued at- tention, on the part of the Institute, to the subject of general edbacotion—2 matter whicli, in dignity and importance, trans- cends almost every other—for it affects the character and hap- ppeees not only of individuals, but of nations, and extends its e not alone to: a eee. a. — the present age, x Soa ‘ " “abst pose that edaddtion 1 is ‘all that j is required, to secure happiness i in the social system. No man whose opin- ions are founded on a just knowledge of himself, or a careful observation of others ; on the history of the world, or on divine revelation ; will indulge the hope, that education, alone, how- ever perfect in mode or complete in degree, can eradicate physical or moral evil, or relieve mankind from the miseries they produce. A good education, eer not nase enables us to avoid many natural ills, to which we w | be subjected ; but itis a powerful antidote to moral ova. whos operations and influences, it circumscribes and counteracts. aeaunmiaaee of its intrinsic po aes there is, at the present moment, a pe fitness in directing your attention so gene interest sition our Pansies or “called out so ex- tensive a aubresig In the course of this discussion, several new theories have been advanced, and various plans of gen- eral education pressed upon the iablie’s but I have neither the time nor the ability to examine them at large. My pur- pose merely is, to trace the history of public instruction in the territory now composing the state of New-York ; to glance at its present condition ; and in connexion with a beieF notice of ‘some prominent defecta, to suggest a mode in which the Insti- tute may contribute to their removal. ‘Ifthe colony of New Netherlands had continued under the bay est Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 177 government of the Dutch, it cannot be doubted that provision would have been made for the education of their youth in the language and literature of the mother country ; though the difficulties incident to a feeble and slowly increasing colony, prevented them from doing much towards the accomplishment of this object, while the country was in their hands. same difficulties, increased by the embarrassments arising from the prevalence of two languages, and from diversities in the character of the inhabitants, prevented the provincial govern- ment, after the acquisition of the territory by the English, from taking any efficient measures for the public instruction, until long after the eastern colonies. had established some of their most valuable institutions. In the latter part of Governor Dongan’s time—about 1687 —a Latin school was set up in the city of New-York ; but as the teacher was strongly suspected of being a Jesuit, it ap- pears to have received but little encouragement.* In the in- terior, there continued for a long time to be a great deficiency of schools for elementary instruction ; some districts were en- | des and the few teachers that could be found scattered through the province, were generally incompetent. The subject was not eatialy sverlooked by the govern- ment, but their measures were rather calculated to retard, than to promote, the diffusion of knowledge. Smith informs us, that the royal instructions expressly provided, that no school- master coming from England, should be permitted to teach in the province, without the license of the bishop of London, and that no person then in the colony, or that should come from other parts, should be allowed to keep school without first obtaining a license from the governor. + Several of the governors—and particularly Lord Cornbury—attempted to execute the power of licensing, in the spirit of dia! instructions which conferred it. These attempts were often violently re- © sisted, and always odious to a great portion of the people. The first law on the subject of education enacted in the colony, was passed on the 27th of November, 1702, on the petition of the common council of the city of New-York, rep- * Smith’s History, Albany ed. of 1814, p. 102. + Smith’s History, as published by the New-York historical society, vol. 1, p. 149. 23 178 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. resenting that there was a great necessity for a free school in that city. It provided that a skillful and competent person should be appointed “‘ for the instruction of youth and male children of such parents as are of French and Dutch extrac- tion, as well as of the English, in the languages and other learning usually taught in grammar schools ;” that £50 per annum should be levied by tax on the city, for the support of the schoolmaster, who was to be recommended by the common council, but to be licensed and approved by the bishop of London or the governor of the province. This act was limit- ed to the term of seven years, and at the expiration of that period was suffered to expire, in consequence (as is stated in the preamble of a subsequent law) of the misapplication of the monies raised for the payment of the teacher. © The unfortunate result of the financial part of this experi- ment, seems to have deterred the assembly from any further effort in aid of public education, until 1732, when.a law was passed to “ encourage a public school in the city of New- York, for teaching Latin, Greek, and mathematics.” This act recites, “ that good learning is not only a very great ac- SG but the properest means to attain knowledge, &ce. 5 3 that the city and _county of New York abounds with r to those of other countries ; that Mr. Alexander Malcom, by keeping a private school, had given satisfactory proof of his abilities to teach Latin, Gredk, and*mathematics ; but that the income of his school was not . sufficient for his support ;” * and it therefore established a free schoo which Mr. Malcom was to be the mas- ter. For its support, forty pounds were to be annually levied on the city of New-York, to which were to be added the resi- duary proceeds (not excending forty pounds per annum) of the moneys to be received from licenses to hawkers and ped- : ders. For this consideration, Mr. Malcom was to teach twenty youth, to be selected from the several counties, in the propor- tion of ten from New-York, two from Albany, and one from each of the eight other counties ; such youth to be selected oe by the corporations of the cities of New-York and Albany, : = speawhere by the courts of general sessions. In Decem- 7, this act having expired, it was renewed for one Se — 2 ‘year We ‘was not afterwards renewed ; but the school was eee}. oF Go eae a pets a Mr. Butler’s Discourse, 179 again continued, and is said to have formed the germ of Co- lumbia college. : Between 1746 and 1756, several acts were passed, author- izing the raising of moneys by lotteries for the purpose of founding a college in the city of New-York. By the act of the Ist of December, 1756, the moneys so raised were appro- priated to that object ; = § one half ordered to be laid out in the purchase of land and the erection of buildings. Previous to this—on the 31st of October, 1754—a charter had been granted, creating the proposed institution by the name of King’s college ; and a liberal donation had also been received from the corporation of the Episcopal church. The college was soon after opened for the reception of pupils, and soon became, as you well know, a fountain of light and of exten- sive good, to the whole province. No other provisions than those to which I have referred, are to be found in the acts of the colonial legislature, on the subject of education. On the restoration of peace, and the final establishment of the state go ve rhnment, one of the first points to which the great and good men then at the head of affairs, directed their atten- tion, was the organization of a comprehensive plan for super- intending the system of education to be pursued in the higher seminaries, and for the establishing of additional institutions of that nature. With this view, an act was passed on the first of May, 1784, altering the name of King’s college to Co- lumbia college, and establishing a governmental corporation, called the University of New-York, and consisting of twenty- one regents, who were clothed with a superintending power over Columbia college and all future colleges and academies. In 1787, the regents were divested of the immediate control of the colleges and academies which were placed under the government of trustees, but subject to the general supervision of the regents, who were also by this act empowered to in- corporate colleges and academies. ps ’s history, as published by the N. Y. histerical opts vol. 2, p. 93.— Coke chnie, in his discourse before the alumni of college, in 1827, refers to that part of the seeaalile above quoted, which bears witness to the cappeny of the New-York — as if oo ri even at that early ~ sea it wae 180 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. The cause of education received a new impulse from this measure ; for though the regents of the university were not, at first, invested with the control of any funds, they devoted much attention to the concerns of the college ; encouraged the _ Institution of academies; and pressed upon the legislature, with great zeal and perseverance, the duty of affording timely assistance to the infant seminaries then struggling for exist- ence. Their exertions were successful. In the year 1789, acts were passed providing for the disposition of the public do- main in the northern and western parts of the state, and laying it out into townships for settlement. In these acts, lands are specially set apart in the several townships, for the general promotion of literature and for the support, in such townships, of common schools and religious institutions. The lands thus reserved for the towns, are usually known as the “ gospel and school lots,” and together with other tracts since granted for the like purposes, have been placed under the superintendence of trustees chosen annually by the electors of the several towns, who also direct the mode in which the income of these local funds is to be applied. It was long before any thing was received from them, but they produced during the last year, to the towns in which they are situated, an aggregate revenue of nearly $12,000. | | = By an act passed in 1790, the regents were authorized to take possession of certain lands, with directions to lease or sell the same, and to apply the proceeds to the advancement of science and literature in the college and academies under their care, The income arising from this appropriation, was increased in 1792, by a grant of £1500 per annum, for five years, to be ap- plied to the same purposes. The monies thus placed under the control of the regents, were applied to the occasional main- tenance of promising young men whose parents were too indi- gent to pay the expense of tuition; to the support of addition- al teachers in feeble institutions; to the increasing of the compensations of teachers, where the seminaries employing _ them had not the means of providing adequate salaries; and to the purchase of philosophical apparatus and scientific books, vhich at that period were only to be procured by importations from Europe. In connexion with the pecuniary aid thus dis- ~ Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 181 pensed t pains were taken to elevate the standard of ed- ucation in the seminaries connected with the university ; and the regents were soon able to congratulate the legislature on the general improvement and prosperity of those institutions. Nor did their efforts terminate when they obtained the means to promote instruction in the higher branches of knowledge. In their annual report for the year 1793, they suggested tothe legislature ‘ the numerous advantages which would accrue to the citizens in general, from the institution of schools in — various parts of the state, for the purpose of instructing child- : ren in the lower branches of education ;” but nothing being done in pursuance of this suggestion, they again presented the subject in their next annual report, with the declaration that “the numerous infant settlements annually forming in the | state, chiefly composed of families in very indigent circum- stance s, and placed in the most ‘unfavorable situations for in- nctica, appeared to call loudly for legislative aid in behalf of their rising offspring.” During the session of 1794, some attention was devoted to this matter by the ee but no law bei "pass yatlen roeente BS eee wed tl heir forn ee weight of an executive recommendation, anil the peak f ohpast : was at length accomplished. On the 9th of April, 1795, an act was passed, “‘ for the en- couragement of schools,” by which £20,000 were directed to be annually apportioned among the several counties, for the purpose of maintaining schools in the several cities and towns, in which the children of the inhabitants were to be instructed in such branches of knowledge as were useful and necessary ‘to complete a good English education.”? The several cities and towns, were also to raise by tax, sums equal to one half the monies to be received by them, which additional sums were to be added to the amounts so received, and to be ap- plied in the same manner. The distribution aad application of the moneys, in the several towns, was entrusted to com- missioners and trustees, much after the manner now in use. This act, though temporary in its character, may justly be considered as the commencement of that great system of pub- lic instruction, which now constitutes the crowning glory of New-York. Mr, Butler's Discourse. < The acts of 1792 and 1795, having expired, an act for “the 1801, b 7. shiek four lotteries were granted for the raising o of _ $25,000 each—one half to be placed in the hands of the re- | ais. of the university, for distribution by them among the _ academies, and the residue to be paid into the state treasury, to be applied for the encouragement of common schools, in such manner as the legislature should from time to time di- rect. This act laid the foundation of the LireraTuRE AND Common Scuoou Funps. In the mean time, the legislature had riiade several dona- : tions to » Columbia and Union colleges, the latter of which was _ Incorporate Lon the 25th of February, 1795. And since the year 1801, grants of money and land have also been made in nstances s, and. to a large amount, to the several col- — d academies, and particularly to those of the latter in- F eitutions: which were from time to time incorporated by the legislature. (5) ‘The Literature fund was occasionally, though not largely, increased, until the act of April 1827, by which the legisla- tare inde to it an additional grant of $150,000, the income so : — sphishe: as well as of their former funds, they directed the = BOF at See distribute annually among the incorporated acade- ie aries other than colleges, which were then sub- . pag or “ahsuld eater become subject, to their visitation and control——such distribution to be made in proportion to the number of pupils in each seminary, who, for_ ie during the preceding year, shall have pursued therein classical studies, or the higher branches of English education, or both. In making this grant, the legislature appear to have had in view, three objects of great importance—the advance- ment of classical learning—the establishment of comprehen- sive courses of instruction in the sciences and in the higher branches of English education, with special reference to the education of teachers—and the encouragement of institutions for the instruction of females in the higher departments of knowled se. -» In connexion with the latter point, I cannot help noticing be a coe a aay Wiel wots markable .and interesting cont ast. etw the re ions of the law of 1827—the | the province; that of 1827 is not only free from sectarianism, and governmental control, but it embraces within its in both sexes of our youth. These laws are in strict a | with the spirit of the eras to which they cory doubt, indeed, whether a more faithful or im tion of the htinicter of those eras eemny where es be met with. It is proper to add, that among th now under the care of the regents, are the academies exclu- sively devoted to the education of young ladies; and that pupils of two of them compose a large and most eat 7 of 1 auditors. portion my present. Impressed, equally with the ea oie witha’ sense. Joffthe. apportance of ae great objects intended: to be Saad by the act sso, the. y have z 7 S@C= 18th of March, 1828, they ‘presoribed the studies to bes sued and the conditions to be complied with, to entitle an academy to a share of the public monies; and as the terms of this ordinance were considerably in advane of the general course of instruction before in use, its o was. beneficial. This, however, is but a sotiotatal advantage— the more direct results of the law of 1827 are to be found in the incorporation of several academies since its passage, and in the great increase in the number of students in classical lit- erature and in the higher branches of English eating” now instructed in the academies. (6) The Common School fund, received no onsiaursite acces- sion until 1805, although the duty of establishing and fostering common schools in every part of the state, was frequently en- forced i in the speeches of the executive. In April, 1805, an act was passed, “to raise a fund for the encouragement of - common schools,” by which the net proceeds of 500,000 acres (6) See Note 6, 184 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. of land ¥ were appropriated:as a permanent fund for the support of ¢ schools, such proceeds to be accumulated until the somal § interest should amount to $50,000, after which that interest was to be distributed in such manner as the. legislature should direct. Further additions were made to the fund in 1807, 1810, and 1812, in the last of which years an act was paneed = for the establishment of common schools.” The first 00: was made in 1814, since which period ‘the inviolability ‘of the fund has been secured by the amended constitution, and its amount so much augmented that its annual income is now about $95,000, to which is annually added from the general fund so much as. may be requisite to make $100, 000, the amount directed by law to be annually | the towns. Jn addition to this sum, a like amount is required to be raised in, the several towns, which added to,the moneys received from the state, the whole is distributed amongst the school districts.* This.large sum is disbursed armongst more than 8,600 schools, upon a plan so simple and secure, that for several years past, not an instance has occurred, in which the money allotted to: a single school district has failed to reach its proper destination. (7) Besides the institutions which are thus connected with our general system of public instruction, there are in the cities of New-York and Albany, and in almost every other considera- ble town in the state, Lancasterian and other schools, which, though generally regulated by the municipal authorities of the the places in which they are situated, or by acts of incorpora- tion or other special laws, are, to a greater or less extent, sup- by public moneys. In some cases the pupils are taught gratuitously’: ; and in most of them the charges are so mod- erate, that even the poorest inhabitants may procure for their children the means of education. (8) This brief review of the history of public instruction in this state, ought not to be closed without a tribute of gratitude to those wise and patriotic public servants, who at the very be- = "rr. ry Pane MPs OF. . 4%. cae yi oy bd ss = Mis sete, but the and in fr ‘etait this power is Gntecised.. In Tan ae ane oe were thus levied beyond ; the amount required by law. (7) See Note 7. (3) See Notes. -~ Mr. Builer’s Shltpieds. 185 ginning of our career as an independent state, laid the founda- tion of the policy which has since been pursued. The direc- tion then fiber to the public councils, has never been aban- doned. The promotion of literature and of general instruction, has aways been a rallying point which has united the feelings and cc rated the exertions of men, whose opinions on other fivtenintere not only discordant, but irreconcilable. The state has often been shaken to its centre by political collisions ; and it has sometimes happened that objects of real Lenore have; under the influence of feelings engendered by those collisions, been neglected or opposed ; but at all times, and under all cir- cumstances, this great interest has received from all men of all parties, a constant and enlightened protection. This single fact, whilst it confers upon our people the highest honor, is sufficient to vindicate the utility of republican institutions. In reference to the present State of education in the higher literary institutions, Iam not possessed of sufficient informa- tion to speak very particularly. Judging from the returns made to ae regents of the university, and from such means a knowl within the reach of the com at I believe it may be said, that the standard of c 1 SSI degen duce tion is steadily advancing ; and that many branches of science and particularly those connected with the useful arts and adapted to practical purposes, are taught in much greater va- riety and extent, than heretofore. These beunchiie: are culti- vated with much success in the academies; Geneva college was established with special reference to instruction in them, and has an English department not connected with the study of the ancient languages ; and the trustees of Columbia col- lege, by a recent statute, have established new courses ees = struction by popular lectures and by tuition in the college bracing the modern languages, and most of the sciences in nected with commercial pursuits, and with mechanics and ame Ca _ But while we notice with pleasure, this a of rmer systems of education, it is proper to observe, that the term of. study remains generally the same. And I fear it must be said of some of our higher seminaries, that too many studies are crowded into a short space of time, and that the 186 i Mr. Butler’s Discourse. ide are therefore hurried through their academic courses. Thi ’ the way—is characteristic of our countrymen. In education as well as in other matters, every thing must be done with rapidity. The injurious consequences of this sys- tem are numerous. ‘The atiention of the pupil is distracted by the multifariousness and variety of his studies; he learns a little of many things, but acquires most things copoaluinls ; and what is still worse, the habit of superficial examination thus acquired in early life is rarely ever shaken off. It is needless to add, that wherever it exists, it is the fruitful source~ of error. This system of instruction has received countenance and currency, from the schemes which are so frequently presented to oe: public, by teachers who profess to as SS Se gl anches of knowledge, and especially the languages, in very limited number of lessons. The mode of instruction sa sued by these teachers, is often well calculated to expedite the progress of the learner ; and so far, they may be considered as useful auxiliaries in the 8 cause of knowledge. But the at- tempt to teach any thing worth knowing, by a few lessons of an hour or two each, is not only contrary to all experience, but to the whole analogy of nature. Here and there, a fa- vored genius may be found, who seems to master, as if. by i in- tuition, the most difficult brdiiclon of science ; but in ordinary " eases, the advancement of the mind, in any particular direc- tion, is slow and gradual; and it generally. requires years of patient and laborious application rity of k 2. _ This law of our nature cannot “be é¥u over- come 5 but reason, experience and analogy all concur in dez monstrating, that the mental growth may be promoted by fa- vorable methods of cultivation, and that i improvements in those methods are not only legitimate objects of desire, but witht suitable exertions, of expectation and attainment. - ‘We have witnessed within the last thirty years the ae: _ ery of such improvements; some of which have challenged the admiration of the wonisl Of these, the system of mutual instruction, first brought to maturity and to public notice by ih. Lancaster, is, I apprehend, decidedly the most j impor- tant. ae not ply led to the greatest results in the schools Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 187 in which it has been applied ; but it has been the instrument of awakening the attention of the whole civilized world to the subject of public instruction; and of bringing forth im- provements of the most beneficial character in every depart- ment of education. This sublime discovery, however, is best adapted to those large cities or thickly populated countries, in which instruction is required for great numbers of children whose parents are unable to provide for their education. Our sparse population, and the comparative absence of pauperism in the interior of the state, have confined the Lancasterian schools to our cities and large villages; and to such places they will probably continue to be confined, for many years to come. But the system of mutual instruction is founded on principles so simple and philosophical, that to some con- siderable extent they would seem to be of universal applica- _ The colleges and academies, however, furnish but a small part of our means of public instruc tion—the common schools are not only more numerous, but more important. It appears ym the superintendent’s last annual report, that there are in vided by legislation. If, in addition to this endowment, and to a competent acquaintance with those branches of learning which they undertake to teach, the instructors in our common schools could also be imbued with the spirit of the age, a great desideratum wanld be obtained. Unfortunately, however, : es Spa ae BAM Y i or r é wk : 4 ? zoe Oh pees + ; + ‘ : i f 188 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. in many parts of the state, the teachers of common schools have been standing still, while the rest of the world were rward. The consequence is, that the character of the schools, and of the pupils, is siecesaiyiiy below the ele- vated standard to which it should be brought; for when the teacher does not keep pace with the progress of the age, the pupil will assuredly suffer a corresponding retardation. _The importance of educated and competent teachers, is gen- erally admitted by the intelligent and thinking part of our community ; but how are they to be procured ? The plan of establishing institutions for the instruction of teachers, as has been done in Prussia, and in some other parts of Europe, has often been suggested, and during the last ses- ion, was earnestly pressed upon the legislature, in an elabo- rate petition from the citizens of Rochester. The anxiety evinced by the framers of that petition, to elevate the charac- ter of the common schools, and to place the means of a solid education within the vienaks of every child in the state, deserve the highest commendation. But they seem not to have con- sidered, that the legislature, by the addition to the literature fund bee 1827, did all that the then existing state of our finan- ces permitted, and perhaps all that the exigencies of the case regents of the university, to assert, that there are academies in every senate district, in wechich every branch of science eon the oe of common school teachers of the nost character, may be pursued with every requi- cility. I confess, aire: I do not perceive either the necessity or ris advantage of establishing institutions special- ly intended for the instruction of teachers. If, in answer to this, it be said—what cannot be denied—that most of the young men educated in our academies, devote themselves to = other and more gainful pursuits ; and that only a few of them are to be found in the common schools; may we not reply, a that the fact suggested, instead of proving the expediency of establishing institutions for the instruction of teachers, is ra- her evidence to the contrary ; for it demonstrates that, even \ our. present means, more are produced than are son ‘- em the inhabitants of the districts. .Unless . Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 189 therefore we can increase the demand, for well instructed and competent teachers, it would seem idle to suppose that the — special preparation of even the best talent of the country, for this duty, would lead to its employment in the common schools. _ For if persons were to be educated as teachers at the lic expense, what guaranty (to use the language of the present able superintendent of common schools,) “‘ what guar- anty would there be, that such persons would follow the busi- ness of teaching, anless they should be as liberally compensa- ted in a district school, as in the other pursuits of life??? In countries where stronger governments prevail, and where the lucrative professions are overstocked, and the means of procuring a livelihood, scanty and precarious ; institutions may be established for the training of youth to any particular employment, with a reasonable certainty that they will ad- here to it through life. It will be long, however, before the 2 duty, importance and a 45 Delective systems of instruction, and the want tol proper school books, continue to be felt in the common schools. In- deed, until within a few years, we have had but few books well sidaptad to the purposes of elementary instruction. Gram- mar, as taught in the books formerly in vogue, was was even to youth considerably advanced, a cabalistic jargon ; its rules were acquired by rote, and anpied with but little apprehen- sion of the principles on which they were founded. It is not perhaps more than ten or a dozen years, since the first gram- mar was produced (Ingersoll’s) which was level in any de- gree to the comprehension of the younger classes of le 4 and the merits of this work seem to have been buried in the mass of publications, on the elements of English cbigee which are constantly issuing from the press. So far as common schools are concerned, it is used in only two towns in the state. In arithmetic, also, until within a short time, the elementary exercises were ill adapted to the capacities of children. Within a few years, the system of Pestalozzi has been introduced in the eastern states, and in some of our 390 _ Mr. Builer’s Discourse. schools, with decided success. Its simplicity, and its admira- ble method of illustration, realize all the principles on which school books ought to be prepared. I might mention many other manuals — brought out, and admirably adapted to every class of lea But the aisles in school books, like those in the modes of instritction, though generally adopted in academies and in the select schools in our large towns, fail of reaching our common schools, It appears from the last report of the secretary of state, that there are now in use more than one hundred different kinds of school books. This want of uni- eines Bi is much to be lamented ; but it is still more a subject “regrei ht so many inferior peeks should be retained in ae idea has been indulged, that this evil oT nis edied by legislation ; and a set of books intended - embrace a soiniplete course of common school education, tas been actually prepared and submitted to the examination of the legislature, by a meritorious instructor, with a request that it might be adopted by the legislature, and recommended to cats use. This request—which received countenance a the fact that the work was stated to have been com- ed under the auspices of the late Governor Clinton sconded by the je petition: of een respectable citizens, ine by everal of our most distinguish - ws ww TT we Oe ed Merny characters. The respect to which they are so em- ars i arse forbids ot supposition: that they ¢ can have re- 3 I , without due nt. V h n, therefore, af express my decided saa pprokation this project, I fear that I may incur the charge of self-confi- dic’ and presumption. But he who can hesitate, from ap- prehensions of this sort, to state what are the conclusions of his deliberate judgment on a question of such vital interest, be unworthy the attention of an audience like this. You: will therefore permit me to state some of the objections to nigel th the first place, it is unsuited to the genius of our institu- ions and the character of our citizens : the former proceed- n the idea that the people are competent to decide for emselves, on all questions which appeal directly to their erest and intelligence ; and the latter, not only exemplify- Mr. Builer’s Discourse. 191 ing the truth of this axiom, but so fully imbued with its influ- ence, that I doubt whether they would more readily ower to legislative direction in this matter, than in regard to the tex- ture or fashion of their children’s clothes. — The principle of the measure is not only objectionable ; but difficulties would be found in its execution and results, I say nothing of the loss of the books now in use, and the expense of procuring new ones, because it would be wise to submit to very considerable expense for the sake of a very decided bene- fit. In some of the schools, good books have already been in- troduced, and it is not certain that any changes in respect to them would be. for the better. But admitting the selected books to be superior to all others, how long would they re- main so? The human mind, in this age, is neither stationary nor inactive ; much of the first talent in Europe and in this country, is ad to the preparation of school books ; and there is every reason to believe that great improvements would soon be made upon any set of books that might be adopted. by se Legissatuies The consequence would ‘be, that | would lose the benefit of t teas Ree ettablished by law were either revised o or aban- doned ; in either of which events, a great expense would be i Expenses from the changes of books are undoubt- edly incident to the present system, and will ever continue under any; but when they occur, they are usually confined to the substitution of one or two superior books for inferior works of the like nature ;—they rarely extend to the whole set used in the school. But whenever a complete set. of books shall have been prescribed by. law, the substitution ofa. new edition, or of entirely new works, would produce an im- mense expense, and the very fact that it would do so, would probably, for many years, delay its accomplishment, leaving the schools exposed, in the interim, to the injury resulting from the use of imperfect books. This objection applies, though not to so — an extent, to the erie ‘abe law of evena Agai a not the supporters of this measure oxediok: aa one oft the most important principles in our nature—that love of change and novelty, so powerful inevery age, and es- pecially in childhood? Or rather, is not the system proposed, 192 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. directly repugnant to it? The transition from an old book to one, is an era in the life of a school boy ; independently of its conterits, the fact that the book is new, is a source o delight, and an incitement to study. Hx who knows what is in man, has not only made the whole material world, “‘ beau- _ ty to the eye and music to the ear ;” but he has made it, in accommodation to our nature, various and changeful. Let us not violate this analogy ; let us not deprive our youth of this source of innocent and useful pleasure. You will do both, if you confine them within a circle prescribed by law, and out of which, they are to understand from the beginning, they are never to depart. The round will be pice ria but it will _ Soon become monotonous and tiresome. (9) . _ Without dwelling longer on existing defects, let us enquire show they are to be remedied ? For truly unprofitable will these Sinervaies have been, if Something remedial shall not be either produced or suggested by them. Considering the subject with a just reference to our frame of government, and to the temper and habits of our people, it is hardly to be ex- pected that either of the mischiefs to which we have alluded, can be corrected by legislation. How then is it to be done ! ; T answer—By the general diffusion of knowledge—especially on the subject of education. You must reach the parents of our youth, and the officers of the school districts, and by im- pressing them with a just sense of the value of education, and of the advantages, in respect to economy and preGolna eh result from the employment of competent teachers, late them to higher efforts. You must reach the instruc- tors in our schools, and by making them acquainted With re- cent improvements, increase their usefulness, and aid them in the performance of their duties. You must reach the chil- dren themselves, and by diffusing instruction, on subjects not within the competency of their teachivrag counteract, so far as - may be, the evils of defective instruction. And sinong-l the means to be employed for these purposes, I know of none so efficient as the press. Severai periodicals are now published 28 a in New-England, in which the subject of education is treated ss = a ‘manner well adapted to the use of teachers of the higher rra : err a —" circulation in this state ; Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 193 but not enough to make a very decided impression on 7. public mind. Nor can they, in the nature of things, be well adapted to our system and state of society, as if oublished in this s state and conducted with special reference to our local mi ie a RB ica dae thy sv Te ha ve rie séveral publications intended for the use of children .and youth; but as none of them are in general use in the common eee the eget of newspapers, has been bit ithod, might be read with oer aveuntiire by the “settee pupils in our primary institutions. In addition to articles of intelligence, their miscellaneous character renders them pecu- 7 interesting and attractive. Of the 211 newspapers pub- in this ae there are many which not only fulfill the y of disseminati g early and correct information in regard ; i oR even the best contuctal ee and rival the most labored and valu- aioe aes render to the ¢: cause of a nce. = S, even of Sahar, hich are unfit for | e pe! ith. The same objections apply, though not to so pet’ an cia to any attempt to make use of ordinary newspapers with a view to the sneral improvement of education. The several ‘objects —— can therefore only be at- 194 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. tained, by establishing a journal of instruction, wisely adapted to the ‘oud proposed, and by placing its management under such auspices as will not only secure public confidence in regard to the general ability with which it shall be conducted, but effectually preclude the operation of any political or secta- rian influence. Such a journal is hardly to be expected from individual enterprise; and though a voluntary association might easily be formed which for a season would conduct it with success; yet the want of a fixed and permanent body to whom it eula be committed, would greatly diminish, and pre: bably soon destroy, its usefulness. _ The central position of our society; the perpetuity af our charter ; the fact that the members of the legislature are er is members of the Institute, and the connexion with , public authorities which result therefrom ; our organiza- tion into separate departments; the varied sentiments of our members upon political and religious subjects, all combine to make the Albany Institute the proper body to undertake the publication of such a journal. I am persuaded that we could do so with little inconvenience to ourselves, and with great advantage to the public. And I therefore ‘beg permission to = age yon. the outlines of a plan for the pee j I would respectfully propose, that the — : tute shoeld: wabhee a ‘ Journal of Instruction,” Stier semi- monthly or weekly, ,83 any be ghar oat tsps to be 7 4 exclusively UC VULEU LY Lil Capyenient portions of each wanbi to be appropriated, Ist, ‘ts and the } physical sciences ; “ad, to patiral history, and 8d, to history, and general literature, including a - summary of irentilic intelligence both foreign and domestic ; - one of these portions to be assigned to the corresponding ie. partment of the Institute, and anch to be filled with such ar- ticles, original and selected, as should be prepared by com- mittees to be appointed by the departments from time to time, ee as may be deemed most expedient. The labor of preparing _ the matter for the several portions of the papers would ae of tte useful works constantly issuing from the press, the re- rlew s, and m agazine 2 and newspapers published in Mr. Buitler’s Discourse. 195 Europe and America would furnish from week to week such exhaustless stores of interesting and valuable information, that nearly all the objects of the journal might be obtained by judi- cious selections. But as opportunities would be afforded for original articles, we should probably receive many from our ee s. Besides—we:should have a journal for the early publiesion of our transactions ; and its existence and the duty _ of contributing to it, would stintiate the members of the In- stitute to greater difipeticn } in the cultivation of science. I do not flatter myself that we could so conduct such a jour- nal, as to avoid all occasion for criticism, but I do believe that we could do it with less liability to just exception, and with greater prospects of usefulness, than any one individual, or any other association. The interest we should all feel in securing and ee the confidence of the people, and of their repre- pny. of other and higher amie exertion. The influence of such a journal if pasate into general circulation ; the evils it might carmeng and the good it might : sat Pe 2? ee bh ee excite You are e to ‘esnailés that either directv or through their pa- rents and teachers, you might reach half a million of souls at a period when they are most susceptible; and that whilst you were making them acquainted with the peer in the arts, and with the progress of knowledge, the movements of society, and the spirit and character of the age; you might become the instruments of imbuing their young minds with virtuous aa) and training them up to usefulness and hon | It would be easy 2 and een seis to ssi —— ~~ ne eric on the pleasures we should derive fi perform- ance ; but the occasion will not allow i: ‘Sufficient however has been said, to present the subject to your consideration, and ‘Ttrust, to secure to it, an early and favorable decision. (10) ae Next to the promotion of general education, I consider the — ; ofa a sound —— — and the encourage- ~ (10) See Wate 0. oF o> Beauty of style. Many of them a are ‘unexceptionable on the oe — morality, and not a few are profess 196 ; Mr. Builer’s Discourse. ment of native talent, as objects richly meriting the attention of the Institute. The severe studies to which scholars and xblemioad men are required to addict themselves, have comparatively but lit- tle influence on the character and conduct of the great mass of the community. It is the every day reading, the works of amusement and instruction, the newspapers and other period- ical publications, which give tone and direction to the public sentiment. It was upon this principle remarked by a saga- cious observer, “that if he could write the ballads of a na- tion, he cared not who wrote its laws.” This reference toa particular department of popular literature, was doubtless too _ Strong 5 but i it _— — = Said that the. laws and every: enced ation, ta much at. os works Ee form the aliment of the read- ing public aa one are selected in accordance with the pre- vailing literary taste. It requires, therefore, but little reflec- tion to perceive, that the cultivation among us, of a correct literary taste, is intimately connected with the growth of the nation in manly and virtuous sentiments, and of consequence, in prosperity and honor. So far then as we may be able to in public mind, let us endeayor to promote ; a taste to improve the affections, and to flor | . wee sail forth the nobler faculties of our nature. arts of this sort are | the more portant sepecnie 3 in re- world, t the aci tae sitiol a = 3 wledge and to ae formation of a correct taste. A oak Gait of the popular literature of the day, has no higher object than amusement ; and much of the first talent in this country, and the greater part of the eminent writers in Europe, are engaged in the composition of works of this na~ ire. Many of these (works are RUPE ae cs splendid powers of descripti tion, just deli d great coh EE ofessedly intended for — motion of religion—yet nothing ean be more certain, a thar that oe constant _—— of these works—even of. the Mr. Butler’s Discourse, 197 best—is calculated to weaken the understanding, and to pro- duce and to keep up an unnatural Lay alike injurious to the mind and incompatible with the active duties and the dry realities of life. When to this we add, that newspapers and periodical publications are much more numerous and ac- cessible in this country than in any other part of the world, we may easily perceive how great is the danger, that we shall — yecome a nation of light readers and superficial thinkers. But this is not the worst—for the last two or three years we have been inundated with foreign works of this class, the tone and execution of which are, in many cases, repugnant — alike to morality and good taste. It would seem from the encouragement afforded to the booksellers engaged in this system of republication, that these productions meet the taste of our countrymen. I consider this one of the most fearful es moa the times.”’ What will the next generation know of the sii y of Addison, the elegance mee Goldsmit atten e777 APrRHheo 11, ilies: ~ Pateedtor naaeed tai’ thing of Hooker, akc and —— who have already become many “of the trae ctions of sis 5 iaidin freee? ee who can caioabas ihe injury which may be done to the litera- ture, the morals and the welfare of the nation, by the indis- criminate perusal of such works ? : There is the less reason fur these pernicious 1 importatior because we have a rapidly increasing literature of our “aii, which requires only to be cherished, to become honorable to the nation and useful to mankind. I can only glance at this topic, and the slight notice I can give to it, must be conf tothe literature of our own state. In the early period of our colonial hasty, there was little room for literary exertion. The first co 5 ie scendants for several generations, were ana to Content themselves with the rudiments of learning. Occupied i in re- ducing the desert to a habitable state; in tilling the soil for their daily bread; or in repelling the attack of invading | ene- “mies; they had neither leisure nor inclination for liter pursuits.—You have already heard that until the foundation of Kings —— Tess, than twenty years before the declaration — 198 , Mr. Butler’s Discourse. of independence, there were no seminaries within the colony, in 1 which any other than a very indifferent education a be re The influence of that institution on the lite sate of the state, was truly wonderful ; for though ‘the whole number of students educated in the college prior to 1775, was but one hundred, many of them attained to great distinction in their respective professions and in public life. In reference to them and to their Alma Mater, the language of the Roman poet would ae be too strong— Felix prole virum . Laeta deum partu, Sestiin compiokk nepotes, Omnes caelicolas, omnes supera alta tenentes. “ora the elder bore of this Titanian progeny, I give you asa = sp en—Robert R. Livingston, Gouverneur Morris, and | i is Sah distinguished atike by his genius and erudi- | tion, and all illustrious in the annals of their country, for their talents as writers, and their services as statesmen. (11 The revival of the college, and the establishment of other seminaries, after the revolution, increased the number of our SS but until within the last fifteen years, though we had . names at home, especially in politics, theology and ju- isprudence, we had produced but few writers whose works had acquired any celebrity abroad. Within the short period Five named, a new era has commenced ; and New-York has gvee to her sister states and to the woud. many writers of stinguished merit, who have illustrated and adorned ya- - rious departments of science, history, moral and political phi- ; lene lite letters and j fatiipradencs. (12) Two of them— ing: anc ‘Cooper—have received from the highest authori- ties in th old world, in reference not to one, but to several successive productions in the most difficult branchial of litera- ture, the tribute of full ifnot of ungrudged admiration. From | the ‘hands of another-—also a native of our state, and like os = ge If we should add to this tite several other ling hor rs, who though t born and (a Se Rate Be : (12) See Note 12. Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 199 loi resided among us, we should include one of the most gifted female writers" and two of the first poets of the age-} But without plucking a leaf from the laureate brow of any sister state, we may still twine for New-York the garland of Poesy ; ‘aod though it be chiefly composed of wild flowers, they are flowers of amaranthine hue and undying fragrance. One of the sweetest has dropped, half-opened only, from a broken stem; and yet it has reflected on the soil which nour- ished it, a glory that has crossed the broad Atlantic. Whoev- er ee the London Quarterly Review, for November last, will there find the taste and feeling of the British public, loins” homage, through a medium by which our country has often been assailed, to the careless effusions of an untutored girl, who never dreamed, in her wildest visions, that she was to win such honor to her native state.t When I read this elegant and neous tribute to the intrinsic loveliness of truth, simpli- : city virtue, I forgot ev every feeling of resentment I had har- bored towards the conductors of that review. Tou ‘only think of them as descendants, v with us, non a a common lines re | Miles brethren: ‘of the same ae oe neak hike e's aiio language, worshiping at the same altar, ane cetatig a the same emotions with ourselves. And when I remembered that the pages of that distinguished journal were to be read, not only by the millions for whose use it was primarily intended, but wherever the energy of Britain had planted her power or con-— veyed her language, I could not but feel, how much the glory of a nation depended on its authors ; and this feeling swelled to an admiring estimate the superiority of letters, when I reflected that the “native wood-notes” warbled by ae child of fancy, would probably do more, to make known and to — immortalize, the village of her birth, than the bine ‘victo- ries achieved on its banks and waters ! meee ee Sak og Dinter fener ns dines Sins. Soe? | Eee ee " ‘and Bryant. - Tvcrtia Mra Davidson, of Phierst: 200 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 5. I should fail in my duty and I doubt not do injustice to your feelings, not less than to my own, if I omitted to remark, that it is still more important, that, we labor, so far as opportu- niti rmit, to disseminate the principles, and promote the pers of sound morality. In this respect, societies as well as individuals, have their character, and exert their in- fluence. Whether the influence to be exerted by this Insti- tute be extended and permanent, or narrow and ephemeral, let us see to it, that it may be an influence on the side of _ virtue and retina I am the more anxious on this point, because attempts have recently been made to diffuse among our people, un- _ der the: names of science and free inquiry, a bold spirit of ~ infid ty and ; atheism—a spirit, which if it gain currency among us, must iiieinaly- prove fatal to ste hatiohal char- acter “ahd prosperity. I cannot think this assertion too strong; because all agree that morality is indispensible to public dan private happiness, under any form of government, | and above all in a republic; and to me, nothing is plainer, than that the surest basis of sound morality is to be found in ~ = religion of the Bible. i More than this. q have no hesitation i in enya that i in my : on : ~ seendants, “in the sciences of government ai jurisprudence ; in the arts of social life; and in the means of public and pri- < ‘tease is ical to be ascribed to the npemneeest of Christianity. Be this point it seems to me there is no room or cavil. We know from authentic history, what the state of Europe was, before the introduction of the Chris- tian faith : we can trace its subsequent progress; and we can see what it now is. On reviewing the progress of society in = = : that | quarter of the globe, we perceive that Christianity has from it the institutions of idolatry, and their aol and inhuman rites—that she has wholly suppressed of the gladiator, the exposition of infants, the capi- t of children by their parents, and and the abandon- 5 ldren, the evils of polygamy and c freedom of f divorce, and the curse of domestic eos Mr: Butler's Discourse. 201 slave ry—that she has elevated the female sex to their j rank in the scale of bein she has greatly mitigated the horrors of war—that the practices of incest, assassination, poisoning and suicide, sti those other nuinidléss enormities, once so prevalent among the most enlightened nations, have fallen into discredit and disuse—and that precisely in propor- tion to the prevalence of this religion, in its purity and power, has been the advancement of the nations to which we have re- ferred, in all the attributes of greatness. When we look at our own country we see still more clearly the beneficial influence of the Christian faith. It led to the foundation of most of our republics; it sustained the first col- onists in their hazards, sufferings and labors; it has formed, with the most successful and thrifty of their descendants, the basis of their character and institutions; and to a greater or less extent, it has continued to exert through every period of our r, and in every pare of our confederacy, a life-giving and esatary influence. itis is no answer to this to say that civilization and knowl- willed? “for here again the testimony of history and exy is explicit and decisive. Whilst they inform us that 1 ignorance is the mother of superstition and immorality, they also assure — us, that mental cultivation affords no security against them. Look at the most polished state of antiquity—at Athens—in the period of her greatest refinement. When her schools of philosophy were in their highest reputation-—when she possess- ed poets and orators, emiciee it is the boast of the present age to admire and to imitate—-when architecture had reached a per- fection which has never been surpassed—when her temples contained models in statuary and productions of the pencil, the very fragments of which have ravished the eyes and hearts of succeeding generations—when the institutions of Solon were administered by that illustrious tribunal, which has given to the hill of Mars a portion of its own sanctity and grandeur— when her populace listened with intelligent and discriminat- ing delight to the debates of her profoundest statesmen—when even the fish-women in her markets, could detect the slight- est violation of Attic purity—and you will find that even in : 26 202 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. this “her high and palmy state,” her people were a prey to superstitions, which not only tolerated but sanctified, the “most licentious and unnatural enormities. ae To those who may object, that this proof is drawn from a remote antiquity, and that the enlightened spirit of the present age would instinctively reject the licentious polytheism of an- cient Greece, I would reply, by pointing them to the most cul- tivated portions of the heathen world, at the present hour, as proofs that human nature is still the same, and that supersti- tions equally unreasonable and mischievous, are yet cherished among men. If to this, it be said, that the reference to these nations is also unjust, because ihouge they possess many of the arts in greater perfection than olreatves: they are yet far be- hind us, in science and philosophy—the answer is at hand. The fact suggested does undoubtedly exist— —tis ‘indeed true, that whilst the lights of intelligence and virtue are spread abroad wherever the rays of Christianity have fallen, we find elsewhere, nought but clouds and darkness overshadowing the land. But the: existence of this state of things may properly be relied on, as decisive proof of the usefulness and superior- ity of the Christian faith; and how is the argument that re- sults from it, to be overcome or resisted? The air eraMy, to which I have alluded in the present condition of mankind may ‘fairly be ascribed to diversity in religious faith as its ulti- mate cause; for such is the nature of Christianity, that wher- ever her icine are known and revered, se cannot but pro- duce the most beneficent results. _ By incu neuleat g purity ¢ of eae Idi 1 u iorals, ° "she in im- | proves t ther manners ; elevates the moral sense; gives a proper direction to those propensities of our natu re, which would oth- -erwise become the fruitful sources of disorder and misery; and erects barriers against many crimes, which the sanctions of human laws would be unable to restrain. By her peculiar doctrines of charity and meekness she tempers with moderation ‘the penal code of individual states; whilst her enlarged be- - nevolence and universal philanthropy, diffuse into the law and | ste the intercourse of nations, the ae of humanity Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 203 science and free inquiry, to excite among the most numerous class of our community, a general contempt of all religion, and especially of that in which they have been bred. Yet if there be any class of society, more indebted than all others, to Christianity, it is the laboring and poorer class. Teaching yat all men are created equal ; that they are endowed with the same unalienable capacities of virtue, improvement and immortality ; Christianity comes with special blessings to the poor. It was a distinctive character of her doctrines, that they communicated “glad tidings to the poor”—a principle unknown to the ancient philosophy, and a fact before unheard of in the history of mankind. In accordance with this prin- ciple, she opens to the most humble, the field of competition ; stimulates him to exertion ; and sustains him with the assur- ance that he ig, equally with others, the object of divine re- gard. If, after all, he fail, as he often will, of obtaining the good things of its Lib, she indemnifies him for the want of worldly possessions and enjoyments, by inviting him to plea- sures, gpiellceia and sublime, and by setting before him orious and enduring. Christianity has not only enabled = poor to claim, with a divine warrant, their equal rights among men ; but she has taught the rich that the best return they can rake to Providence for its bounty, is to imi- tate Him who “ went about doing good.”? Hence the numer- ous institutions for the relief and instruction of the poor, the asylums, and almshouses, and hospitals, the infant, Sunday, and free schools, which belong to Christian nations, and which more than any thing else, distinguish them from the rest of mankind. The same spirit of equality and eee pervades the jurisprudence of Christian nations. Weal not exempted from the restraints of law, nor can the poor. be trampled upon with impunity. In a word, the protection of private rights, the enjoyment of civil liberty, and the even handed distribution of justice, if they do not necessarily de- pend on the possession of Christian knowledge, are yet to be found in perfection and extent, in precise proportion to the diffusion of oe knowledge. If the truth of any system of religious faith, is to be tested _ by its effects on the happiness of society and ‘of individuals, 204 ~ Mr. Butler?s Disconrses: (and this undoubtedly is one legitimate source of evidence)’ then it must be admitted by every candid and impartial en- quirer, that if there be any such system now known among men, which deserves to be received as true, Christianity must be the one, and the only one. At all events, until it can be shown by conclusive arguments to be an imposture, it is not only contrary to sound philosophy, but inconsistent with a just regard to the happiness of mankind, to reject a religion pro- ductive of so many and such extensive advantages. If however it can be shown by fair reasoning from estab- lished facts, that this beneficent religion, notwithstanding all it has done to meliorate the condition of mankind, is yet founded on falsehood and imposture, then, whatever may be the consequences, rr OUGHT To BE ABANDONED. This is the dictate not only of unsophisticated reason, but of the highest philosophy ; for no temporary aiivhintagés, however extensive or diversified, can justify or even excuse the main- tenance of a system sredied on those foundations. © This is the spirit of Christianity herself. She asks our assent, not merely because she inculcates precepts well adapted to pro- mote virtue and happiness; but because the authenticity of r records, and the veracity of their statements, are estab- lished by indubitable evidence, and involve in their truth, that of the revelation they contain—because her doctrines though not discoverable by human eee are not repugnant to, but consentaneous with it—and above all, because she meets the of our nature, and Anes what Socra- tes wanted—something to sustain, and elevate, and purify, the divine, though imperfect and erring, principle within. She calls upon the sons of men ; but it is one of the most glorious proofs of her divinity, that she calls them to enquire, examine, and reflect; “‘ to prove””—to test —“ all things”—to try them as metals in a furnace—and “to hold fast that which is good,” and that alone. But ’tis time I should conclude ;/ and what diredtion can more fitly be proposed to you, in refirenes to the commence- ment as well as the continuance of your labors, than the di- ine Maxim, TMMavra doximagers : $0 xchov xareyere 5 6. Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good ?” Mr. Butler’s Discourse. 205 | » then—the universal good—the ro KaLon of the ancient philosophy (the ineffable Idea of all that is sublime beautiful in Truth and Virtue) blended with the higher and greater ‘good’ of Christian ethics, be the end and aim, the object and the issue, of all our enquiries and exertions. And from all our studies and pursuits—from the forms of imani- mate creation—from the endless varieties of living things— from consciousness, and reason, and the inmost recesses of the soul—from all physical, and mental, and moral science—may we hear the voice of truth—a voice to lead us to the glory of goodness and the immortality of the blest ! St = NOTES, ik iA Deaton at | Aes ~Incom Mr. Smith, the New Yerk Historical Society hi have alsa mpihiined the original volume “ with the au- cript.” These om tions and additions, as well as the > supplementary volu ume, were obtained b society from the Hon. Wiliam Smith, of Canada, a son of the Siete,” io# er “snow ——* is saad in two volumes, the geographical sum- to the first. & biography of Mr. Smith, fur- dae 9 by his son, is prefixed to that volume The Siicritioas in the original volume consist ‘of several additional notes, and = about fifteen pages of new matter introduced in as many different places, in the te and notes. These additions, though in no neengaaee: cgpecineagai aapereens ate gen siete oe and valuable. The relat of Ups territo tory by Henry Hudson, as enlarged j in the late silos e contains a sing uninteresting to presen his place. — cage the spring of 1775, oe soni of a hatchet were found on the for the ——- it they had been made in is 1590, seventect pees a before Hudson's ste | 5 hg id rt Yates 8, [then apractics! surveyor, but ds chi PR PT RE municated to Mr. Beith, i in ea letter: meses oand the course of the survey of the patent granted in the year 1672, to Van Hendrichy Van masta in the county of Albany, as claimed by the proprietors thereof, the —— ere sctegrert yrds es ys arbitrators sppointe ed for oe prnmtnactacd ound es, to oni some distance from the lines. ne contequence of ita number of bias were ark bored. Several, whereof, — to - cut or marked, whose respective ag upon ascertaining the streaks gro ia 2 marks, c Gunted rare 110 to 140 years. But what more erbaulaity sae my attention, and to which I can find no satisfactory solution is, that at the distance of about one mile south-west from a hill called Kych- Ost | ins ¥ pine wi! idareess, somal from re hs sgsamraicest one _- ns axe- ™m wa ¥ March h, 1775, to cut a pitch pine toes of about tw feet diameter Agron was little if ni appearance of a mark—about six inches i in the tree, a cut or mark was discovered en, for tne §$ new as if the mark had been made within a year. In counting of the rings or streaks «rown over these marks, it amounted to one hundred and eighty-five, so that the cut was made in the a 1590, at lenet 17 peor before Hades discovery of this coun- + be It is well k tool fore their acquaintance a intercourse with the Europeans, and it is this circumstance that aes me in pr en —— of Ai for its mark at that Ae ae d. Proof of the number streaks grown over marks, has often in our been allowed é ascertain wage I have; therefore, been at some pains 0 dicover ¥ its certainty, and can, mong the va- mh | * g al rs ee | _ the year 1762, L p riety of tnanenaues the t 208 Mr: Butler's Discoiree: ; h f the township of Kinderhook. In the year 1772, I aay these pee and ordered pevere} of inds, invariably counted ten streake above . marks. [had al oo bene Hoye in 1768 to re-survey the bounds of a patent which appeared by he deputy ge $ raters to have been originally nid out ‘tor i patentee in Re pees 1738, To satis to ti het re shewn me as marked oa bis survey, L Bored: a beech tree). whereon the initial ‘ste of his name appeared : corner of one 1 found that the streaks ‘ive it count- ed exactly. thirty. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, ROBERT Lemeioas New-York, May 3, 1775. Mr. — Sd tes, oe the block was brought to the city of New-York and shown to him, an th med the discoverer of the curiosity, that — might have gotten t the ins from n Canada, which was — in 1536, 1540, ard 1542; 382, and. in 1585 exablished southy a colony at Roa Setacn ots orthward, and I doings with the Deed es handed oe north-west into their country, é aioe es rang Lopate age gentlemen : they were cert by an a point as to which, the aden Pa: Mr. Smith, at the preven day, will ary rs bs incredulous. But whatever may be thouzht of the be drawn from the discovery of the pes the particulars is ted by Mr. Yates, as to the regular growth of the pine and the probable age of the tree in ahae je if it had acquired but one fourth of its deans te } in 185 years it would been over 740 1 oid) are “sito and cabeeed the attention of te ee It is to t that tl the recent edition - Me. Smith’s history, will be followed in in every future _epablcnjon, I am sorry bliged to ‘eatin _—— by Mr. Smith to nd — work have been omitted. The con- : a publication and composition tion of the orig igi ral work, Yt 3: ik oe Oe Bae ee a: 1 1 4 + * 4%. 5 4 to those iia a ae, = = re ee ne y APRS. re me | 8 a in + to ah. ‘oO ot =: Se : 77 Bar t from es fk. 1 = he + | > kK et. VP BA Chace os wees oe ‘ mg . ts x < . oe . <7 ¥ a . t "Wiliam Sih th ork, was born in the city 0 7-York yon te Bh of Jan, F738 ‘His father was one of the most eminent ria 4 the province; became a memberof the council, and afterwards a judge of the vupreme court. The son was: educated at Yale — and bred to the pro- fession of the law, which h eat success in the city of ‘New-Y York. He is said to have been a an n eloquent speaker, and — are. poses sessed much ae learni t ance with theology ~ medicine, sed sean oe penerel. knowledge: He was appoint- eda stiles of the colonial counc s , Mae PS AG ~ £ 4] a fab a ae try. . Anxious, however, to remove the ane of compa then — as well merica, < as to aps the cgupeleuapeimass's of the British empire up ne f union for the minister, +g Grew eo tecture approved be him, i it w was as not brought forward apace os ee ork mee: country. seat at Haverstraw, ari be remai d until the 3d of ie’ ee (On that. day he was brought before the omnition pe safety, at Ripeney: states of / sBecila; contend “ ‘cra ‘did not vara himself discharged from his pa of bread to the British crown ;” upon which he was confined for a time in the manor of Livingston, and aft i : 1,500 In 1800, ; oo ; . 10,000 00 oo pried of 550 acres each, which appear, | 23,985 46 In an one Bosdotend inet fe Regie of ae By car were Coen ‘ fpf interest, ~ ‘ raised by lotte ries, the _ whole of which -_ not os — — the — of the a ear 1835, . - 200,000 00 eae to Hamilton College. [Incorporated in 1812}— In 18 —— were transferred to t ~ college, to the ‘amount of (950,000 00 In sit 4, $40,000, with interest, to be raised by lotteries, the whole of which will not probably be received watil the end of the year 1835, Pecsecnse 00 $90,000 00 00 Sete ici f th city of I New-York. camamnnes “By: ok 0, semoent raion’, Keats beseieed, b Meeheinens anaes | | Bra i ler in 1! é : $62,600 00 £71,100 00 00 In1 1803, chovtpubes were were transistred (6 this ueGintinn to hoamcentet eee Before granted to the Fairfield seein for — — po, ; ‘ 5,000 00 In 1820, $1000 annually for ive years, ns < ; . 5,000 00 $20,000 00 anne al - a * 1 3 Moneys dist @ the ; y the Regents of . the University, from the literature fund— From 1790 to 1825, in the aggregate (including the sum of = act tributed in 1790, in part to Columbia Colle ese ») eon oe 1825, ball ° . 7 5,000 1896, ~ . . 2 . 7 6,000 pe 1087, * : : ~ % : . 6,000 00 1828, .- -— . 6 . x ° 7,080 61 7g e . °” . nae . . 10,000 0 214 Mr, Butler?s Discourse. Washington Academ . oe to rebuild the pecesiden &c. 3,000 00 i. Albany Female Aeatens: $22, 1,000 09 es Acad tm 1,000 00 Mount Pleasant NE ie 1824, a mortgage for $1000 and inte 1,000 00 _ Lowville Academy. “ 1824, 3,000 00 Red Hook Academy, 1824, 1,000 00 - Auburn Academy. | 2 ~ S ~ | Sah 216 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. Second District. | Students. |Clas.Students| At. of money Delaware, i Ses ° 35 25 205 57 Dutchess county, ei ae : 125 | 38 | Kingston oe a | ae 15 123 34 ‘ 1 Albany "Female Seminary, : : 130 | 40 115 50 Albany Female Aca — pen ae 226 2. oe 360 68 Gree a é 7 12 | 34 64 Ret Aerts ek ane 45 45 129 93 ciedohk 2 “tary on i ; 64 69 199 25 Lansingburgh, SoS ees Ske -Canajoharie, 64 Cam) Shideo, Washiogton, 53 Johnston . . 33 Jo nstown ; Z : . ; 69 Platts 4 — 17 55 > 2 sale > . . « 4 B3ssxosa he x St. Lawrence, . sce ; Wethingion. (Salem,) . : ° Et A z 7 =e ae E a 1 S eae District. Sees SRD HPP “ Faire, : . : Hamilto Low ile.” ; - Oneida Institu 93:16 Oo 19 Ny al eee ‘Bsases' ShISTIRSE | a ‘fae 7 [we E S x iy | 5 eee ~ S ‘seeeegs SESLSES gy ay BER a bee i Oo a S eS Si Cad s Notes. 217 Students Class, Students. ) Amt. Money. 43 14 02 34 Onondaga, . ‘ ‘ «Sets vid, : ; Racers Female ‘Seminatys See 72 Pompey, ae 30 Yates co. Acad. and Female Seminary,| 76 Sulece High School, eg 100 Middlebury, ES Aa Oe em rat a es Rochester High School, ees 360 enc ¥oukd’ at he rartinie' of the years 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, and 1825, and from that year to 1830, abstracted from sr reports made to, the legislature during those 2700. [Population 4 the ~~ Eee eee Number - colleges, : 1 Academi : : . ; 2 _ Num ber of ‘students i in the “college, about : : ‘ «. 5 ° - 150 1800. Population 696,060, pues itis ° . - Pi ‘ . : ae 2 Aca dem . iad -£ . . 19 Students i in ’ the co 220 Whole number ber oF stedecis in the — of whom only a small proportion were classical students 344 1810. [Population 960,040 : . ° ° : . 2 Medieal college, : : . ‘ : : ’ 1 Academ : : : ae Bradente’ in : the colleges about ‘ . 220 m the Medical College .) oma number of Spitters in nia cademies, of whom 518 are re- orted as porsene eee studies or the gece gee of Englis sh education, . 1495 a Co em on 137081 2) cone ct _— i ng the od apm and Surgeons in the ; q eatorn Disttiet,). cars sraneuiet in the colle ges, ; : : . 472 Students in the medical colleges, SEN 0 ¢ eee | of whom 636 received classical inst ht ies a ae 1825. the 9 1616458 7 ’ Medical mat a allges = bs a Students i in. 5 Sere A in the medical 31 a int the academies, z prin 675 were : classical aol: fc. 2475 218 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. 1826. 4 Colleges, Medical col A P 2 Academies (no returns from several) ‘ é oe udents in the several colleges, ° : : : ° “in the medical colleges, 288 “ in the academies, of whom 662 were ‘classical students, &e. 2446 1827. Colleges : , See Medical colleges, ‘ ; . ~ Academies, from which returns were received, ; oo Students in the colleges, ‘ s . 537 $i Khe medical colle eges, . 24 “ in the academies, of whom 709 were classical students, &c. 2440 1828. mae he . : . . ° ’ ° 4 Medical co 2 yore cro Oe Lwhigh having been incorporated by ~ legisla : ture, subjected themselves to the visitation of the re lui ing this y , for the purpose of partici jeiecting fn the distribu- tion of | increased income of the literature fund) . : i a Students in the report . 290 SS ag Ag rom Geneva ‘and Hamilton ‘colleges -) medical colleges, 278 ‘in the Gradetaies, of whom 1240 were classical students, hc. 3050 es 1829, oe colleges : : : . $ : 2 em, emnenes ch in the colleges, including 97 in the grammar school at- tached to Columbia college, ‘ 381 rt from. Geneva college ) : 4“ in the medical calles Sas _ ‘in the academies, at anit 16321 were classical students, &c. 3424 1830. [Population about ae — Colleges, ; 4 Medical colleges, * " : 2 276 1106 Wk? 1. y Zt f 3 ‘4 : ah Jj pies ; 373 5 = For the purpose of exhibiting the nature of the studies purtoed by those who are ature or the higher branches of Eng- lish education, and with the view also of ti which ‘Appear to: © prevail on this eg 4 I porns the ordinance passed by the _ Regents on with which is faithfully en- | forced by that bedy. @ “The Regents of the Univesity desirous to establish a more elevated course of instruction ter cer- Ee a nt — branches of study shiek shall entitle the satiate in which they are pu distri ive share of the income of the literature fund, do ordain Notes. 219 The distribution of the income of said fund shall be made to each of said acade- mies, in proportion to its number of scholars in the classi ae = cea higher branches of a ES education, or both, under the ollow wring res No stu: } ith in cwtaining’ct is cotionaica, wat ag hic arngets 8 s spamisel elsewhere, $0 much | of the ote an TT LR 5 y prose authors in Latin, as is equal If of E one third of ‘Vi riRome, aad two books of Casar’s Commentaries ; in additi e first book of the neid of ee 2. No students, in any such academy, shall be considered scholars in the higher branches of English ae within the meaning of this ordinance, .until they shall, on examination duly made, be found to have attained to such proficiency it in sh tary ti f arithmeti monly called notation, addition, subtrac- pti uneteain and division, as gone in their compoun und as in their simple forms, and as well in yulgar and decimal fractions as in whole numbers, together with such knowledge gh: a — of arithmetic commonly called reduction, prac- tice, t y medium or average grade of common schools in this state ; and enti! ‘they shall al- such examination, be found to have studied so soc of English grammar as to be able to parse correctly any common sett sentence in the English language, ne ee good English the common exam ° , i r like matica and shall also have studied, Ge Sindy ia) ties some book or treatise in geography, equal in extent to the du- ematals edition of Morse’s, Cumming’s, Woodbridge’s or Willett’s geography, as now in ordinary use. 3. No such classical students shall entitle the institution to which they belong to any share of the income of said fund, unless it shall appear from the annual report of such institution, that they have pursued therein, for the space of four months or clared to be preliminary to Virgil, together with the first book of the Zneid of Vir- gil, or other studies in the — (either in Latin or Greek) usually pursued sub- to Eneid ; or shall, for a part of said period, have so pursued the mid studies, or some of them, (incling the sid frst book of te neid and for the residue of said pik shall have pursued the higher branches of r English education, after they } +h } } } f Fnoelish ed ti on, shall! entitle the institution to which they hae to any share of said fund, unless it shall appear from the annual report of said institution, that they, after becoming such scholars, have pursued therein said higher branches of education, or some of them, for the + a a 5 All students belonging to any academy, Eek erat gue oorre scholars, 0 : Baie Se or scno 3 - -. Pe 4 Pir Stel . PPS — >? ’ . a - Besides the academies subject to the visitation of the Regents of the University, there are several academies, high schools, female le seminaries, and other select schools, in various parts of the state, in many of which the higher branches of Eng- ev oF 220 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. NOTE 7. The present state of the Common school fund may be seen by the fol rape ta- ble, extracted from the last annual report of the secretary of state, as superinte of schools. This fund consists of the following items : : Estimated reve- Capaak nue for 1830. Roos for school fund lands, - - $216,132 20 - $24,000 for loan rie oe - - 1,500 00 - ore of 1786, - - - 20,665 00; 1,400 00 “ 0f1792, z : ‘ : 317,860 17 - —‘19,000 00 * of 1808, 3 2 s : 411,352 82. - 27,000 00 Money in the ape - - - 45,091 72 - 1,800 00 Clerks’ fees, . - - - 200 00 for ee lands . - 22,653 33.—i; 1,600 60 Canal stock, 5 per - : 395,826 00 - 19,891 00 Bank _—_ Merchants Bank, - - 180,000 00—- 11,500 00 - - 50,000 00—- 3,500 00 shes Middle District do = . 50,000 000 + | ae $1,711,081 24 $109,981 00 Revenue received in 1829, - - - - . $94,626 25 The following statement Hehe veer os amount a moneys distributed from time to time, among the schools s state 1796, from state tre SRT - $50,000 Half that sum raised j in the counties by 7 25,000 ce $75,000 1797, the like sums, ° - . . 75,000 1800, for the year 1796, the like sums, - . - - 75,000 The act of 1795 cont npl ted the distribution of $50,000 from the state treasury, quence ofa =e Soest of funds, nl three pee were made fi ually, for five years; ; but i in conse- rom the treasury, and the last of them not ot until 1 5. Dis % frons choo! “Equal amount raised by ta, : 2 000 ——— $100,000 00 1316. Distributed from the school fund, —-- ~ $60,000 Equal amount raised by tax, - ‘ —— 120,000 00 1817. The likesums, - s : P i s 120,000 00 MT See wes et 120,000 00 1820, nad dina ores acklicbis, : - - $70,000 00 Raised by the towns, = - . ao as SREB Ceers pe tat 32 | | ——— 146,418 06 1822 Distributed from school fund, - 2 : __. Raised by the towns, a 80,000 160,000 00 S : : ,000 . = 5: fing Notes. 291 1823. From school fund, raised by towns essed local funds, ; 1824. do do 182,741 81 1825. do do a 182,790 09 1826, do do do 185,720 46 1827, do do do 222,995 77 1828, do do do 232,343 21 1829, do do do 214,840 14 2,461,089 41 Distributed under law of 1795, (as above) - : 225,000 $2,689,089 41 This statement, though — correct, does not include all the moneys roo distributed among the schools. sl, bg far as the : J imperfect. Comparative view of th Ret fC Schools, fi 1815 to 1829, inclusive.* Be |e: | gz |aee | es | g2te =} 3 = = a 2 = Bo — & oS Se os a ® 4 6.29 7 ey << te "3 8 ry ce = 3's i) a” S&S rs) S om = — So | = 2 0 Ox = we 2 Fes ood = 4 = = p R 553 == S So S g 4 See S2ts gef | sas | cee | $22 | 3822 | sEb¥e ee 2a: —_—_~ ao nm ° -F- e4 s23 | FEE | 255 cis; e255 | £83 & A 2 Zz z 1816 338 | . 2755 2631 140,106 176,449 1818 374 3264 8, 819 402 4614 210,316 235,871 820 515 aaa se 271,877 2,703 1821 545 332 5 317,633 1822 611 6659 5882 332,979 1258 1823 649 7051 6255 351,173 357,029 mee Se | ge | as | ae 18 2, 500 1826 | 700 yb = pean Eemibe 3 5 i 425,586 395,586 1827 721 $114 7500 431,601 411,256 1828 742 8298 7806 441,856 419,216 1829 7o7 8609 8164 468 449,113 773 8872 8292 480,041 468,257 * birips 7 being made to the legislature at the beginning of the year, em- a and the returns of 1829 embrace the num- ber of children over five and under sixteen. Local School —— as stated in the annual report of the superintendent of com- mon schools, for anuary 1830 : The fi cy fthe p pa ti f this nature, ' viz : rs crren fal ilitary tract. Bony of 250 ers en aan wet Ge Unadilla river, One tot of aan acres, in bare “3 _ townships of F ayette, cation, G Greene, Woar- , Chenango, | oc ee = be oma lng th St, Lawrence. 222 Mr, Butler’s Discourse. Income of the local school funds, as received by the towns situated in the fol- lowing counties, during the rin 1829 : Broome, ; ; : $ 231 61 Cayuga 3 : s - 1,889 99 Chenango, - cs 5 . - 1,031 43 © Cortland, a ES ison, . - paid Onondaga, ° . : . oo Otsego, is 5 " ° 89 87 Queens, = " - ie = Seneca, ‘ ‘ - 2,001 41 St. Lawrence, - * “i 198 Tompkins, - ~ ud rm +186 48 Wayne, : : ns : —T ‘gil sie ee local fi ince 1822, Cong — — to $12,000 per annum) is included in the sae statement, I have stating the income of these funds prior to 1822. The Lewiston school fund, created in 1810, is not included in the above enu- meration. Until 1826, this fund was under the care of the comptroller, but its an- nual i was paid over by him for the support of schools in the village of Lew- iston. It is now under the care ' eee _8ppointed by > eyrernce and senate. The capital of this fund in 1826, amounted to about $5,000, besides yetunsold. Whilst it was under “ care of the ephiee re poh 87 com time to time paid over, from its income, which now amounts to more than $300 annum, i) ig SS ay ee 1? | 4 4 ag 2: t ADAN nAn ~ x : . NOTE 8 ee ec eoely In ik ities of New-York and Albany, are worthy of pusticelar Tae charity schol ede the benefit of the children of poor persons connected with their Bu fo ners time dine: so that, i in Lene the ‘tociety had under its care six separate schools. In 7m the c ized anew, under the name of “ The Public ciety of New “York.” A radical change was also made in the agp ges “$ pe schools—that 3 is to Lor —the _ society v was required to beeen bee ans + ichaneton ed for, whether such children be or be not the proper objects “ad = ratuitoai am tion, and without regard to the religious sect of their parents ; and whilst the cor- poration was required to receive and educa cate without charge every y child whose Som ie lh 4, Sompeneation fot those able to ype (Laws of 1826, a The ue under its care, in 11 different buildings, 21 ek, all of which gue emote “k receives a large portion of he: cosnenc school tith mi ne half of th t city for licenses'to _Yenders of lottery tickets, from which source it one eee the year 1829, $400. ‘The whole number number of children on the registers of these cited Notes. 223 1830, was 6,178. The elemen ntary branches of English education are taught in all the schools, and those pupils who remain long enough, and are sufficiently advan- ced, are insténehed-in in geography, grammar, &c. The schools are well supplied with maps and globes, and to each there is attached a suitable library for the use of the older scholars. But a small proportion of the scholars are paid for; the whole amount received during the last year oe the — of pay scholars, be- Bie Dah a ote sw Eeeamad of the society are about $22,000, rm. J al. f. 1 der the care of f differen t reli igious and be- f which participat in the moneys distributed from the common school fund ; but Ih t ient i ti ithin my reach to stat with accuracy either their number or condition. a increasing population of the c of New-York, and the peculiar character of a large portion of that sitesi: pleases that place a demand for ais education beyond = seagate ti of other part rts of the state 5 3 andthe | le- gislature have therefore, by vario school and other cauares acon The following is believed to be a correct statement ~ — > app propria Pri d to New-York, under the law of 1795, and raised in a city under that law, were e distributed among the free schools belong- ing to the several religious congregati After the establishment of the POD nachos! society in 1805, the following sums wore Soars tS — out of the. excise duties received me Secret hee wae In 1807, . . . . 1810, > ‘ : 5 ; ‘ ‘ 2 $ 5 ‘ on . . . * . : 2,000 From 1307 to 1811, annuity of $1000, : : : 4,000 00 From 1811 to 1830, annuity of $1500, ; ; ; : 28,500 00 In 1827, one half of the moneys received for licenses to venders of lottery ti from that year to the present time, say Granted by legislature from the city funds, f : . ¥ $58,500 00 From the state ‘treasury. In 1806, to rr ee 2 the Romar §- sin}? ng eati ; : 1,565 73 In agen rear x I i, } Pe eke 41. =i Pk ae fal. rench emigrants, . ‘ 1,000 ‘ics wes re 1824, . . . ° 7,000 8,000 00 Bee to the African free school, eae or é i 1,500 00 ‘In 1811 1811, to the oy yf Ey : rid foL ith Isr l, ~» 2,565 78 to the orphan asylum, $500 annually to 1850, - 7 10,000 00 se Sat eon peel soneeng, _» -» 5,000 00 $27,631 56 Sian ciel te whe cf be mes coe meg sd a of until 1830 5 scary ‘On the 17th of April, ct was passed, athorizi g the establish prope rc = 4 1 a | a i yr che ren divided 3 ogee raised in th ved. In addition to this grant, Lo ee fro Ba corpo funds, syPoprited ure tan $2000 ne ee 224 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. building. This school has ever been one of rs most — and useful in the state—its oe — . A. T. Dale, having been ins’ d by Mr. Lancaster himself, and being moreover eminently quelled for the Soa: of teaching. It hes educated, ether wholly ‘or in “part, si ace _— more than 7,000 children, of ts present average attendance is about 300. In 1828 the trustees of the oa Academy, on the tig Pat of _ trustees of the Lancaster tuitously, in the higher b tudy p d in their instituti ; of pupils to be selected the L t ‘School by it its trustees. cian selections were li gly Je fi th ho} th lL. and several of ithe ‘pupile thus se- , are now | ees « their studies inthe Aendew > su diligence and success, that at the s uary an y 1830, they were holars in the institution. — srs delivered before the Alumni of Columbia College, i in 1826, by Wim Barp 5 a a L 1 - a er oe oe 2 Sapa ee rai 3 ah ‘ | bd Y as - to an higher seminaries, were suet enforced. The result of tho experiment above mentioned, is well calculated to demonstrate the practicability and import- ance of the. plan suggested by Mr. Bard. Is in Hudson, oe. Utica and eT onditi It is alo proper to — tha t th tuit 5 } chools. is aii for , Pr by the general school Taw tie trustees of the districts sponse authorized to exempt t ” wages. LJ The foll ted t © the institutions for the instruc- tion of deaf and dumb in the city of once and at pe eesna aioe: Bi to the former. They may properly be enumerated among the s education. In 1819, = - : : : = ee 00 1821, : 5 = = i : : 2, 1822, : é ‘ . . . . 1,231 27 1823, - ° . 3 = ‘ . 4,835 02 1824, - . - - - 02 1826, 2 - . - : - - - - —-5,833 82 1897, = 2 i a ms = i 5,829 39 Becca, : Re oe a ee ee a ee ee 1927, hf ..f 4k Jj W, ork for li- $50,527 03 cess to venders of ater Wicket that yar 0 the pre ma sent, say = . fal f New-Yor for the promotion of ‘education: uae not Peay within’ the scope of this bole, wilt “ form an pie priate conclusion to the matters embraced in this and the three preceding notes. Appropriations i in ee of Literature, Science and the Arts. Money distributed as stated in summary, at end of Note 5, . Capital of lite cenatie tah, as stated in Note Ss 256,002 ov Abie —— Appropriations Sag ope schools. Moneys distributed as stated in Note . 2,689,089 41 pital of school nest (ses Note ; ») ; ‘ 1,711,081. 21. Distributed from Lewiston school Deve hi Note 7,) prior to siete 1,579 87 -35ci ete Income since, pro shably ‘ 1 00 See Capital of that and we local schoal Sande; ° 300,000 00 | Granted for free schools, &c. From funds of city of anomie New-York, ‘ ; 58,500 00 From se of di of ei 9,000 00 From sta asury for free schools in New-York, 32,631 00 From — ay for deaf and dum 27 03 Total amount granted by the legislature o! New-York, Sonthess: promotion of education, exclusive of interest on the moneys sua wa giantaied J, and to be raised b, by lotteries, which interest may be paige. This ee grants made by the several cities; ae hich (New bh me avons: have bestowed oe cums. in aid of education, The A Albany was erected by the city, out ropriations and soos have been made sensba i of = its —— funds, at an expense of $91,80 | nes these a .% f th , from the close of the rev ge Pt 3 4. 4 LL tion an ip until _ = oe 1805, were at a low ebb ; and that si yin we have expended im ums in constructing roads, bridges, mien nd other internal ieprorementy—in 1 erection of public. buildings penitentiaries, and for- in defending the sta te rom BATARROD, | ands ining t the national _ cause pa the hak war ab ti in defraying the ordinary expenses of the renege srg and legisla’ partments, and of the militia—it will probably an espe ment of New-York, for the diffusion of usefu Ige among « eng rea wdc years, are at least fu fully : se ar gees t, ¢ period, by elie satis ee 226 Mr. Butler’s Discourse, $ STATE; and the legislature are aa roth to prevent the sale of all lottery ant ee this state, except in lott ready provided for by law”’—its superiority to the former could hardly be denied ra any sound states- man ormoralist. In consequence of the necessary exception above mentioned, this prohibition has not yet conferred so much benefit on our own people as on our brethren in other states, some of whom have been able to imitate, at once, the ex- » ample set them. I — been the rather induced to notice this topic, in this place, com having just seen an article copied into our own papers from a recent number of the a Christian osm er, in which the editors of that valuable journal ex- press their surprise that, ‘¢ so long after the excellent example of England, the American alunite = not abolished lotteries.” So far as New-York 3 is con- cerned, we are considerably in mecca of England. The British poles did not atandon the system of raising moneys by see until 1824 ; the amended constitution of the state of New-York was ia ialaaed te 1821, NOTE 9. “The feference in the text, is to the common school manual, ek cauieg by Mr. M.R. Bartlett, formerly an instructor in a Utica. The several pe tions and recom- 3 DY PF ppo 1, together with a remonstrance fro the teache h ‘ in the city of New-York, by the assembly to the sanding committee of that house on colleges, academies and common schools. Fortunately for the state, that commmittee was composed of members, who felt the ow wig of the subject, and they therefore gave to it a most careful consideratio my stntiliin on this subject had been writ- ten, but before they were sauniie re on the 19th of April, 1830) this committee presented a report, in which, after: a candid eniantion of the vyenves © proposed, they came to the conclusion, t ioners ed. This report (which was from the ae of Lumen . Braise, Eq. chairman of the committee, ) iomny maaey ledge, b =a J sei aeRaee f= J re Bes VN est aL Ss . eh " 7 fak t » 2 as = it oe J Fm I Uile is there- tunity of reading i The intrinsic im mportance of the oe and the ability with whic it i is treated i in this valuable document, will, I am sure, commend it to the After some ONT rvations on the great importance of prpreerage Se sn fe none oore ede narra rights common to all—especially is justly wbssrved, should be the freest of all re- an Itis admitted by ll, that th t Itinlicit q r lement r 1 L used in our common s schools ,and t sone th “want of 4 aie eee struction in those fnstttations, isa great evil : That this not only increases the difi- culties of teaching, but also retards the progress of learning. It is to remedy this alledged and acknowledged evil, that Mr. Bartlett offers his ** Common School Manual, "and shige: once the other petitioners in this case ask this extri ord - Ing sai 4 i 5 : Ist. At what expense to the people of Cs sate hs prpated BOO be - tained? ‘SE es. uke a ee oe . mi; oe ee, Te by - Admitting the good ne to be pe to its cost, whether itbe either wise or just to legislate in the manner desired in this case : of a law asked for i in this case, would involve in the outset, a ; folla Notes. 207 duction of thie work would be what we must not only suppose, but intend i t to be in me oner © sans bi in pies even to this extcat = ats encouragement, that the ery other now f the te achers and ears im } 7 Rs state, of an amount equal to the value of the books now in use, and which would Re thus rendered ails ilies alueless, by the entire substitution of the w tegh be be extpanir at least, at at 000, Add 6. this the ecost of the se WER, sub. lars, And Te to all this we add 40,00 00 d ollars . the amount for one year only of the tax of two cents per gallon on all distilled orate manufactured or sold in the state, we shall have the 1 large sum of 440,000 dollars, to be paid by the people of — state, for the good thus offered, and in some degree forced upon them by legislat neither questionable in its character, nor doubtful in its magnitude. This leads to the — bette ili 2..T. d reat care, the work in — as far as it is as yet published, and has been cikeia’ tedtothem. They have also had the ad- ted vantage of repeat personal interviews ‘ebkerh ae compiler, ang have preneren from him minute and p | work; but they have been unable to discover in it that peculi it ied eenithcaliial only could justify them i ling the passage of the law asked for, or the in- troduction of the work i I h th that which the passage of such a law would tarolve On the contrary, they feel themselves constrained by imme eee ste is house, and to to. thee. .progiin.of this state, to say, that the _ defects—defects not merely = oe but of principle. Your committee are aware ich Jin expressing this opinion of this work, they encounter = pai Sap ‘strong commendations in its favor, and array themselves in opposition to the authority of high and respectable names, But they know the facility ae er even respe astatie recommendations are often obtained ; and feel bound, in charity, even to believe that those in iy thie. cone, £3 ie stated. in sonst of thet, ond sednameeeebt.in pe otherwise, your committee, while they apekaa all proper deference eo those re respectable in ta who have thus praes the sanction of their names to this work ; and yield to their opinions in this all om authority t to which, wader the . CIUNMRNCES, hey may. ms extsted, they ful Sechelt SRO che Is. Te. ith t am cation, Saline, elocution, arithme etic, 2 ration, mechanical powers, book-kee > di ese law, oo and se veral other sl matters. fewill be poe perceived, that the range of this ita is no less extensive sarang plan om sl 4 Pan OE 25 sa tl ds From a ca _examina tion of the work, the committce do not think that in its degrees of capacity. Your eommitt raaglat fe fe 228 Mr. Butler’s. Discourse. Ete Sr none T t but think that t} th ‘same page, or in he's on led ‘of the work, lessons 3 upon a great variet y of subjects wold in practic €, be found, to say the Jeast, exceedingly inconvenient. It co pels tl ae ive look thr rough sev eral ‘volumes: for the whole: of any sieeie’ of i use, but would lead to serious sehiieliats: It destroys that ae f arrange- ment necessary to distinctness of impression, so desirable and so useful in every sys- tem of education. The want of these would lead nese to peer ta and could not fail to retard instead of accelerating the schola a ae Your committee do not doubt that, Rast ube direction of a sisi ed and jlo teacher, the studies of the scholars may be ee agreeably but usefully divers fied. That va variety may not only relieve ‘the m monotony and tedio ousness of exclusive wgvents ae ee promote that elasticity of intellect which is fay r- able to the scholar’s general bce ess ; ‘but such variety should be admitted w caution and judgme Your commi suring stack mide varus to anes ‘Ygoder risa eries or patent modes 0 of i tontracdin eet literature a dozen | science essons ; or profess to bring the ‘ohalage megeaistec the: whole circle of human knowledge almost + without effort. They neither Aa ‘ Prete e le 5 ee system of pronunc ters by a different combination of letters, instead of conventional marks or fig leads to confusion, and is, therefore, highly objectionable. This effect might not be produce din the: mind ‘of ae echo sheedy: con —s advanced, but in that of I mittee say noth- e com ~_—< the compiler" 3 manner rof spelling or pronouncing particular te in nial 5 not seem t 0 follow — one known standard or acknowledged authority ; | uniformly consi + with bienealf; They: also forbear't 0 notice | i 7m : head J vs bait. para : — » Bias, — N ere ca ga * 4e : a Pet eS SB See ee ee Lh ne, Lew tee Tes “4 Se aE Ur atten, . ay} les joel ras ate ‘ BA nt of this ; WOH your committee are of opinion, that i compiler ins: been but. very little more successful. He has not t been judicious i the selection of bis lessons in this part of his work. Many pecially : rly ones, we aaereagenn sd barat Tn aimii es The committee cannot forbear here to ag | which th in this part of his work, frequently dra mieaeelt, without citer indicating or in any way — credit to. the ‘sithon from whom he thus borrows. They n with stil! ger disapprobati on, the chan ts arta made fa many Bcaiits ul and flier far iar passages ofthe most ar toe Gaither into's tingte criticise of this work, Tha €; that seecniehines on grammar, rhetoric, arithmetic , contains, have appeared to them pig 8 - often clearness and p sable toevery school book. Th mitt t rk, the merit of economy, which is cleim- ed for it. They feel confident that its u ly verify the correctness of their opinion upon this p 3. The set Tee feb to the third inguiry erent Admitting the work in question to have none of the defects suggested, and that it possesses all the peculiar and superior merit its compiler and its friends claim for it, still the bene could recommend the passage of the law asked for. If the work have the merit pre- jended, = make ita wa, ay into general use without the sid of any legislative act for that purpose ; if it ould it be wr force it aie general use by any such AMES act. But ev tn eappoeing- it to have the merit claimed for it—that it is decidedly superior to any other work, of the kind —still the committee are of Id t to the exclusion of all others : For even although this may now be superior to any other work extant, yet, in ius age of improvement, who would by law limit the point of perfection? Who would deny to us, upon this great interest of our state nd country, the lights of ime and the benefits of experience; or who csi as to predict that cial, if left free and unproscribed upon this ie may n i b di < oe, One oe | te, Te Mein oe ao eR YA tim Bat yer Fre PO Ot on ee ked Bes as unjust as it would be impolitic. It would lead sebetescionn to the sacttoe of ot ae lariat melcmuchned oi legretbe ened Solenghi IS pro- scribed, an dered value ey These interests $ are often coe ocbyines al dustry and iborions retady, © 0 tire oi eS 2 ah Raid ta eB titled to the equal protection of government. It has been well oe ae by the seat ntendent of common schools, in his late able annual report to this house, “* the greate t experience, and much of the best talent of the ‘ait: are en- anita constantly giv ing them new =e to the sepei oft the public.” 3 _ The interests of these numerous, s+. oe Were * pecs, Sacrifices of ainda interest indesd, even to effect objects of de as rarely as possible, and even then with extreme caution ; but never to RR individual benefit. The commit- tee hav e been unable to perceive, e, either in the petition in this case, or in the work to which it relates, any good | or cufficient re eason for the sacrifices, both pu bli¢ and vate, whl P e = Bu tit has been repeater 8 stated, ot “ the ee ota work was the suggestion of trent governor Clinton ; ” and, ¢ ** so far as it had progressed up to the time of ~S wMubss\ tes 5S distinguished individ The letter bears Jos Spanaeee 1827, and is as follows: ‘* Having no authority to direct the Reg te of a common school manual, I e never officially made any communication to Mr. Bartlett of Utica on that 7 oa but if I recollect ee I think ry on ak signifying his intention to wis. 230 Mr. Butler’s Discourse. euch a work, : expeceies my wish thst ste wo sass its and ss I should 7 ag ably h has done, particularly i in an introduction to astronomy. “Mr. B. pace: me s last winter, but having only time to glance at it, I gave a recommendation in its favor Sack by this rapid » and general vi iow 5 ; and i in 90 doi ing Thad no in- ' ~ publica ations of me From et extract it = Be seen, that » far from the plan of this hikaie being sug- geste vendo » he merely expressed a wish when that plan was submitted to him by =e Bartlett, aah it ‘ace be e coneedl etie d of Sie es peice er, that this work was to be adopted by the state o the exclus on of all o rs, he expre — says, oo in any recommendation v fo] wv a a " al. re L 1 OE ee ee tL? wh eth- atk cvery ¥ er they consider the character of the work in question ; Beer nature and importance of the principles involved in this application; or the extent and magnitude of the interests, both public and oi steht to be affected by sis acciaiee: the committee unanimously of opinion vi it would be as impolitic as it would be unjust to legis- late in the manner ears in this case. Peco therefore submit for the considera- tion of the — the <-psaed resolution ved, S © granted. * It will be pocorn Say committ to the execution of the work ——— by Mr. Bartlett—a polis to ued avoided makin ing any 8 alla sion, because u had not given the books such an examina- tion as would he well ee accu- racy and the enlightened judgment of the writer of the report, may however be re- lied 1 upon with entire safety ; ane ee! 0, it would seem-—independen ad of objection " a Here then we have another jnstance—(the injudicious sontaicadaiiiaa of Mr. Macauley’s hog tate 6 already been alluded to)—of the injurious : resulting from that amiable facility which so often induces our distinguished lend Ger’ senies to cae secant _ a sae If the decision of this interesting mes, the books mete Mr. Bartlett, with ail n ace ag schools, p> eee. ho tf. er 1) 1 Ll sty afr, he ater of this address the Insitute passed a resolution declaring that they d ment ofa journal of education, of gr great i importance ; and they appoi a commit- tee “to consider of and di igest a plan for conducting the same, together with esti- mates of the expense, &c.” 1, will soon be submitted to the consideration ‘of our citizens, and if sufficient age shall Leg ee a eee NOTE 11. | es _ "The whole number of persons on whom the degree of A. $e iterred by . SS as appears from the catalogue, was was actually but one The following: See * hd ° wonowsh 19K: atin eee SS Ar, ae ae EO ee VIG i neeecu ISG ath ec AR IW Cn Se eee ee Teeee, Ce is rag ne ike i a Wes occ ee SUM i ease Selene 1773, ane Z EE ee . 2 100 . ae. oO The gen neral pauci ty o f the annual classe umbers, are indicative not only of the ghee of the igac sig but of a ate indif- pe to the advanta alte of perce Eanes serve B to present, in still —a the facts stated in the te among the hundr A Sisnee ] Prorat Samuel pe aly and Benjamin ion who were ‘afterwards bishops of the Ammerjcen Protestant Episcopal church ; Isaac ilkins, much ; Ri- —— Ben Rete rVan Schaack, Egbert Benson and Robert Troup, eminent at the many other able and enlightened | men. Alexander Hamilton commence a collegiate course in this instituti iod to which I have re but before Sho sceeceeectons oi aes was broken up by the com of hostilities. Ihave not included this great man Pi ty Sa ote King’s college—though our state is not only exclusively entit the nation, ‘or rather fo the whole western ae: snd because Iam unwil ling, te may justly be Prat J fal ‘ me 3° ur os ss dep side NOTE 12. Prior to 1815, th ture of New-York, which ! celebri- ty, consisted ee t cls, of the veracious pans of DerprRicH K BOCKER, and the two volumes ing the numbers of Satmacunpi. The suc- cess of these lively and elegant ‘performances, seems not only es have decided the seat in which they lived. Their devotion to letters has ever since continued ; for veral years they the only natives of our state who possessed ei | on for such pursuits ; and now, afte shale se: th d at the head of their respective departments—a superiority which is the just ust reward of brilliant talent, ee ee labours. How many have imitated their example, or been inspired by their suc- it isi ible to calculate ; y to see, that the lows ofthe pro- ductions would sadly dimainish ¢ our — wealth. NDI, only one eS Irving) poe h disti ther side of the Atl ; though P: Sea tne hmcar end sarin cea of Swift, with the grace at seo a of mith; and though the productions of Verplanck might well be placed on the Paley. same shelf with those of Johnson and Since = the number of our native writers has greatly increased, as pear | enumeration 0 he most conspicuous, which, : pre- sume, vif uaacoaiaiche to justify the statement in the text—Drs. Bard, Ho- sack, Mitchell, T. R. Beck, J. B. Beck, L. C. Beck, Moit, Torrey, Francis, Van Rensselaer, and Griscom; Professors Renwick, Eaton and Anderson; Surveyor- General De Witt; Washington Irving, J. M. Mason, J. B. Romeyn, J. H. Hobart, J. Kent, E. Livingston, (now of — C. Verplank, De Witt Clinton, J. | ee . aed Mr. Butler’s Discourse. Paulding, J. F. Cooper, C. D. Coldén, W. A. Duer, J. T. Irving ; Professors M’Vickar, A _— and gens oore ; R. C. Sands, i Brooks, W. ai and P, M. Wetmore, &c. My estimate of the e of newspapers, in a country like ours, has been nc in ‘tbe Discourse ; it ae me therefore be ones a singular if [ add to this list, two native writers of aatin tinguished ability in this important depart- ment—the Editors of the New-York American and of the Albany Argus. It is proper to remark, that some of the persons I have ripeee es = co mmenced with the mentioned, but few of them were much known out of our own ety ; and that the a ; : ductions, that to have included them in a list of authors, would i have oe ed like an so eke out the catalogue. Some names have also been omitted, in consequence of a want of knowledge, on the part of the aie: as to the place of their nitiied ERRATA. Page 186, os 15, for ** the languages,” read * the modern languages.” Page 197, line 4from bottom of page, for ‘* attack,” read * attacks.” Page 199, srk nice bottom of page, after “ estimate,” insert ‘ of.” Graphite of sapiens 233 Aur. XX1. Notice Re: oF Gravure of f Tiemieroge ‘By . Curnton. "Reed Febery 14, 1827. h graphite, — mbago, or common blacklead, is very gen- Fus ag yet it on exists of the requisite purity for em-. ployment i in 1 the arts, in sufficient quantity to compensate the en- erprising for the expense incurred in preparing it for market. A single locality in England, has long supplied the greatest part of Europe and of our own country, and it is now an object of some importance, to ascertain whether’a sufficiency of this article can be afforded by our own mountains, to obviate the necessity of re- sorting for it to foreign climes. _ Reports of its existence in some of the southern states, have reached us. Schoolcraft, in his ** View of the lead mines of ogee says, that there is much plumbago in Lanne =? in aes 2 it has. been discovered i in EE ee ee Pat Caw county, , i tis, a ea profit to a few of our citizens, and such is the position of this local- ity, that from it we must expect our principal supplies, in case that war or some other cause, should prevent the admission of the fo- _ reign article. As nothing respectin ig it has, to my knowledge, ~ been given to the public, save a short notice in ‘the sixth volume. of Silliman’s Journal, by Professor Hall, I hope that the following = ghee gollected. daring. & a short visit in Lee, may be interesting, plentifull ted in minute folia- ted masses, in in all the gneiss in ‘the vicinity : but the principal de- osit don Cobble-Hill, about 23 miles —— of the village “of ie a, in clefts, ina I k. called graphi te gran nite | by Professor Hall, and gneiss by Cleaveland. Several of these fissures or veins, have been discovered, all of them reaping north and ‘south, except the small ive, which lies east and west, The largest was discovered by. a man, who passing over the mountain with an axe in his hand, by an accidental stroke laid bare the glittering treasure. It is visible on the surface for about four rods, and one extremity passes under the gneiss, appa- rently unimpaired in size. It varies from four inches to two feet 30 234 Graphite of sme che in width, and has been removed in some places, to the depth of from ten to twelve feet, by means of chisels fixed on poles, without any diminution in the productiveness of the vein. A description of the a Are be it tag as a cabinet of the Institute lity. It is separated from the walls of the fissure, by a thin layer of quartz, with sometimes a little feldspar, and is sometimes traversed by small seams and veins ofthe same. The proprietors of the mines, being farmers, only de- vote the time not consumed in the business of their occu pation, to procuring it. They were formerly accustomed to grind it in their own mills, and send it in this state to market; an operation that can be there performed at a comparatively trifling expense, on ac-. rishi — the Soe Water ——— affor — ee e @ “outlet” of ~ sumed_ nding it on account of its a eaking” as it is ‘tectins ase he mie on a very ing pedient to lessen: this source of trouble: before milling he ride: wits ita consideralie portion of the Crown Point iron ore, the hard angular fra of which succeeded quickly and effectually in reducing it to an uni- cola powder. But there exists one objection to this mode of pre- -~par eee it Sak unfits it for alt vee Rae to wee itis ciktey? dotiatintied of it eoullt hay be expected to > wihstnd a white heat; wc terrae 3] ackened it, 3d e been | 2 “ ss r aie A ietoral, stated to = Pani graphite, is sold by.a vendor of specimens in Alexandria; it-is in irregular nodules of various siz- es, and is generally supposed to be obtained from near Rogers’ Rock. A specimen weighing fifteen pounds, was exhibited for sale. a was separ: enough to procure some — — : = 1 r e Sener by the Mowpasy was Bb meniiatdy covered | wat ery len from. its pores. On charcoal — Bitte cted Mk pie ° ee ly ¢ we Graphite of Ticonderoga. 235 leay ying a a white crust; with borax it was partially acted on with ef- fervescence. The foliated part was not at all affected per se, or with borax, by the highest heat I could raise. Acids act upon it, and carbonic acid amounting to 8.5 grs. in 100 is evolved. are residue before the blowpipe, burned with n . The mineral itself is in irregular masses, present- ing rataeally anewist of a botryoidal appearance, and from its surface, scales can be detached, resembling in every respect the foliated graphite ; they are likewise, though 1 more rarely, ae found in its substance. It is irregularly granular, and of a color than the foliated plumbago. My opinion, which I believe is warranted by the above facts, is, that it is a made mineral, and most probably composed of the pre- pared black lead of Ticonderoga, and powdered carbonate of lime, a little charcoal. book a to heighten the ie made into a paste due cy water or some o iquid, and joulded into a prop er for or “It moral evidence be requisite in fa- vor of this ¢ opinion, it ma ae emarke these spe akan fod, tare by 008 > wh derives his prineipal support from cect pes * ae en = is gear geghlic Gay en here obtained, is proved by the as- sertion of Professor Hall. But little of it being found, and that little being exhausted, the above ingenious expedient was proba- bly. hit BpOM J in niet to te the noes pf Soeceucgisin who | Tt may Se ar te improper to eck eke. that i in i last, Mr. Eaton’s party on the canal, found plumbago in small scales: i the red ae of Salina. It sometimes exists also asa disti n the common glazing of our slate) on the 3 oft e Hud Za pee Pi: § and at wag 236 | Apparent Radiation of Cold. Art. XXII. On the Apparent RapiaTion oF Cotp. By Bensamin F, Josuin, M.D. Prof. Math. Union College. Cor- 2 aia Member. Read eee 21, 1830. In a well known ex 0 concave specula, a calorific principle is evidently. edited snd ‘rellsctod, and moves in right lines with great velocity. The celebrated Florentine experiments, a modification of the former, seems at first sight to establish no less conclusively the radiation of a frigorific principle, which ob- serves the same laws as radiant heat. ‘It becomes therefore a pe a amet a nterent as ae a eupbsenah - nhs give z an . pe 1s yet ahops athe Wi ith this rani ohheoiter t the idea originated, that a mutual participation of radi- ant caloric takes place between bodies at all temperatures, and that a warm body has its temperature reduced by a cold one in its vici- nity, merely in consequence of receiving only a partial compensa- tion for the rays it has emitted. This hypothesis, however, has not been mahi S adopted. It has been rejected by many. phi- : A eee others, by the late celebrated Dr. Murray, * Cold,” in. that valuable sci- entific work, ‘the New Ediaburch Encyclopaedia. The latter re- parks, ee this epee si ie se the esa pee roportional t. to iy nt witl ae most obv sted fats fee ead For ifi it were true, that a mutual participation of tem- perature takes place between the hotter and the colder body, until they arrive at the same temperature, and that this reciprocal action | even goes on after an equilibrium is established between th m, it is evident that a hot body ought to cool more slowly when it is pla- ced near a. large body of inferior temperature, a nege et eenall One. But the fact is precisely the reverse.”? oe, _ The answer to this is obvious. ~The intens iin on a ns, in consequence of their rectil and divergent t courses, = is fe v rst ly as the distance from the point whence they emanated ; whilst two surfaces of a simailar figure, bet recs at different | Apparent Radiation of Cold. =F have their number of radiatory points directly as the square of their distances. Therefore the number of rays received from them by the thermometer, will be equal, whilst the surfaces possess the same temperature arid radiating power, te no rays are inter- _ cong by the intervening medium ; and if their distance be varied, eir influence will be as their apparent seiedet if this be con- stant : their calorific or refrigerant influence varies with their tem- erature. Therefore, whilst a cold body ina warm chamber mp plies a a hetindtiater 3 in its vicinity, with some. calorific. emanatic it intercepts a greater number which would have been sabiisas from the warmer walls of the apartment, and thus prevents that — equivalent return which the thermometer had before received for its own radiation. For it subtends the same angle at the thermo- meter, as the portion of wall whose rays it intercepts, and it is of in- ferior eanperature- Now it is evident, that a large cold body will ey the Sam same p distance intercept rays still more RUEIOT OMA, ans in sides rae swith pee aad anntter left aes eae sur- face, was filled with a frigorific mixture and placed in the focus of a natalie reflector, having the surface of a parabolic conoid. A 1 eter was placed i in the focus of the generating parabola an . equal and similar mirror placed opposite. the former, at th eg tance of some feet, with their axes coincident. The thermometer suffered the greatest reduction of temperature when the painted side of the cold body was presented towards that mirror in whose on % the cold body was si ee and. saad least Leben the meinli ‘surface was presented. Dr. M | to M. Poe t's ; Sf s tory, but it will be found deficient when soplied a a all i — phenomena, et in particular, appears yeteets pee _ SGsrent ——— in radiating cold. | le is, that the of dif _s Soe. which at a given temperature, radiate diffe quantities of caloric, that which radiates least must be least pow- erful in returning: a to en thermometer, and f mast pas - have least effect in of its + es eae Apparent Radiation of Cold. in other words, must produce the greatest cold. A blackened sut- face, we have seen, is that which, at a given temperature, radiates the largest quantity of caloric, and a metallic surface, that which radiates least. Were Prevost’s explanation just, therefore, the blackened surface is the one which, in the experiment on radiant cold, ought to produce the least cooling effect, and the metallic surface the greatest, because the former gives off more caloric by radiation than the latter. But the fact is the reverse ; the cold be- ing greatest when the blackened eae and least when the me- tallic surface, is opposed to the mirror.” In examining the objection, we may observe that the two mir- rors puhiooe = angles at the bodies, in their respective Enel and con rt equal piper ie of the calorie re r di | on, they routes upon rie 10 y eitusted i in Peittier focus, all the rays ich the mirror most remote from it receives from the body in its own focus, with the ex- ception of the rays absorbed by the reflectors and those intercepted by the air. Therefore the ratio between those portions of caloric, which the two bodies receive from each other in this sha is the same as would exist in a case of direct interchange by r —— no ) mirrors: are isatae aad if the ool ety have its vhich emanate from it, will be aed byt the via fondo ter, as qhe hermancir will receive of all those point | mes the eed. aie Pei ae by bates the Po gic iments to ‘aaott rit its whole sarlaes unpainted, nat it "ays emanating from this body, reach the = hesneenter and all those from the thermometer reach the metal- | me el i shall —_ to = —- wanoats impairing the cal | ead of subverting the ¢ ) h i oe no pie or other source Oo or or cold ex- iilibrium, every” article of forniture, and i in ie sets within nit, — be their different : | . = spe had i in 1 the first expenicieitt.: By this op Apparent Radiation of Cold. 239 From this equilibrium of temperature preserved among bodies in proximity to each other, however various their surfaces, it may be inferred that the reflecting power of any surface increases, whilst the radiating power diminishes, and vice versa, and that their sum is constant 5 3 aud also, that the sum of the radiated and reflected caloric pr ce + from any surface, is alwaysa constant quantity SS as temperature of the surface is constant, and that of the surfaces of surrounding bodies equal to its own, whatever change its power of radiation may undergo, by painting, p other means. ‘Therefore if a metallic body be of the same temper- ature as a thermometer in its vicinity, the latter cannot be: affectec by merely changing the surface of the former, its temperature re re- maining unchanged. — These principles being premised, suppose experiments to be made simultaneously, and with similar apparatus, in two chambers, A —_ Bs and ace shea Lae of - same cea “ y or -s are dif fferent a Te ; squat of the th " Experiment Ist. Corer both a with a black eat which increases the radiating and diminishes the reflecting ee - Let r represent the siieilaks of caloric reflected from os body situated in A. during the first instant, and re dase diated from the same. Letr' be the quantity are that re in B, and ¢' the quantity radiated by it. As the sum of the radia- ted and reflected caloric includes all that can be sent from either ermometer, it follows that rg is the amount Fem oft by the psntsd body in Ay and he by that in B. Be to go bidiae and the poms the sexta which alan ee here at mine = | in'some aecpe ode a ‘ects rays ‘home each i is increased, by wilh means the bodies re- turn to their = thermometers a greater oe of the : = ‘ 240 Apparent Radiation of Cold. calorific emanations of the latter. Now the quantity reflected from urface, must always be in the compound ratio of the reflecting er and the number of tncident rays ; and, as. in this ease, the e cting pee. of Lae bodies are ely oaatean in spe same ratio, and fl I 1 by the re- moval of the pigment, it follvive that the ingrements of reflection from the two bodies have the same ratio to the quantities which respectively reflected ee the eres = ms pigments 3; 1. e. a5. ye ey L ; , oly. Reames ae a ig my Ge Tos t diminished in thes same ie equal ratio: Let i i be the ratio in whi a < reflection has been increased, and d i that i in which the radiation has fod of the ‘body i in A is rxigs, and ies thatin Br xi f It only remains now to ieceumne the value of this last expression. to be greater than that of r +". ae esl quantities be multiplied by equals, the greater will re- increment isa the less : Now ris. greater than % len a ode. is not t affected — ‘temperature of surroundin “bodies or that of the ambaent air, co fat Adding this to the cussions we obtain Apparent Radiation of Cold. 241 the same body in experiment 2, when the pigment is removed, Therefore r'i +e g >r'+ ¢'. That is to say, the whole amount of calorific rays vefiaciad and radiated from the metallic body, in an pre nns to which it is relatively cold, will be increased by re- the pigment which covers its surface and augments its ra- diag power; and a thermometer near it, or at a distance, if re- -flectors be employed, will indicate an elevation of temperature, not- withstanding the diminution of the radiating power of the body by this operation. This is the proposition which was to be demon- strated. It is therefore obvious, that the elegant theory of radiant heat proposed by M. Prevost, is reconcileable with these pheno- mena, and receives additional support from those experiments which some eminent chemists have adduced for its refutation. The foregoing investigation suggests a general formula, for ex- oe the ratio of the reflecting to the absorbent and radiating ers of bodies. The reviewer of Prof. Leslie’s Experimental Riicityonr Hoan" remarks, that ‘* the reflecting powers of bodies, bear some inverse ratio to their absorbent and projecting = e. ra- diating) powers, although so many circumstances unite in ing the proportion, that we are unable, as yet, scenes lee ne general law.” I shall state the general law, according to which these powers vary. Is not this the only sense in which the na- ture of the case can ever admit of a general law ? From the term absorption, (which though now sanctioned by general use, appears to me not happily chosen,) we must not be led to suppose that bodies have a positive power of imbibing calo- ric, or of conveying it inwards from their surfaces, the least con- ceivable distance, independently of conduction. Those incident rays which are not reflected, are necessarily retained at the sur- face on which they impinged. Hence the sum of the depois and absorbent the sum of the reflecting and radiating powers rom this, and from the fact that a change in the surfaces of séighboring bodies does not disturb their equilibrium of temperature, it may be ‘inferred that the radiating and absorbent powers of any body are | equal, and increase or diminish in the same ratio. It is therefore only necessary to express the law by which the radiating and re- flecting powers vary. These _ caeteris _- kee rt ~ * Vide Edinburgh Review. 31 any ratio in which the reflecting power of gas the reflecting power is increased or diminished ; rz Elements of the Solar Eclipse. 243. sil cake Elements of the Sonar Ecurrse of February 12th, 1: Together with a particular Calculation for the Latitude en ani of Albany. By Srxrnen aR, A.M. Member. (With a Plate.) Read September 21, 1830. Nees the sosiiand ages, the study of the celestial phenomena has ever been an object of the most lively interest; an interest shila alike bebe the ose ia nature of the pursuit itself, and the hhave attended it. Since that im- portant period when the publication of the Novum Organum shed upon the path of the philosopher a light which has shone forth with a brightness continually increasing as the mists of ignorance and error, which attended its dawn, have been dispelled, the advances il Astronomy, have surpassed the most sanguine e ectations. — ata eat teastiasts of science have a principles of the induetive method of a — more hap- ee tale gen rier li e and beautiful results, By the researches of modern as- tronomers, have been developed those laws by which the entire planetary system has been regulated since that remote period, when, first touched by the finger of the Atmrcury, it commenced its vast and rapid revolution: laws in themselves simple, yet pro- ductive of effects the most complicated and difficult of investiga-— tion. The phenomena of the heavens tho’ always interesting, are yet sometimes rendered more particularly worthy of attention, by the recurrence of events remarkable on ae of ree Tales or, as. contributing in an essential degree, rare, t to the greater perfection of astronomical science. _ Among. phe 1enome- - r ’ ¢ ee , eT wy size, are universally allotted a prominent place, inaaaels as they allots one of the best means, known for determining the difference of lon- gitude between the places at which they are observed, or when ob- served at a place whose longitude is well known, for correcting the small errors to which the most approved solar and lunar tables are still subject. — 244 Elements of the Solar Eclipse. For the purpose of facilitating the objects last mentioned, the elements of the eclipse which forms the subject of this paper, were calculated with great care, the value of each equation having been obtained within the nearest thousandth of a second, The solar tables used, were those of Delambre, to which were applied the corrections indicated by Bessel. The lunar tables, both of Dam. oiseau and Burckhardt, have been employed, in the hope that ob- servations may be made at those places in our country, whose lon- gitude has been previously determined, and thus the number of tests, by which their respective merits must be ascertained, be somewhat increased. On the importance of these, it is deemed unnecessary to insist. It is proper to state, that the first and two last longitudes derived from Damoiseau’s tables, as stated in the elements, were obtained by applying the hourly motion ‘computed for the second period, and the last but one respectively. From the elements as now presented, their values for any inter- mediate period of time, may be readily deduced by the application of simple proportion and the equations of second and third differen- ces. The well known formule for these respective equations, are eam and eS where x is the interval, d and d’”" the second and third differences. The factor ~~ a cor- Ra Sita to every hundredth of the interval, will be found in the first of the tables, subjoined to the elements of the general =—* oad he cee AS as? Kam) for every twentieth, inthe | ‘The first o : these. oy ikea used in the computation of ons, wherever the accuracy of the tables admitted of its Sie The Nutation of Bessel has been employed in the computation, both of the solar and lunar elements, and in accord- ance therewith the epoch of the lunar tables has been diminished | by 0” 455 of the sexagesimal division of the circle. In the computation of the sun’s horizontal a S605t8 has Be aS been taken for the mean parallax. x Tn computing, the sees — for elle » an elipticity of a es of t SUA CSE tM VE iployed OC, = al rt aA oientorinl parallax : Elements of the General Eclipse, 'Pables of Devanere and BrsseL. on Sun’s Longitude. | Ist. Dif, if. jon a.| ard @ aah cates Sun’s R Asscension:| Ist. Dif, ~ 8rd. | 4th. 2h 24m {10s 23° 10! 48/! 4945 | lovo11g N 10s 25° 31' 13! 384 i 2’ 31!’ 6000, — as 2! 27"! 440 te 3 24 |10 23 138 20 0945 0021] + 0 0069 N 10 25 33 40 824 —|- 2 31 6979| + |0048; — ay 2 27 443| — *| as + 4 24 |10 23 15 61 6924 0027| — |0091//0 OO19Nj10 25 36 8 267 043} + |.098 me 2 31 6006] — a 2 27 400} + | .052) — 6 24 |10 23 18 23 2930 0016) + |0 0081$'10 25 388 35 667 009} — | .066 : 2 31 6990, + )0031| — ne 2 27 409] — 1.014) —_ 6 24 |10 28 20 54 8920 — loosallo 00g0 $110 25 41 3 676 — Ol ‘ 2 31 6015| — 10043 | 2 .03 | % 24 {10 28 23 26 4928 018 . ‘ 2 31 a | ic 8 24 |10°13 26 68 0918 eee Mean time ; : ac anky of at Paris, aan'eneune Dif. ! ae Dianater, — ae 2h 24m 118° 48/9! 590} 4o'rryolt 14? 94" 045 16 138" 418 obliga of the Ecliptic. ’ ¢ : 4 m4 1a 46 20 o24\29 794 al) 4 $3 99\lT6 ‘3 AS mie 6 24 |18 45 40 2049 eal) 33 962/116 18 894 bee 6 24 {18 44 6&0 14 33 934 is 13 386 Sun’s Horizontal Parallax §/'7130. 7 24 3 44 0 499 9% eer 14 $3 90316 13 378 |. 8 24 lig 43 10 612 14 33 8721/16 13 970 ‘asdyog wmpog ayn fo syuauiayy Mg : By the Tables of Damoseav, hie a ~ er ‘ Moon’ s Longines. Eo | * ae ig ——-—— - —— Moon’s Latitude N. i f Oi orghabhe: yale a Ist. Diff. | 2d. Diff. | 3d. Diff.| 4th Diff. : : |} oh 92! 98"1103 219 37’ 99" 0870} Ist. Diff, |2d. Diff.)3d.Diff a 183! 33" 6168] ti 3 22 28 110 22 11 2 7028 Se ei4T | 4 (148! 14" 9254 a ae a 183 35 8305] 1056 Se, | 3/4" 2309 | — 4 22 98 [10 22 44 38 0838 ‘1 6091/ + | 1784 {45 10 6045 ~ ovas0a | 5 (83 86 9896 0728 pits - 18 4 6818 .0720 5 22 28 110 23 18 14 9729 1 6819 olgg }42 6 0132 0 3784; — $ : > 188 88 4215 0866 —_— 3 6 0597 0564 > 6 22 28 |10 23 51 58 694 ae 8 7685 | 1799 1/89 0 9535 0 43582! + 3 : 183 40 3900) © .0983 ‘i 3 5 49553 46913 . 7 22 28 |10 24 25 83 9844 ‘41 6752 | (185 65 «45794 0 9049 = 133 42 0652| | -|8 6 40043 ‘ : 8 22 28 |10 24 59 16 0496! 82 49 0575 S f Moon’s Horizontal O44 picker 3 Moon’ 8 : Equatorial Par allax Siaiilameter, be ei oS 3h 7 28''|57' 34!! 657 6576) ; }15! 41 goqa) s ) | 4045; + © 4. 3 28 157 36 1422 oa70) 15 41 7987) + 0086 6116) — | - |.4120) — 5 99 28 [57 37 6538 0003/15 42 2107) + |.0003 ; ‘. peas am | : 4117 6 92 28 [57 389 1651 0415/15 42 6224) +. |.0108 toe | 4708} — ae 4009 7 92 28 |57 40 6369 . 3005:15 43 02933, 4. 0823 Be ! 1693} | aioe ” 7 99 98 |57 41 98052 15 43 3419 | ie y nia SPN A ARI OE PTL At IRM AR OA RA ANY 3 i By the ‘Tables of B : 3 pry Se Moon’s Longitude. ; Moon’s Latitude aM }} 2h 24’ |10 219 88! 19" 449) Ist. Diff, | Qnd.|Snd. (4th. || 2h 24" 10° 61’ 16" 282 | Ist. Dil. | 2nd. | rd. |4th. : | 133’ 3384 g43} 4 | 7 f he 8 3''702 | — 8 24 (1092 11 52° 292 41.792) — | $8 94 {0 48 12 68 - 10640 | + 1383 35 6365 236F sel) ee 8 4 249 .240 4 24° 110 22.46. 27 327 1.556; + }.447|)| 4 24 |0 35 8 338 0 — |395 eee. 133 87 Ip 211) fos 3 4 642 166 | +- 5 24 11023 19 6 O18 1.767] — | 299] 6 24 lo 42 3 796 455. | + |267 : ee \83 38) 968 08l) | 3 4 997 19 6 24 {10 23 68 43 976 . 1.686] + |.127|/| 6 24 [0 388 58 799 3 | — |2494 ea I33 40 644 046] i 3 5 840 187} 7 24 |1024 96 94 620 1732 7 24 10 85 583 459 04 Wee as 83 52 376 3 6 820! | § 24 11026 0 =.6 996 8 24 ‘0 82 47 688% | | Moon's Equatorial Parallas. (|) ge ridiameter. 2h 24/67! 81 878 |Ist. Diff) 2nd.|/15! 40!’ 5006 | Diff. 1588 | — 4055 3 24/67 32 866 __|.1874//15 40 9060 1 4503; — || 39524 4 24/67 84 8163) —_|.0263)/16 41 30123 f 424} +] 38804 5 24/57 35 7403} —-|.0123)/|15 41 6893 Best 6 24167 87 176 |,0263||15 42 0805 | (1 461 3981 7 24/67 88 637 1,028 116 42 4786 | | 1 484 A044 8 24/67° 40 121) °° 7 15 42 8830 | ‘asdyary wwjog ayz fo szuauapy LPG GrocentRic Cobioiertihk as obtained by computing from the Tables of Pv M. time Paris. Ap timeParis M.time Albany} Ap.ti. Albany] Lon. of @ & p - s Lat. N{ for * sae read ss ok =e Errata in Mr, Alexander’s Communication. Page 245, in in @’s longitude at 8h 24m, for * 13°,” read 23° ‘sin @’sright ascension at 6h 24m, for “« 3676," read’ 3”076. 246, in. >" _ ne PROG a ie 22m 28sec. for ** $7 '6269,” read 57 = in > long. at 4h 24m, fait és ecoaier a 27327, in column of Ist difference, for * 52376,” rad 42"'376. sabtade, .* at 4h. 24m, for “ 35’ 8338,” read: ——— $ “s sates. GP Pio, en s > : a = “Ss gga ier aC“ aitipety ¥, a eee on ae OR Ee ae Oe gS me dae ea ne ee ee Y% a ee Pe ees Oe oO a RE es FS 0 eo, ee ink ik: ite let rele eee ei fi 8 i ae a a ea Reale aaa ae (Fo Abe ne OSE pita 2 abi PART If. APPENDIX. CONTENTS. | Page. Charter of the Society for the promotion of Useful Arts, } Charter of the Albany se ceum a2 Natural History, : : Charter of the Albany Inst Catalogue of the Library = ri Aitbany laastibiit, Aptit, 1829, . | List of Donors to the Library, 23 . History of the Institute, with an abetract at its ts Proceedings, 25 “ie 26 to 31 5 2. wae BB 43 to 53 |S ‘Shaw on the Seapebatei of F Spirits from Preparations 31 C. M. Stebbins on the Plants growing in and near Hades, 33 woo T. R. Beck on the Bituminous Coal of Tioga county, Penn. 34 M. H. Webster on the Unio Crassus var. Giganteus, > J. Henry on Cold produced by the rarefraction of Air, 36 L. C. Beck on the Lead Mines of estern here ib. S. De Witt on Soap Alumina, 4) G. W. Featherstonhaugh on the ° principle of the a draught of suas ; eis eee! e _ -_ et ashington 58 Report of a committee, on Bronzing, — 60 = dl =i on a Conical Rain oe es —6€6O0 : 65 Aga fs TE oS oy ee 2 if 9 ae - = Sr w APPENDIX. —ae— Charter of the Society for the pr ounink tat of —— dlris. An Act to (aaa a Society for _ promotion of Useful Arts, passed April 2, 1804. ' WHEREAS the institution of a et calculated to’ pro mote, collect and preserve the knowledge of useful arts, is Peace. connected with the public welfare and prosperity : he Be it enacted by the people of the state of New-York, re- esented in senate and assembly, That all such persons who shall, at the time of the passing of this act, be members of the society for the promotion of agriculture, arts and manu- factures, and such other persons who shall from timé to timé become members of ie society hereby intended to be incor- porated, an tenes ten months after the passing of ion wri subscribed by Witt, an pieied secretaries Pot fhe sai society, to become Serta of the society hereby intended sp orpt y eaid be sviedl “ies pe and be it answer and be ans\ ; defend and be defended, in “all conftest in all 2 aetone oe ee and causes whatsoever, and to purchase, take, » hold and enjoy, any real or pee estate, om : e of Jebr ’ ‘nd the same to lez d convey, Sie ihe” atte D! > of the r: into effect such measures as to | stitute, ordai n and Gia sctablink ce vs and reiula- sen a hy shall judge peoeer ahaa ae * ae A cp ef: 3X — ie eo! ae s- cers, for prescribing Dicks respective ie, and the mode of disch arging the same ; for the admission of new members into the said society ; for the government of the officers and aebers thereof ; for ascertaining an equal annual rate of contributions towards the funds thereof ; for regulating the ‘times and places of meeting for managing the affairs of the said society, and for suspending or expelling such members of the said society, as shall neglect or refuse to comply with the by-laws and regulations thereof, so as such by-laws and regulations shall oe be repugnant to the laws of the United States or of this stat And. be it Jagan: ‘enacted, That a president and one or more vice-presidents, nine counsellors, two or more secreta- ries, asurer, pee such other officers as =e said cea re neld in the cha aber. ‘or at cr miber - place as the said ery shall from time to time by by-law direct and appoint on the Tuesday next succeeding the day . on whic houses of the legislature shall have been forn malt to proceed to business, after the first day of of Jan anuary ; yer e said officers shall speak Ae hold i eir of ices se. unitil the oo annual shegtiop, ae or ae! ther and that the preston or one of the peraiiene. with any twelve or more of ihe said society, meeting at the place de- ose by any b ra on, vested i in the said society for the promo- oe and ater: the Roy ay of. . expi a ee 3 Charter of the Albany Lyceum of Natur- 7 = vin At to nearer the e Ang sore of Natural Hie Passed April i . Ste 7 ras EAS ay of the ‘bes Lyceum ot Natur. al History have associated for the of encot the study, and of disseminating a knowledge of natural his- tory and or useful sciences, and have petitioned. for an 96 of incorporation ; ‘Therefore, a "Be it en it ap by the people of the state of New- York, : re- presented in senate and assembly, That Stephen Van Rensse- laer, Theodric Romeyn Beck, Simeon De Witt Bloodgood, Lewis C. Beck, Matthew Henry Webster, Frederick Ma- ws, chard. Varick De Witt and James maple and such ; deb By ne , ee ee: all courts and Mo whatsoever, and may have a common a with power and alier the same from time to time, and es he pl e or otherwise, and any goods, ps a ha and persona tate, and of selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of said eo ee Proided hi or ze part thereof, at their will and pleas- That the funds of the said d corporae the ob e 4 Jating the places and times of meeting of the said society, for suspending or ex] such members as shall n or re- fase to aieoly with the by-laws or regulations, and for man- and directing the affairs and concerns of the said soci- ay: Provided, such by-laws and regulations be not repug- nant to the constitution and laws of this state or of the Uni- ted States. And be it further enacted, That the officers of the said so- ciety shall consist of a president, two vice-presidents, a cor- responding secretary, a recording saint a treasurer, thre: curators, and a draftsman, and such other officers as the said society may deem necessary, ais shall be annually chosen, and who shall continue in office for one year, or until others shall be elected in their stead; that if the annual election shall not be held on any of the as for that purpose appoin int- ed, it shall Bega ts ta inake sa h election on a a or resolutions of said society, setts constitute meeting thereof; and that in case a vacancy shall ake place between the annual meetings, then i it shall be bar fal to fill such vacancy at any regular and the son or persons so chosen shall continue in office until the next het meeting, or until others shall be elected i in gee _— And be at Rotini enacted, That Van ssela all be th , Theodri ident, Lewi oC. Beck, corresponding secretary, Maier feory Webster, coreg secretary, Frederick Mathews, sae aig on? a a al ~ ames - 3 Eights ts and | Bad be it Sart enacted, That the py siti of the said s paper A cited wi the we Soke see contin- | ereof, perches alterat fl ee I ee Charter of the Foca Anstitute. oaae An Act to incorporate the be Alon Institute. Passed Petrie 1829. Wuereas the aiky for ‘ie Promotion of -Useful Arts and the Albany Lyceum of Natural History have agreed to articles of association, for the purpose of forming an insti- tution for the promotion of science and literature, to be call- ed « The Albany Institute.” ‘Therefore The people of the state of New-York, represented i in senate id assembly, do enact as follows :' 2 All such persons as shall at the time of the passage of this act be members of the said “ Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts,” or of the ‘“ Albany Lyceum of Natural His- tory,” and such other persons as shall from time to time be- come members of the same, or of the third department here- in after eer ee shall be and are hereby. pete a : Ae po meee by the name of ‘ | to wit : First, the dep 54 ph arts: Second, the ie panhent of ear ates y, and, Thir the department of history and ees! irertahe. ee The ‘so- ciety for the promotion of useful arts,” as at present consti- , shall be the first Albany a Senet The satr him, # partmen and a society for the ‘photon “of | | oditral’ irctare shall be formed as soon as may be, which shall be the third i ethan but until such society shall be ) ly organized, the said corporation shall c con- si! sg f ’ aid fi & Ale co : " : 7 6 curators, of the institute : Stephen Van Rensselaer sh the president, and Simeon De Witt, at present een a he society for the a of useful arts, and Theod- : ck, t present president of the Al y ly um ae natural history, shall be the vice-presidents, and Will- iam Mayell, the treasurer, of the institute ; who shall sev- erally hold their respective offices until others shall be cho- 1eir | ee ~The elective officers shall be chosen by a plurality of the votes of the re of the institute present, atar ular meeting for that purpose, convened according to the by-laws of the siete. of which previous notice | given in at least one of the newspapers publ ished in the sity of Albany. | . 8 at any ‘regular beefing of the i institute i fhe election Ry ser any or r either 0 of the de nents ¢ cs peti is zs to be ex 0: 0 fay the" pate parents may be elected fe the 3 institute in the same manner as the other elective officers are directed to be chosen. Nine members of the institute, regularly co constitute a quorum for the transaction of faba aoe tee members of either of the 5 So ee er convened, sth u , . session of the aforesaid departments, shall fe deposited in in te ae of the said corporation ; and all (ewe na- tural history or se a now or hereafter belong or b) eis see and pan meaiesy as hee ey shall ju d dge proper for the election of their as for of ee rape CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY a Bed THE ae es ee. Books 0 cone tye the Ixsrerore are marked t—by the First peraareent t-and 43 eSusent Srconp Drparruenr *. PE — abbas 2 ae as as “8, —— - No s - A ems te Natural Aclentces, of Philadelphia, Report of, fac 1825, _ (Pamphlets, hobs : a ein, of Ra Sconces of Philade nor’ Fostenal. if 8vo. wols. 3 Pbitadelphie, 1817— ? bc = Po aa The Mathematic ae ms ary, containing new resenrches: and - improvements in M stheweting, with collections of qui and = oes by ingenious correspondents, &e.—Conduce coe ie Adra of Mathematics and Nat Prilosophy i in Columbia College, bie Yous, vol. 1, 12mo, New- York, 4 tAgriculture, Arts and jHenufaciuces, Transactions of the Society for the promotion of, 8vo. 2 vol. Albany, 1801. 5 tAgricu culture, Arts ad Mens fate Transactions of the Society in- tuted ite State av k for the Pro motion of, published by. oye i vay oft the Re st &e. By A iene Aikin, 8 tAlbany, Laws and Ordinances of the City of, 1791. 9 tAldrovandus, De Piscibus, (title page wanting,) folio. 10 (Ulyssi oe es 5 i et Medici Si shapers? ononig, 1600, — Te *4llan 's Min reralogic nelature, ssiphabetieall3 T Synoptic Tables Sf he Chemical Analysis of Minerals. toe Allan, Svo. Edinburgh, 1 12 inane Twelve rs of the year 1637, bound in one volume. tale f Books « and esas a relating to, in the pos- nsul.at Valencia, Con ngre ressional Docu- fa! lede gee Kp afe ae F8 Sot ite 4, 179908, iloso aogt Society, T sactions of, ( ; —vol. 2, 1825—vol. 3, paris eke ; Society, held at Phi roe cee talo of the ol the. biladelphia, 1824. » pu od by or 8 19 }Anderson. Essays oe to Agriculture and Rural Affairs. By James Anderson, tg er at Monks-Hill, Aberdeenshire. 3d edit. 2 vols. 8vo. Dublin, 1 20 *tAnnals of the pee of Natural eo age 8 Be of Yh vol. 1&2, and nos. “= ms 3, 8vo. New-York, 1 21 tAnnals of Philosophy, or Magazine of Che ity, Mineralogy, Me- chanics, Seisac History, 7 1 ae. a the A By Thomas Thom n, M.D. F.R.S. L. & E. &e. vo. odion, 1813 to 1820. 22 tannal of sporty ong new series, pine by june Phillips, F. R. S- E. &c.) 12 vols. 8vo. London, 1821 t 23 sare Researches, or Transactions of ied aint instituted i . Ben- gal, for inquiring iat "the History and ames pee the Arts, Sciences and Literature of Asia, 10 vols. 8vo. London, 1806—11. 24 {Bacon (Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Albans) Sylva Sylva Natural History, in ten Centuries, &c. blished after the: autlior’s death, by William Rawley, D. D. one a his Majesties Chaplains. The tenth edition, folio. London, 1676. 25 +Bakers of Scotland. Memorial for the, Ato. wet rst a ewe Pe eee peg “sean fitobert) "Tarodeeiton to Mineralogy, comprising the Natural History and Character of oe and a description of 19. Rocks, &c. with plates, 8vo. London 28 +Bancroft. Experi the Philosophy of Permanent Colours, and the best means of pencutrar them fe fess Calico Printing, &c. by Edward Bancroft, M.D. F.R. 8. &c.2 vols. Svo. aor 1814. 29 Joel) Prospectus of a National Institute to be establish = the United States. Washington, 1806. (Pamphlet pe seat ya ni te eS ee. , Barton, , (Prof. Benj. Smi mith) Same secouilt of the poisonous cua’ in- ose Honey of North America. (Pamphlets, quarto. vo} vy) *Beck (I aie Me fe. Here of oo Mere Bets the Mis: hemicel examination of the water, and _of sa fetared: at sabes and onan - New 1826. | SMe as | 34 tBeck (T. R) A ual Address, delivered befo the Medical Society of the State of New-York, 1928. (Pamphlets, pti vl, S3.,*: 36 — (T. R.) on the desc of Country Medical Institutions.. An Intro- y Lecture delivered at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, re Western Dita, Dee 9 1924. (Pamphlets, 8vo. vol. *) sie 86 $Beck (I. R.) Medical Jurisprud nsurance upon Li _ before the Albany Institute. (Pamphlets, v0. vol. La) aks < *Bigelow poorer 3 Florula Bo toniensis, 8yo. Boston, 1814. 88 +Blakeman, (Philo) The Weaver's Assists nt, expl x in a familiar | " "manner, the first principles of pedo Veaving gr ek Bridge- bach. A Mano ae the Elements of Natural 1 History, by J. F. Translated from the n, by R. T. Gore, 1 vol. Sv. : Stes Sal brew, rity, 8y0. 3 vols. Albany, 1521 —26, > 41 tBoard of oe ste ge London. we odd va a Committee of, on the os ure and. Use o otatoes, 4to. n, 1795. (Pamphieuay Ato. es. 42 ls any, ge = of, as established by Linneus ; with examples to illustrate the classes and orders of his system, with plates, 3 vols. 12mo. London : 43 Bradbury (John) Travels in the Interior of America, Svo. Liverpool, 44 tetemnans Path James) account of the manner of preparing a nordi-_ ship boat asa life boat. Edinburgh, 1803. (Pamphlets, 8vo. vol. 1. 45 “Brande (WwW iliam Thomas) Outlines of Geology, 8vo. London, 1817. 46 *tBrande’s Journal of Science and the Arts, edited at the Royal In- stitution of Great Britain, Svo. 0 vols.—5 vols. sige eg os vols.) 47 sires (M. J.) Elements of the Natural Wistos and Chemicsl of Mineral Substances, iemniares from the French of, 8vo. 1 vot endoli. 1800 48 Bee ‘oer sect , for promoting the Fine Arts in the United King- ; Catalogue of the works of British ges — in the Gallery of 4 Ato. see 1806. (Pamphlets, quarto. 1.) 49 *+Bruce. The American Mineralogical mg being 4 es = and observations a og to elucidate the Mineralogy and Geo i ndu sted by Archibald Bruce, “York, 1814. "eo ts ne vere ou nouveau penne Physique et Economique a tou- tes les Plantes que croissent sur la surface du Globe, Ow ornée de 1200 Peete &c. 12 vols. of plates pound ia 4:70 8 : ee imi ee 1 ¢Burr E} orate of Con , according to the Linnean ‘Mlutated by by 28 gees drawn ae waa a - Rev. E. J. eee edd A.M. F.R.8. & 52 ee Horticultural Society, Memoirs pe ‘tes Svo. vols. Ist and 3, No. I. Edinburgh,’1 53 Paden ee of the State < nas, a of, made Jan. 1925. _ ‘Vandalia, 1825. ——— 54 tCanal Commissioners of the State of iw? ual Report of presented March 4, 1825—Do. presented F bite 20, 1894. amph- ol. 6. Colum 56 tCanal. Becton os of the: seeia baie Bama ina ve ears ; lain betwee Hon. Gouverneur Morris and Robert Fulton. ( , lets, Svo: vol. = ety 67 ¢Canal, Commencement of the Ohio, at tie eS Soe i ay a ep Lancaster, (Ohio.) Be Oe at ‘8vo. vol. 6. oad 55 {Canal Commissioners of on peor of, to the General Assembly. bus, 1825. (Pamphlets, 6.) with reports Sf Eng Eoeineste Columban, 1824. ¢ 1m h- * These are bound together in one vol. — “ Connecticut River and Canal.” ; t 62 ‘Gant Hampshire and Hampden, om ga of the Hon. James Hilf- use on the petition for exten ding t S ices oo and cg Sebel iors of Jarvis Hurd, Esq. Civil emp y the Executive ce tee of the, with an es- timate ae the expense, &c. Northampto 64 uaeey of Albany County, taken in 1501, fol. MS. 65 nquiries into Human Nature, in six Anatomic Preelec- tions, in the New Theatre of the Royal Colledge of London, by Wal- ter Charleton, M. D. and Fellow of the same Colledge, 8vo. London, 1680. 66 es and Delaware oan Company, Stediceial of, to Congress, hal Svo. vol. ~ asthe Delaware aoe sixth General Report of, 1829. (Pamphlets, vi vol. 6.) 68 {Chinese Tract. eee of the ve Testament History.” 69 +Cleaveland. An Elementary Trea on Mineralogy and Geology, being an Titrodection | t% ‘he — of tl these Sciences,&c. iHustrated by ; six: d, Professor of Mathematics and ae. ‘ ral tgs me and Leet sulin oy cxoms mistry, in some Co eh : yn it) An. ttroductory titties ables ied wafoke the otk ral Philosophical Society of N ag on sae mee 1814, iy B De Witt Clinton, LL. D. President, vo. New-Yor 71 coma A ng Witt) Memoir on the mages ee of the western pc of the Sta New-York. Albany, 1820. (Pamphlets, 8vo. vol, 3.) 72 alien: (De Witt) Account of the bene Otsego, or --nii Basse. New-York, 1822. (Pamphlets, 8vo 3.) 73 ee Journal of the House of etn PS Ist and 2d see e first st Congress, 1789, 1790, &c. 1 vol. folio. New-York, 1 | n. - ess. _ Slate. Papers of the second Session of the 13th Congress. “2 vols, fol aap he Yo Jongress. “Sees Papers of the first Session of the 14th ‘Congress, 3 vols. folio. 76 {Congress. State Papers of the third Session of ibe 14th Congress, 1 vol. folio. Se ee 2 2 of 3d Session F 13th, Ist Session of 14th, 1 stand ~~ @d Session of 15th, Ist and 2d Session of 16th, 2d Session of hith, Ist = and 2d ; of 18th, ‘Ist Sepaton “of 19th. 12 vols.8yo. — . 70 Nis and 3 Journal o of the House of Represe ntatives, 2d Session n of 6th, ge ee Session of 17th, ist ‘and od Session of 18th, ‘Ist Session of = 19th. a5 vols. oe es 30 $ Cong Reports made t to the 7th. 8 vols. Svo. é ess. List of Pensioners reported to, 1820, 1 vo 8yo. a prere of the Treasurer of the United St ngress. Senate Documents, 48th a gress, 3 vols. mgress. Senate Papers, 17th ne ern. 8vo. eaten to 0% 16th, 17th and 18th, Svols. Sy See . " s.r tin wy a. Le, ee, aed it lig State Papers, 13th Congress, 6 vols, 8vo. 87 tCong do. Mth..." 3 vols. 8vo. 88 SP iapianl do. 15th 17 vols. 8vo. 89 {Congress. do. —_—- 16th 22 vols. 8vo. 90 tCongress. _ do.. | 17th 19 vols. sed 91 {Congress. ao. 18th 22 vols. 8 92 +Congressional Documents, cont R a De- " partment n 1603 1803, 1806, 1808, end isto al =< ees y the : — States, wis July, ia uary 1, 1615. 93 tCongressional Document, co nae ng an account of “i Recep and Expenditures of the United States for the et oe ar 1800. 94 tCongressional Document. Letters of the tary of wa ona — aie hes Road from Zanesville we Poeaed (alabama) ee * 95 {Congressional Document. An account of the Receipts and E spent Solis the eres Bintes, for the year 1808. Washi mere | cmphlets, olio ‘96 {Connects Academy 8 Arts and Sciences; Memoirs of the, Bvo. New-Haven, 18 97 aianie River Sacan ny. Report of the President and Directors i wi ord e Peo of H. Hutchinson, Esq. Engineer. Jan'y 3, 1826. artford.* pert in Voraonte te e necticut, and also a ¢ Route recta agog to. Connecticut | River. "Washington, ® sere sal Cali ico Printing, &c . By ssor of Cheaintey a Dickinson College, Philadelphia, 18 102 + Cooper (Th omas) Professor at Chemistry at Cart College, Penn- Sis oP The Introductory eto of, with n es and references, Sv Svo. isle, 1 ome inform concerning 6 Lights, by t € same ? “Bvo. Philadelphia, 1816—_bouud in onevol. See ss GE 103 +Coxe. View of the United States, by Tench wes of Philadelphia, 8vo. Philadelphia, 1794 104 +Coze. A Statement of the Arts: and Manufactures of the United States boty Res item “the: ear 181 i, Digests hia, 181. et tam ‘ope w. P.) . to the oe the U ee Sco Sets pes Sa SAGE _ — ance of encouraging Domestic ‘tures—with an account of the improvements in Shemp aA Ainge, ‘Alexandria, 1803. (Pamphlets, 8vo. vol. 1.) Syne en es ak lettered “ Connecticut River and Canal.” 12 108 —— The American Artist’s Manual, or Dictionary of Practical wledge, by James Cutbush, 2 vols. 8vo. a ia, 1814. . 109 comnime Essay on the Theory of oto at Dis withM —— Note — 110 4Cuvier ie et ri, ah fait a | Academie des Sciences de Pari peepee ul9 Fevrier 1, sur un ouvrage de M. J, Vi ctor = ech aris, 1893. (P. eats quarto, vol. 2.) 111 *Dana. Outlines of the Mineralogy and Geology of Eat on its en with a - pete Map, by J. Freeman M.D. and Samue a, M.D. &c. &e. 8vo.1 vol. Boston 112 *Davy. Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, in a Cases sage for or oard of Agriculture, by ~ P tgs Davy, L. L.D. &c, yo. lyol. Ne ae ts 113 $ 1Dary Gi Humphrey) 8 us z a Coutts of arches: on Seenis- y, at the Royal Saieatee - Great Britain. Bondon, 1802, (Pamph- vo. vol, 1.) Debates in the eention of V3 inia in 178s, on the ad in ort y Gassltoa ronibound ia one. Peters wee cords 116 tDe Hassi ir) of Munich, Treatise on the Rearing of Silk Worms, published by the Hous e of Re epresentatives. Washington, 1828. (Pamphlets, ses vol 5. ) (2 copies.) 116 *De Witt (Benj.) M Catalogue of Minerals contained in the Ca net of the late B. De Witt, Professor of Mineralogy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ne w-York, consi more tha pecimens, collected in Eur rope and America. Albany, 1820. ht lets, 8vo. vol. 3. ny soe" = The ee of Perspective, by Simeon De Witt, 8vo. 1 Albany, 8 +Dickson nia A iculture, ora Complete System of Modern “4 Husbandry, by R. W. Die kson, M. M. D. i hew edition, 4to. 2 vols. London, 1807. 119 Be vccoreeesel Fares General View ot fo sa Wane! s of the the Board of up for con “ea of the ie 3908s of Soe nbd J Ee IeCn ~The Commercia e of Great Britain, exhibiting a com- te viev » Streets, Roads, C nals, Aqueducts, Bridges, Coasts Lae gira pt of this country, r the Baron Dupin, Member of the Institute of France, &c. &c. Translated from the shee ag in 2 vols. Svo. with a quatics ‘Atlas of Plans and Elevations. London,1825. 121 denied County Society for the eee of Agriculture, Transac- tions of, vol. 7, 1807, : “e Pamphlets, 8vo. vol. 1.) - Edton Amos) Index to the gece of the Nort hern States, with es "Nea ‘ ee ~ , extending from | usquehanna River eae care Ss il! Mountains, to which is pret xed a ? 3 para Pig Arnos Eaton, A. M. Lect clurer ot Nat eee : baa Troy circle &e. 24 ily written over 2 rey seta 12mo. (3 — Zool Tat Bok composing Cuvier's four Grand ms ved Linnean Genera, arrang- ptothe¢ and Orders of Cuvier and Latreille. ‘Pre- 13. - spared for Rensselaer aro and the yr oa — Roouty by Ainvos Eaton, 12mo. Albany, 18 124 a ( Amos) Manual of a 12mo. besiy 1817. ng copies.) Do. with Botanical Dictionary, 12mo. New-Haven, 1817 125 sain (Amos) Chemical Instructor, 12mo. Albany, 1822. 126 see ated Geological Survey of Rensselaer comty: Albany, (Pamphlets, 8vo. vol. 3.) 127 Eaton ca Geological Survey of Albany County. Famphicts, 128 wn (Amos) Geological and Agricultural Survey of the District wae the Erie Canal, 8vo. Albany, 1824. (Pamphlets, 8vo, "3. ‘ 129 tBights tis og. igh Journal for the years 1813—14. Kept i in the City of Albany, by ‘Dr. Jonathan Ei ights. (M.S. 1 vol. folio.) 130 tEmerson. The bP of Mechanics, explaining and str ing the General Laws of Motion, by William Emerson. So ge 4to. l vol. London, 1811. 131 {Emmons — M. D.) Manual of Mineralogy and Kaclage, Timo. Albany, 18 132 +Emporium a Ants sn Sciences, (first series,) by J ohn pear ig Coxe, M. D. and P. 2 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1812. (Two copie 133 Sn of Arts a Sea Ce Dick sien 8 by zooms Cooper, + ae _ z Fm tae ae es Pr oe sPncyelpetiay new an ee caighele: ee the vols, New-York, 1805 to 1811. 135 *Exp S| Sculpture, Architec pom ati br career vieabs-éyeuce ie an Musee Royal Des Arts 1835 Aout, 1819, 12mo. ‘Paris, 1819. (Pamphlets, 12mo. ee ~ 136 *Exposition pee: des products de l'industrie F du Louvre. Annee, 1819. Paris, 1819. (Pamphlets, 1dio. men so 137 oe ees G.) New callie Gardener, by, 12mo. Boston, 138 | . The gear RA of aovlvey, or a general view of the Struc- » Functions an of Ani sects by John Fleming, D. &c. &e. Poms vob Edin inburgh, 1822 139 Frank or and American Mechanic’s Magazine. Edited by r. Thomas P. Jones, 4 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia, 1826—27. 140 fre reese J iad of ms of the State of ae ete: Edit- ed by Thomas P. Jones, M. D. 2vols, 8vo. Philadelphia, 1828 141 +Genet (E. C.) 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Doctor in Philosophy and the Arts, and Honorary Member of the Im a pase University of Wilna, &c. &c. Se6bud pe merican, from the last London edition, considerably improved and augmented, Ad vols. ‘sia New-¥o ork, 1821, es S the Mi Menbuste on Bead for vrais fe taht perfe ef rin aareartanas in las SS Deser — of the © Skeleton of the Fossil Deer of Tre- land, Cervus Megaceros, drawn up at the instance of the Committee of Resrai ca of the Royals Dublin Society. Dublin, 1825. 7 ts, 5.) 154 tHassel. Tour of the an nd Junction, illustrated in a series of En- gravings, with an Historical and Topo ical Description of those parts o » nails of Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedtordhie and oy ral yg re, through which the Canal pace 3, by J n, 181 185 “aitte: Light, Electricity and Magnet a Treatise on, as being on Be ferent de t eae of one Element. Combeant, (Mass.) 1s, ee Henry. 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Transactions of the Society for the peomoren of, in the State of New-York (a continuation of the Transactions | ty for the promotion of Agiclare) 3. a oe 8v vo. “acy, 1807, _ 1814, 1816 and 1819. a oeeiinaiaatn re Counties and Towns in which , 1824, (Pamphlets, 12mo. vol. 1.) erner. A Treatise on the External Characters of Fons lated : an of Abraham Gottlob Mee! Profess of M Miner- alogy. Public Teacher of the Art of Mining in ea! Mine Academy y. By Thomas Weaver, 8vo Dublin, Bi Society. Memoirs of, val 1 fot yea , 181 ae vol. 3, ig17—20, cS RE RS se re a ie eR FF tie oe Sed _ dary between the United Pe the - Majesty in America, &c. 4 rilad , 323 eee s (James) wae of Sir J rhea ols, Kant. LL.’ D. 4 e President of the Royal Academy, ni Philadelphia, 1817, 324 {Stevens’ (W.S. Homographia, an Essay on the Peeilection $ of the Hu man Body, hitherto unknown or undescribed; 8yo. eee 1811. LA “List of Midavs to the Library OF THE Se eed sented by them respective ys i The Board of Agriculture, London—No. 41, 119, 158, 312 The American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia 16, 17, 18. The Academy of eaten ronan ew: Yorke 20,1 The Lyceum a ew-York- 5 tio, UE RE, Cone yaa sheep aif in se Literary and Philos . cay at Society, ries Massac York Hi: society as Bs romo sil Spates Dut Kerieulte ty ve ia ‘Seriets na sroianting cag Stephen Van Rensselae , Oliver agg ego ah Tow Charles R. Webster, "Richard V . De W itt, Samuel M. ‘Depkion 7 Walsh, Charles E. Dudley, Israel Smith, aves Henry and T. Rew Bec , 10, 24, 27, 89, 42, 43, 47, 50, 51,53, 54,55, 66,57, 59, 60, Sings, 63, 67, 97, 98, 99, Ls 105, 120, 138, 139, 147, 1é 162, 16 169, 173, 1 7, 182, 186, 190, 19 207, 13, 2 2 y4 296, 298, 299 808,207 313, 314, 318, 32 321, x Edward C. Delavan and J ohn T: ’Norton—73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80,81, §2, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 187, 176, 223. Ebenezer Baldwin— 951, 252, ‘ . #H. ck TR on yn Bec shat ee 124, <1, ioe eas 0, 256, 2 3, 294, 297, 311 1, 320. OES Richmond Brownell—156 William age cin a Walter Clark Charles A. Clinton—70, By 6 Fe E. De Kay, New-York —276, 282, 283, eogiaae, | V. De Witt—7, 116, aa ee ~~ (the first 14 vols.) ts ae _ 24 Edmo ad U. Genet—141, 142, 143 144, 145; to PS n, Philadelphia— a—239. SES Gdesones om : a A Joseph Henry— ee me Hoo oe 236. ed « ub David Hosack, New-York—15, 160, 161, 3 - Chevalier vat Kirekh off, Antwerp—174. = Stewart Henry J. Lin ao Weare C. Little—185. Robert R. a 193, 290. John = tt— James Low Ibs, 1 Frederick J. Maye ae r— Pont Mease, Phiadelphia—236, 255. Duncan M’Kercher—157, 323, 324. Robert | M’ Millan 149. Samuel L. Mitchill, New-York-—26, 29, 31, 44, 48, 66, 93, 107, 118, 166, gees 7 8 he 215, 2 6, 229, 267, 300, 301, 316. Joseph P. } 997, apeacieee Pattee, Poughkeepsie—198. S. Shankland—322. ; fay ly, ree Be ee Killian K. Van Rensselaer—92. Stephen Van Rstncisnr 15 94, et a: 127, 128, 278, 308. ; Stephen V ise Rensselaer, jun’r. mee: 2, 159 John B. Van Schaick and Matthew H. Wehatam ak. 178, 224, 2. Sha hai d Geo orge We bster—103. Charles ebster— Matthew H. Ww ebster—49, ae 122, 125, 155, 225, 246, 265, 266, 269, 317. Websters and Skinne. 25 History of the Institute, WITH AN ABSTRACT OF ITS PROCEEDINGS. S citetitatianall a As the Albany Institute is composed in part of two in- corporated Societies, it may be proper to preface its history with a brief account of them The ‘ Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures,” was formed in February, 1791, at the city of New-York, the (then) seat of government of this state, and incorporated i in 1793. Of this body, Robert R. Livingston was the first President, and continued so until the year 1804, when its act of incorporation expired by its own limitation. it was then re-incorporated under the title of the ‘* Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts," by the act of the Legislature of the state of New-York, whick forms the first article in this Appendix. Of the labors of this Society, it would be i improper to say more. Ba Bo four octavo vo umes, co u its different sessions, have been published ; that it is ace knowledged to have exerted a most beneficial influence upon the agriculture of the state—and that i it was for fiy years the organ of the Baty in a premi iums improvements in domestic manufacture ae The “ Albany Lyceum of Natural History,” was formed and incorporated in 1823, for the promotion of the objects mentioned in its title, under the presidency of Stephe Rensselaer. Confining its labours to the — and extension of the Enow idee of the natural sciences, and more particularly of the natural productions of eur own state, it succeeded in orming a Museum, embracing respec~ table collections in the various branches, especially mine- ralogy, geology and oryctology. So eagaarmat a on which it is not necessat orpo tion, rabeeooails ed and whic Setting the fetes: of this Appendix. On the Sth of May, 1824, the —— the election of the following persons as officers : 29 Stephen Van Rensselaer, Presiden Simeon De Witt, President of the First ; Elisha Jenkins, a of the — s officiis, Vice President William Mayell, ee fe Peter root and foe Tl Ge. i Corresponding Secreta Henry W. a and oy ae Matthew Henry Webster, Hecordaam =thek Richard Varick De Witt, Matthew aoe Webster ‘and Curators. James Eights | | A joint Comittee, previously appointed to examine the libraries and collections of the two Societies, and to make prate Soe thereof, reported that the library of the First | nt (or Soc peters Fall fs We +) “ . oth rs r F 7 A) ee < a ae i * eh aH 7] } aS \d that of the Second Department (or Albany Lyceum,) of 52 2 volunie, including amnpblets:* e€ committee further reported, that the collections in Natural History and the Arts, belonging to the First Depart- ment, consisted of 394 specimens, obtained either by pur- chase, or presented by the following persons, viz.—De Witt Clinton, Jonathan Eights, Henry W. Snyder, Edmund C. Genet, John Lansing, Jr. Jacob Green, Matthew Henry Webser Theodric Romeyn Beck, Vinal Luce, Sylvanus “That the collections in Natural History and the Arts, be- longing to the Second Department, consisted of 1473 speci- — Eat the botanical collection) case a8 the following persons, ee 1 Van lac an F nsselaer Se Jr. y, David" 1a L omeyn Beck, = “De © Witt Bloodgood, Jacob ao ewis ©. Beck, Matthew Henry Webster, Winslow-C. Wat- son, Ceotee W. Bush, James Eights, Isaac Doolittle, Wil- liam Cooper, Mordecai Morgan, Samuel K. Kip, John C. Whiting, Ten Eyck Gansevoort, J. Smyth Rogers, Ebene- zer Baldwin, Joseph Henry, Jolin I. Godfrey, John Gris- ta gaa VU. Titus, Elkanah Watson, Thomas arr hice ana ca ee pee ere 2 Eph) s consisted of 277 volumes, - al ra aeee SS as % Fe & a > ates h kins, Tiothy D. Wikon, Peter Seton “a Inman, James P. Boyd, Stephen V. R. Bo- "ta Ashbel S. Mond James G. Tra- jotis t eferculata, a dried specimen of the pulmo- naria vaeiien and a betel nut; from Samuel M. Lock- wood, alabaster from Sandusky, Ohio ; from the President, Van Rensselaer’s canal rocks, part 1, 8v0. ; ; from the Amer- ican Philos. Society, catalogue of its library, Svo. July 14. The following donations were received : From Benjamin Knower, native sulphur, produced by the decom- position of pyrites, red ochre, and sulphate of magnesia, Guilderland ; from Volkert P. Douw, brown ochre, from Glenville, Schenectady county ; from William Mayell, coins and continental money ; from T. R. Hae a suite of Amer- ames Eights. of imsects. copper coins ; | I species 0 Lewis C. Beck deposited the right neo the unio crassus, ad var. gi Rome proposed by BroHEREt he shemerated and raed the specimens in the Museum of the Institute, belonging to the three genera of a calymene and paradoxide. Heal- so mentioned, that he was unable to refer come of the spe- cimens in the ihiacain to either of the genera of Brongniart. The collection embraces the following localities -Wiciiiey of Cincinnati, Ohio ; southern shore of Lake Ontario; Cana- joharie, ke Saad co. ; Hudson ; Crown Point, Essex co. ; Helderbergh mountains ; Coeymans, Albany co. ; hacheies: ‘Monraé co. ; Seneca, Ontario co. This com- munication was accompanied by drawings, John R. Bleecker, ieponied the s specimen of calymene . Nite a of Brongniart, from which the reese cast, © t to that naturalist, by Dr. Hosack, and used by him in describing the species, was taken The locality of this SE pecimen is Ulster county, New-York, and not as stated by nal, as 8, Pp. - 83.) és Mr, neh oan Montreal, lakes Seneca and Ontario, have a smooth coat of limestone, grali- 28 ular or sparry, which conceals the abdominal joints and lobes, and exhibits only the relieved outline of the cast; but in a few, their structure is still discernible, as is well exem- plified in a superb specimen, in ihe possession of Dr. James, ' of Albany, in which, in fact, the greater part of this covering has disappeared. The largest American asaph which I have seen, is that of Dr. James.” William Mayell read a paper on the processes used in at making. | In this communication, the author, who is a practical artisan, stated that the processes used by the hatter are me- chanical and chemical. The former are similar in all coun- by means of the hatters’ processes, and in order to improve m 8 . ter used in boiling. The alkali in this or similar substan- ces aids in promoting the contraction or shrinking of the hat, and upon the success of this, its fineness and firmness depend. It is however, a very uncertain process, and workmen frequently fail in it. Mr. Mayell is inclined to ascribe the variety in this case to a want of attention to the proportions © that have been found most effective. The quantities of sub- stances containing either the vegetable or volatile alkali, which are used in successful experiments, should be noted. . Another difficulty attending the mechanical operations is the danger of shrinking too much. ‘If the hats be noi well boiled, their texture will'be loose, and it will be impos- sible, perhaps to shrink them to the required size. On the other hand, the boiling, aided by the wetting and rolling, may Cause too rapid a contraction, and yet, if the latter pro- cesses be discontinued, the texture of the hats will be coarse 1 harsh.’ . =a To retard the shrinking, brewers’ dregs are frequently employed by some manufacturers, while others use them di- rectly for it. The reason of this diversity of result is thus explained : These dregs when fresh, contain a quantity of | applicatic n will thus effect the first object. But if they 1a d a considerable time, fermentation has gone on, : - = * rm, aa a fet oarees Fee — ; d nd acetous acid in a greater or less degree, is e , oe se = Re a ten a LERa S Cue a 29 ‘This acts like the be go acid, and if mixed with the water, will accelerate the king. ** Beer and adial pri are generally used by the ime don hatters, in the manufacture of fur hats, for the purpose of mellowing their hats and of removing the harshness that results from the use of the sulphurous acid.” Mr. M. remarks, that the Indian method of cect bea- ver skins, is to steep them in the ley of wood ashes, contain- ing of course a notable portion of potash. September 1. The following donations were received : From the Academy of Natural Sciences = Philadelphia, vols. 2d and 3d of its Journal ; from Peter S. Townsend, a collection of marine shells and corals sit the Bahama Islands, crystals of salt from the salt ponds of Crooked Isl- and ; from Lewis eck, a black lead coim, trilobite, and cast, Rochester. Monroe county ; from James Eights, speci- mens of organic remains, from the falls of Genesee river and the Helderbergh, salamandra punctata, Montgomery co. and s. erythronata, from Albany ; from Stephen V. R. Bleecker, rattles of the crotalus horridus; from Henry W. Snyder, a collection of engravings and drawings, two spe- cimens of agate, from the falls of St. Anthony, on the Missis- sippi ; from Richard Varick De Witt, a living specimen of the teatide ferox, Pennant, (trionyx ferox, Say,) from Cayuga lake, silver penny of Charles I. ;.from T. Romeyn Beck, calymene blumenbachii, Ohio, 27 foreign copper coins, polished slab of marble, containing encrinites, from Cherry Valley, petrifactions from do, suite of supe from Phillipstown and Coldspring, Putnam county ; from Thomas Mather, asphaltum, Island of Trinidad ; from — James Macauley, a collection of mineralogical and g geologic- al specimens, from the interior of the state of New-York ; proaching peat, Delaware and Chesapeake canal; froma lady, Hamburgh skilling, 1759, (silver) Gibraltar quarto ; from M. H. Webster, a catalogue of the mee disec — ee ed in the state of New-York, 28 copper coins and julus dentatus, from Guilderland ; from R. Webster, Saale Clinton, polyphemus, from Long Island ; from De Witt C aenerve specimen of the hirundo fulva, Viellot; from the nt, a collection of eenlagacak ioe from Sa Joseph H ilver d one copper coin; from John §. Phillips c of Philadel. phia, 29 species of marine shells. The Hon. De Witt Clinton communicated a description of the testudo ferox, identifying the living specimen in the possession of the Institute, with that species. 30 Ones 13. The fo ollowing donations were received : testudo and nine petrifactions ; from T. R. Beck, stalactite (polished) from Mitchill’s cave, Montgomery county, nitrate of soda from South America, sundry specimens of salt made by various processes, at Salina; from R. Webster, a Russian coin, (silver) ; from H. W. Snyder, eleven silver coins, one copper do. and an egg shell of the ostrich ; from Barent S. Boyd, coral from W. Indies ; from John Finch, fossil echi- nus in chalk, from England; from Ebenezer Baldwin, four shells of mother of pearl, Panama, 8. A. ; from Peter Seton Henry, organic remains in limestone, Amsterdam, Mont- gomery county ; from Joseph Henry, specimens of litho- graphic printing on satin ; from James Eights, trilobites and other organic remains in limestone, Canajoharie, Mont- gomery. COUN. 3 from Beck, Eights and Webster, sixteen 3 nic remains from the Helderbergh ; from Peter PC oon, dried plants, from Franklin county; from Lewis C. Beck, organic remains, from St. ee Missouri, Rome, Oneida county, and Rochester, Monroe county. James E. De Kay, of New-York, communicated a notice of the testudo ferox, Pennant. . T. R. Beck read a notice of the nitrate of soda, recenny discovered in South America. _ October 30. Joseph Henry read a communication on the chemical periments designed to illustrate the great reduction of tem- perature in steam of high elasticity when suddenly expand- oe Bs V. De Witt read a communication on the history of steam | various - and e red d odifi , Which he sissented to the Institute. ~The working model of a Watt and Bolton’s steam engine, loaned by Mr. George Birkbeck of New-York, was exhib- ited, and its different parts explained by Joseph Henry. Ni ovember 10. The following donations were received : | From Professor. Horace Webster, of West Point, — | als, from that place and its vicinity ; ke De Kay, M. D. of N ew-York, sixteen ¢ one silver and Bye copper coins 5 81 rom C, N. Bement, four species of testudo; from A. S. Webster, galena, ba of 1e Fe’ er ri river, N. W. Territory, and carnelian from $ Peter, Mississippi; from Henry I. Linn, memoirs of ie Philadelphia § Baciery for Promoting Agriculture, vol. 1st; from Samuel Webster, a sheet of pa- per, 21 feet long, manufactured at the Brandywine mills, Delaware ; from . Beck, dried plants from the vicinity of Albany, and kelp manufactured at Salina; from Simeon De Witt, sulphuric acid from a spring on Grand Island, ara river ; from Major Delafield, New-York, specimen of the root of afer from St. Michaels, Azores, (used i in fill- ing matrasses. ) ecember 29. The following donations were received : m H. W. Snyder, Haytian silver coin ; from James Eichts, a species of testudo ; from M. H. Webster, a (fragment of a large crystal,) ‘Chester, Penn. and othe erals ; from Duncan M’Kercher, organic remains, ia Liy- ingston county. M. H. Webster read an account of the processes employ- edi in the manufacture of paper. ta Bec | t fe a communication on lead ad lead mines, including a minute account of the lead mines of the Western States. January 12, 1825. L. C. Beck read the seat part of his communication onthe lead mines of the Western States. A paper (selected) by the late John Shaw of London, on preventing the evaporation of spirits from preparations, was also read. As the author’s anatomical pursuits oe him to test the value of various applications, and as the subject is often a perplexing one to those engaged in the: study of natural history, we republish his directions. “A piece of whalebone, such as is used by the si makers, is to be cut to the diameter of the jar, -the two are then to be nicely filed down to the shape of the sicivedt surface of the inside of the rim, so that they may rest E upon the the bottle, but not project over the edge—to nicks in this walebone, the different threads, or still better, horse hair supporting the sab eb, are to be attached. ‘The jar be- aa now filled to the top, the rim is to be dried, aw then smeared with a weak glue. A portion of an ox’s bladder, which has been soaked in water for two days, is to be imme- = a over the mouth of the jar and is to be bound firm twine, which is to be applied in a quantity sufficient to pres the bladder r tightly a <2 —— of the rim. The is the exposed to a current of air, that the bladder may dy quickly ‘the fllowing doy, a piece of the sheet er > tc be rubbe bed ast a thin glue, and ce af b ris | tobe applied and secured in the same manner eo ay ‘The preparation may then be set aside, and ina few days the espe is to be taken off and the two portions of bladder are to be neatly cut, about a quarter of an inch from the rim; the twine is then to be waxed and again applied over the bladder. The top and neck of the } jar coach painte ANNUAL Mastika. Feira 2, 1825. The insuiinte met for the election of its o Se Mes A report was made, stating that the Third De (that of History and General Literature) had been organiz- ed during the present season. The followi ing officers were elected in the respective) De- partments. 1st Department, Simeon De Witt, President. Jonathan Eights, Ist Vice President. Joel A. Wing, 2d Vice President, wulinn —Prbarchee Preamares The Institute hen. eede ee the « iSlecdon of office cers, when STEPHEN Van fk she se was chosen President, pec WILLIAM Mave. ~'T. Romeyn Beck read a communication on the nature an properties se gor peers accompanied with experiments on that substan Foire 16. The following donations were received : : m Basset, ot Seas emis county, ) tp m Dr. James M’- aah: : “froin Picker Hadley, trilobites - from Norway (Herkimer county,) and Williamsville, ( bengete -county,) also petrifactions eanivaled) from Adams, (Jeffe son county) from William Cooper, fourteen copper coins and two silver coins. Among the former was one with the inscription of S Ms Ears ag Lager 1791,” probably among the first struck at the United States mint, as ue die of which was C acai by Gen. Washin ; from M.. HH. Web- ster, “fossil alcyonium, from Wiltshire, "Englands alti juills of the Hystrix dorsata ; from T. Romeyn Beck, bituminous coal from Tioga, (Pennsylvania. ie Cyrus M. Stebbins, corr nber, communicated _ ceca d growing in the vidas of the oy of ina, Arabis hispida, Arum draconti com, Are rgi ink enium ruta-muraria, Asplenium mon , Bro us, Cactus opuntia, — acuminata, ‘Cimi- serpentaria, Convallaria angustifolie lar Corydalis fungosa, Cyrbidium Iyer, ‘Dideaes: i virginianum, Gerardia pedicularia, Glycine -comosa, iu Sota: Gratiola officinalis, Gratiola -pubes- 7 Kalia lat aii, Lemna trisulea, Ligusticum levisti- Liriodendron tulipifera, Ludwigia alternifolia, Mimclus alatus, oe procera, Orchis eris- 34 tata, Orchis lacera, Orobanclie uniflora, Orontium aquaticum, Polygala viridescens, Polygala sanguinea, yrs falcata, Ranunculus reptans, "Sarothra gentianoides, Sparganium sim- plex, Sparganium natans, sion palustris, Hetvrantlants reniformis, Helianthus strumos Y eck read a Soniupiwion on the bituminous coal of Tioge, (Pennsylvania.) A quantity of this mineral was received in January, 1825, from Mr. William De Zeng, of Ceneye with the following account of its topographical situatio “It is found at and near the cae branch of the Ti river, in the town of Govington, Wayne county, Pennsylva- nia, and about thirty miles south from Painted Post, and fifty miles south west from Elmira, (both in Tioga countys) in the of New-York, following the course of the ri r. Itwas rst discovered about the —- 1796 ak a ae Benj njamin P i outa. Ye the course ag eet ern he found the coal on the top of a hill, where A wind had blown over trees by the roots.” at Though the existence of this coal was thus known for years in the vicinity, yet the abundance of wood throughout the Surounding country, and the want of a good navigable COD: ce to distant markets, had hitherto prevented rubs at: tention to it. Blacksmiths near the spot have however. aa with success for some time e colour of the Tioga coal is velvet black, and i its a tre rer Tt is soft and easily frangible, soiling the fingers.. Indeed, in external appearance, it is difficult to tinge n what i is generally Ailed cite gravity a e experiments on 1 Sine were ape i, a ween i ounce in nd th heat of a cortabie Re furnace i Gas soon appear | had the peculiar smell of carburetted hydrogen, when obtain. from bituminous coal, alt though there was less of petroleu oe. the surface ‘than i is usually observed. When two were obtained, the process was stopped. . laving beer 35 /M. H. Webster read a description of the Hystrix Dorsata, or North American porcupine, with observations on its habits, — of a specimen in the Museum of the Institute. — L. C. Beck continued the reading of his communication on the lead mines of the Western States. ~ March 2. The following donations were coceivetl: From Solomon Van Rensselaer, iron pyrites and bituminous shale from: the vicinity of Albany; from M. H. Webster, fossil tes from the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay ; fossil turitella from Fort Washington, on the Potomac; specimens tertiary formation of Maryland; English silver goin of U7 1786; from William Cooper, Maryland paper money, Simeon De Witt read a communication on the functions of the moon, as deduced from the total eclipse of the sun on the 17th of June, 18 _ Mr. De Witt also presented a drawing Descotin, of the aré zo S00, during the above Mlinovs, where it is found in abundan When com with the specimens described by Mr. Backen in 6 Silliman’s poo 118, it appears to be of much more es soar di- Of these the largest weighed fifteen ounces 2.9 inches 1 in diameter, 4.8 * length ng, me. 4. 5 breadth ; diameter of posterior cicatrix, one inch, and depth, 1 of an os — Beck’s — measures : 3.4 inches in diameter, Ay LAT ASS ae ge? ee = eae 4. 7 cc <4 length, te See 14 a = 17 “ © breadth ; ie , 1 inch in diameter, and. 3 of an ) ee pigs ae ated ‘hires shells which > De- son, nebo ipo _ One of these has sabeeneearaien ; con J 36 described by Mr. Barnes, as U. alasmodontina, ams by Mr Lea, 1 in nt ‘Trans. Am. Philos. Soc. as 0 a ae compres- Sa. sgioungh Henry read a communication on the production of cold by the rarefaction of air, accompanied with experiments. ~ One of these experiments most strikingly illustrated the great reduction of temperature which takes place on the sud- den rarefaction of condensed air. Half a pint of water was poured into a strong copper vessel, of a globular form, and having a capacity of five gallons—a tube of one-fourth of an inch in caliber, with a number of holes near the lower end, and a stop-cock attached to the other extremity, screwed into the neck of the vessel : the lower end of the tube dipped into the water, but a number of the holes were above the surface of the liquid, so that a jet of air mingled with wa- ter might t be threw. som tt as fountain. The apparatus was hen charged wi ndensed air, by means of a powerful con- ensing pump; eet the ceca Was estimated at nine atmos- ets: during the condensation, the vessel became sensibly warm. After suffering the apparatus to cool down, to the temperature of the room, the stop-cock was opened ; the’ air rushed out with great violence, carrying with it a quantity of water, which was instantly converted into snow ; after a few , the tube became filled with ice, which almost. 3 stopped the current of air. The neck of ally | , so as to allow the condensed air to out around the sides of the screw ; in this ea, the ticineel. ture of the wleil atmosphere was so much reduced, as to freeze the remaining water in the vessel ; the wheres and pas atom a time became so co » that the fingers gers © the | latch of a door, on an intensely ‘initia. T This ox xperiment was exhibited to the Institute within six feet of 2 | alive st48, id in a room, the temperature of which was not less than eighty degrees of Fahrenheit’s thermometer. March 16. Frederick Matthews read the firs t part of an historical account of the seeige Institutions of the i ol . ©. Beck concluded the reading « of his per on ; in hie per the author need » with « a not te 3 ee a Sats o ve rale s | ame — es the richest ef he a a 37 of the mineral kingdom, as occurring in the lead mines of Scotland—viz. the absence of fluor spar as a matrix, was stated to be mF art in a good degree to our own country. ‘‘ Fluor spar, it is true, is found associated with the sulphuret of lead at the cttieaeapton mines ; but it is in very small ities, and by no means constitutes the matrix. It also occurs with galena at Shawneetown in Illinois ; but in’ extensive lead mines of Missouri and the Upper Missouri, it ~ not been discovered. with Roman inscriptions,it is supposed that they were wrought by the Romans. lh the sipiied Sian Se the different ores of lead occur in va- 1 _ Atlantic States, from paina:4 to he ak states of Maine and “Vermont, galena occurs in small quanti- no mines have as yet bee ton, es miles southwest from Northampton, and- about the same distance from the Connecticut river, some time ‘to the revolutionary war, but it was neglected for upwards of Sety:gears. It was again opened in 1809. Professor Silli- ; a in Bruce's Minerological Journal. A more it has been given by Prof. FBitchoook in the 6th i of the American Journal of Science. In Connecticut, galena occurs at Middletown and at Eapingto> — with abe copper, ina gangue of quartz and sulphate of barytes. mines which were formerly opened at both these ix ouabain since At Huntington, in- : prea for the silver which it contains, “ ’ which itis is said amounts to 3} per cent. In New-York, the ores of lead are beemiation; in which the . | arbo ate, phosphate, molybdate, and i eipheies of fied, blende, several ores of copper, — red oxide 1 Virgin of lead aaa 38 state, in which, ‘according to Mr. Jefferson, the ore is accom- a small proportion of silver, and yields from 50 t 80 per cent of pure lead. n passing mestoenas, pepaeas localities of the suiphirll of 1 might be enumerated in the state of Ohio, Indiana, Ken- ky and ees au in neither of these is it found in icient quantities to warrant mining operations. In [lli- nois, a short distance below Shawneetown, a lead vein occurs in a gangue of fluor spar of great variety and beauty—a cir- ce, as has already been remarked, somewhat uncom- mon in our country. The ore is the common galena, of sin- | ad richness, and entirely destitute of silver » The chief object of the present communication being a no- tice of the valuable lead mines of the Upper Mississippi, a a ticular descript efaced by a rapid sketch of ae ae ry, which in fact forms an epitome of that * the try bordering on the ** Fa : ~ After the discovery of the Mississippi river by the enter- prising ‘La Salle, settlements were soon formed on its eastern ° banks, to which indeed they were for many years confined. Here, engaged ir in the quiet pursuit of agriculture, the inhabi- on with the savages. But this state of things was destined to be of short duration. The in- fatuation which in the Repeating’ of the 18th century spread all over Europe, found its way also into the peaceful and seclud- ts of thé Mississippi. The dazzling prospect of zi = the precious metals, was fatal to every other pur- suit, and created in the minds of men a rage for adventures thirst for speculation.” _ “Such was s the situation of te | abtiers —— Sshentioned: report havin been raised onan ie adventurers, that ceed ps existed west of ting arent expedition was pre: pared by the governor of the colony, with a view to ascertain upon what it was founded. This expedition visited the mines on the upper Mississippi, erected a fort, and commenced a settlement ; but the ices of the savages were soon eX- zt ane the French found it prudent to abandon that pi the country. ir attention to the 39 to keep it out of the hands of his enemies, in 1712 granted it by letters patent to Anthony Crozat. In this grant were in- cluded the pee of the mines and minerals he should dis- cover ; ever, reserving to himself the fifth part of all the bullion of gold and silver, and one tenth of the pro- due of all other mines.” “ The first effective mining operations were conducted by ) Renault, who located himself about the year 1720, near Fort Chartres ; from-which he sent miners into various parts of the ‘surrounding country, The result of these frequent ex- rations was the discovery of those extensive mines at Po- tosi and on the St. Francois river ; and being now satisfied that no silver would be discovered, Renault turned his whole attention to the smelting of lead— which, for some time, ap- pears to have been vigorously prosecuted. 9 “« The complete failure of the Mississippi scheme, and the return to France of Renault and most of his workmen in 1772, ut a stop for a long time to the mining operations. At the se of the last. century, they excited the ; of the Americans ; and from that time until within a few ye since, they were extensively. and profitably worked. "But have now been abandoned for the r : tensive veins on St. Peter’s and Fevre rivers.” _ At Potosi the ore of lead is found imbedded in a peter ov stiff marly clay, varying in colour from a light brown toa deep red. It is also found in the limestone upon which this bed of mal reposes. The accompanying minerals are sulphate of re: m tes eee Spar, radiated quartz, (called by the mi- ners *‘ mineral blossom,”’) iron pyrites, sulphuret of zinc, and po ga of of lead. This vein of galena probably extends, without much inter- ruption, from. the focally just mentioned, nearly 600 miles in therly 3 rd miles in , bresitila a deems estag a Sr in ars who purchased from the Foxes a vat in W be the mine was included. Very little however T pate — adverted to the dispute concer ac Br of this ore. Sab octal ee 40 appearance of truth, that it is not in its original site, — that secumnasat this whole extent, the galena is out of plac ting aside the evidence of Mr. Schooleraft, and that Hetivel fim personal observation, that the ore is often found in the transi- tion limestone ; the fact that this immense body of lead, un- paralleled in the world, should be found as an accidental de- posit, would be quite too startling to the geologist. The clay above mentioned always reposes upon the transition lime- stone, and there is no doubt that it has been formed b integration of the rock which formerly constituted the bed of the ore. The abundance of the mineral so near the surface, has prevented the sinking of shafts, except in a few instances ; and hence it has been generally supposed not to exist at all in the rock stratum—a mistake into which a Keating, in in common with others, has fallen, from not D1 ¢ Borner < earsay evidence, oli or even st ens, can : be depended on in’ matters of this sort. E The : most extensive mining operations at present conducted on the Mississippi, are those of Fevre river, a short distance be- low Dubuque’s mines. hese operations commenced in 1822 ; previous to which, however, the mines had been quite extensively worked by the Indians. | eee the northern and southern points heretofore de- scribed, galena has been found in various places. But in ‘consequence of the vast quantity of the mineral found at up} t mines, and the | ease with which it can be obt rought to market, few researches have been made at the i in- termediate places. In general, the galena of this region eee from 60 to a pate cent of — lead, the aun age of which is icte rations it i eoamvs, the) y may be said to Be altopeth- r crude nice umectentifie. - Yet =06k are the abundance and richness of the ore, that many millions of pounds of the purest lead are annually sent down the Mississippi to New-Orleans, = the nce to the various other markets of the U. soo : 41 Mr. Genet also read a communication on the application of dhe to the aerial navigation of balloons. (This communi- cation, in an enlai form, has been published by: the author, under the title of “Memorial on the upward forces of Flu- yo se 8vo. 1825.”) DN . De Witt read a paper on the application of soap umi , to th manufacture of a water proof blacking. “ind this communication the author stated that in looking - _ over Gregory’s Dictionary of the Arts and Sciences, he had noticed the Pep tken paragraph, under the article Soap. “¢ Soap Alumina may be formed by mixing together Kniaeed alum and common soap. “Tt is a flexible, soft su which retains its suppleness and gee sd when dry. It is in- soluble in alcohol, water and oil. Heat easily melts it and reduces it to a beautiful, transparent, yellowish mass.’ aving for some time suffered j injury from shoes, ee el- ther too tight or of rigid leather, Mr. De Witt had recourse to the use o' buckskin shoes. They answered his ae? to So abi a and their neem to him. » suppleness 0 the leather and it oa were found to be preserved, ‘end it was salso made water proo: ‘The compound was prepared, by =e waiter, saturated ion See of its length. This vai an zee = se he as is done by cooks, in beating geggs. The boiling was then continued until the evaporation of the water left the com- eta of a proper consistence. A quantity of ivory black ehocoughly” ani ed with i | Aer treating tha bui uckskin shoes for some time with they could not be distinguistied’ from the ‘leather, ane they were sensdored ; impervious to water, by placing 2 a laye of the soap between the under and upper soals. _ A committee was appointed to prepare a détdiled report 4 proceedings of the Institute since its formation, with a er t of the donations to the pgeaets and ieee Wkeey Glo, Keg. 28° To ady hated Feb. 27, _— and ca by Sir Henry 42 Moore, then Governor of the colony ; from M. H. Webster, fibrolite from Pennsylvania, a snake preserved from Tonne- wanta creek, Unio, and a specimen of stained glass from the Old Dutch Church? Albany ; from James Ferguson, corres- yonding peed asbestus from Isle St. me Ras River St. r 3 Genoa B re ad tthe vicinity of one Oneida county. A box, containing 38 specimens of wool from France, was exhibited, illustrative of the utility of crossing breeds, in im- proving the quality of that staple. Mr. Simeon De Witt presented a table of variations of the nagnetic needle, at Boston, Falmouth and Penobscot, from 1672 to 1800, which he had obtained from the late Gesienet Serie (See Transactions, yol. 1, Art. 1.) - Lewis C. Beck read “ An account of the Salt Spring! at salina, Onondaga county, with a chemical examination of the water, and of several varieties of salt manufactured at and Syracuse.” This paper has been published 3 in the New. York Medical and Physical Journal, vol. 5. oe ss a ~ Ler is C. Beck also exhibited ex nts, il Bot the nature and properties of pure alcohol, Whi Mv of all the water that usually accompanies it. ~The Rev. John Chester was appointed to deliver the annu- al address. _ June 8. The following donations were received : : From J ) fo EB ta Pane Philadelphia, fossils from e ering niri or 43 fossil shells, from the tertiary formation of Maryland, with specimens of the formation. Most of the shells are describ- ed and figured by Mr. Say, in the J oan of the Academy of Natural Sciences, vol. 4; from Dr. Wendell, plates in Natural History from Rees? Cyclopedia; from Lieut. Birds- all, U. S. army, Columba Migratoria, (stuffed) and a large sponge from the Pacific. The committee appointed at a previous — PH onrnig the condition of the Museum and Library. From this it appears that since the formation of the Insti- tute, 89 mineralogical specimens, 45 geological, 103 of or- gages remains, and 338 zoological, had been added. —Total, Also, several collections of dried plants, with speci- mens in the arts, and $25 silver and copper coins, with 5 spe- cimens of continental paper money. To the Library, only 16 volumes and 6 pamphlets had been added. July 1. The fellate donations were coceived From Harman V. Hart, an ornamented Sioux pipe; from W. i. Bogart, a Canadian copper coin; from J. Trumbull cloth ‘salle from the bark of a tree in the Sandwich Islands, ee from J. Ogden Dey, an engraved of the northern part of the state of New-York ; from E. Van en, a map of the city of Albany; from Lewis C. Beck, several Indian ornaments, used by the Pottawatamies; from ne V. ved Witt, an Indian tomahawk ; from C. R. Webster, engr map of the city of New-York, made in 1767 ; from é Seely, a specimen of Cistuda, Al bany. ~The Rey. Dr. Chester, according to appointment, delivered the Annual Address, before a large and respectable audience, in the hall of the Academy. The subject was, the intimate union that exists between the promotion of religion and of science and literature, and the duty of all, as christians and triots, to promote those important ¢ Dee ale e request of the Society for its publication. ives Meetine, February 1, 1826. The lowing officers were elected in 1 the respective departments. : eae Department, = ‘Simeon De Witt, Pr esident. ‘ Eights, 1st Vice President, - Teal A. Wing 2d Vie ice President, Henry; W. . Snyder, Peotone iy sel T. Romeyn Beck, ? James ‘Stevenson, Lbs sol regory SET John Tayler, | phe ~ Charles R. Webster, . Counsellors. — : John S. Walsh, af Hugh Robison, ! | 2d Department. at Elisha Jenkins, President. : Matthew H. Webster, Corresponding eles _ Richard V. De Witt, Recording Secret tary “ foe M "Ke rcher » Trea i r, Careiee Cer Ebenezer Emmons, No election was held in the Third Depertnet and the offi- cers of last year consequently continued in office. StepHen VaN RensseLAER was aiad Paseidentya and Wrinwram Maye.i , Treasurer. : enry, . from ca cate from Gidea. Ha ci an uae map of the Albany pier and basin; from Joseph P. Mott, ness of West India ae and aan ee e New as oe ital, _fnd B looming : Bs a gti 7 ere , Paris; f 0 C. Beck, Boletus ignarius, iy Pitts. |, Mas: Breabiite from Windsor, V Vermont; Encrinites. are Septaria, from Rochester ; from James E. Jones, an Eng- lish silver coin, Pacey | eS from David Hosack, M. D. his Medical Essays 2 vol. Syo. ‘New-York, 1824; from Mm *Culloch, co copper coins and continental money ; ; from | Ww. Fé wett Hezekiah Skinner, William Stewart, Ji Glashan, Rensselaer Westerlo and Dr. Easeeeat forty-two ¢ pper coins; from | Aes Rey. Mr. Leonard, | Silas B Bulkley, conitiiemtad and colonia | Soke — Baldwin of New-York, Ship aa , from Carthagena, (South oon and ‘mother 1e East_ dies; from William G. Ver et 45 Westchester county; from Stephen Van ee jun., crystallized chromate of iron, from Baltimore; from Dr. Ja- cob Sherwood, of Newport, N. Y. Spisinstite in lime- stone, from the same place ; from Warner Daniels, calcareous ion, from a cave in Clarendon, Vermont, and a men of pets from Dr. W. Willoughby, of Newport, -Y. Europea preserved, recent shells from the Niagara riv- er, and madreporite from ‘the same ; ; from Rev. John Ludlow, peat from New-Jersey; from T. R. B eek, orthoceratite in limestone, from Trenton Falls; two anes crystals, contain- ing water from Newport, N. Y.; quartz rock, containing drusy cavities, with some of the ante coloured by anthra- cite ; trilobite and other petrifactions from do. ; also, Stew- art’s Elements of Natural History, 2 vols. Svo. From Wil- iam EK. Greene, graphite from Worcester, Mass. ; from Pro- fessor Douglass, of West Point, a large collection ce ininetels and fossils from the mcinity of Lake Huron and Lake Supe- rior, also, several minerals from West Point; from James xough, a Haytien silver coin (Petion); from James. redde of Geddesburgh, iron ore from St. Lawrence county; asbes- tus with tremolite, from De Kalb, Nuss ; from. om Ss. Parker, ‘spar w with strontian and echinite, om L ; from James M’Glashan, and Dr. Bhenever. five silver coins ; from Edward Livingston, galena in in-geaiias from Wolfhill Mass. : ; from James M. Gould , cloth meee SO, - mount haw : preserved, with a case ; from Charles D. Gillepsie, madre- porite from Wiltshire, (Eng. ); from Joseph W. Lee, of But- wees. fayosite from Fenner, (Madison ion ; from George Clinton, 25 specimens of minerals rom thie ars prin- sal those found at Ticon and Rock ; ; from vert ‘Sinclair, of ee (West des. sof Hooks, acoreed by Mr. Parker, i in British Giana oe 46 from James Elkington, the nets, dein = the condor, lately exhibited in this city ; from . Em an- cient Roman coins, obtained at Ry rachis, im tHe "Teil of Si- cily; 8 Specimens of crania of animals, and 22 insects; from 3enjamin Atkins, yeaa garnets and geodiferous quartz, from Saratoga Springs; snowy gypsum from Niagara, and pearl spar: and gypsum in their matrix, from Lockport ; from William Martin, a species of moss, growing on a maple, from Amsterdam, N. Y.; from James Geddes, amber found 34 feet below the surface of the ground, in the deep cutting of the Delaware and Chesapeake canal ; from Simeon De Witt, a gryphite and hematitic iron ore, from the same locality as the last; from Harvey Meech, a pigeon hawk, preserved. The above being an addition to the cabinet of 339 specimens, : "the collection of nae - specimen 0 the Proteus ( Fraahranchicr ey joer ae of "Har: ian) of Lake Erie, but that it survived only a few days, and is now preserved in spirits February 15. The following donations were received : from Samuel B. Barlow, spodumene ? ? from Granville, Mass. and several copper coins ; from James Eights, an ancient Ro- man, and a Nova Scotia coin; from George W. Clinton, al- seme Beck, a meteorological table for the year 1825, kept Albany ; from the New-Y ork Lyceum, Annals of do. No. iI: s ra Faines E. De Kay, M. D. of New-York, the follow- ing ’ pamphlets—Discours et Rapports lus dans laseance gener- ale annuelle de Societe Asiatique de Paris, a aie Ex- slique de Seciett de Piers | les, 1825- be aa ns : amailie de i "Gonketé i Ta orale Chretienne, Paris -1825—Instruction sur usage du vin de: Kinkina de G. Seen, Paris, 1824—Rapport fait a’ PA. 7% cademie des Sciences de Paris, 1829, par Cuvier sur I’ ou- ra eee M. J. V. Audoin sur le thorax des animals dn 1823; from the Literary and permet Seweniee Society, of New-York, volume 2 Part 1 of its Transacti = ee | ~ A communication was read from James Ged des, | el pe r, on the geological ecichaall the south side 0 ‘the Ontario Valley, (see Transactions, vol. 1, Art. VIII. zs : ion, from George W. Featherstonhaugh, on 47 _ “When the Canal was first going into operation, it was fre- quently observed, that travelling by land would be so much diminished, that the consumption of pouiics would rapidly de- crease, . The reverse is now said to have taken place ; and that tat taret are worn out in so improvident a manner upon | that the demand for them is greater than it has ever been. reat waste of these animals and their consequent sufler- ns s fallen under the observation of many intelligent and humane persons. It is not the interest of the OWDEES Ts of the the , SSSI eases where this is done, it is owing to an tant the principles, which should govern the adjustment of load and There is a maximum of useful effect, which a horse can produce without wasting himself prematurely. this is exceeded it must be at the expense of his constitution. These animals, so very serviceable to us, are certainly enti- tled to kindness at our hands, at least; and although it is sometimes important that property should be = irsraparted with beyond natural apes yet in , the pr which is conducted 3 require the de- struction of the agents a5 perform that service. | cere ees) aims at ex ‘upon which _ This paper aims at explaining the principles which their aetiae depends. The authorities which have been con- sulted for resultsof experiments, are the most approved prac- tical writers on the subject: and the sole aim of the commu- nication is todo some good to the animals, as well as to gon o 4 ‘The body of a horse constitutes his natural weight, and it is. muscular power he is enabled to move it; assuming the | average weight of a useful horse to be half a ton, and di- and ae muscular power into eight parts, each part would _ have 140 Ibs. to move; of which one is for pressure of the two parts out of eight of his muscular erce © of ‘whieh he he the has only six parts left for his action and Lem: The evidence of this is seen in the exertion which he makes upon such occasions. But before the resistance he has to overcome = gra of, it will be useful to oe i egres 48 come this resistance, which varies from a hundred to a hun- dred and fifty, and keep up the motion unimpaired, a power must be applied equal to that of the resistance. - Wherefore it is, that when an additional weight is attached behind him, to be moved by traction on alevel, a part of his natural weight pienso against the collar and traces, sufficient to overcome the resistance of the load. His remaining muscular force is oyed to keep up the motion thus produced. The natural aed of the animal thus divides itself into pressure to move oad, and muscular action to move himself in this state. The total power or strength of every horse having natural limits, it is evident, if the pressure is increased beyond its just limit, it must be at ‘the ex pense of the muscular power, which ~~ thus be untimely exhausted, and the utility of the animal stroyed before its natural period has expi 20 iniles day, he may certain load every da - many years: mad bgt st amount of labor a8 he will be sooner worn out. are therefore so to use a horse as to get as much beneficial effect from him as we can, at a speed which will not injure him. Hence arise the important inquiries; what ought to be every day’s duration said extent of a horse’s work, and how much load ought he to carry? It is found by calcu- lation, that the maximum of speed of an unloaded horse for ~ _ hour in every day is 14. 7m. on a level ; and that his maxi sity. Thus if an unloaded h orse can.gallop one hour a at the rate of 14 miles and seven pening, he can draw half of that distance in the same tim esi —— table, extracted from Wood, gives the law of the decrease 0 of speed 0 of an unloaded horse at 5 : zs resi ell a auoosese F 4 ‘ Bi ig sara up for 6 hours every ‘a i ie 49 the rate only of 6 miles an hour; and if 10 hours, only at the rate of 4.6m. When loaded, one half of that distance is to be taken; wherefore if a loaded horse is made to gO Six hours a day, his limit is 3. miles an ee if 10 hours, his limit is 2. miles and a a. an hou appears from a range ofe st paeaonith that the distance d by natural liter, is 20 miles a day for every day, for beneficial effect: this may be performed in ten hours, or any other period not less than two hours. It is stated by that scientific and practical writer, Wood, that heavy horses with a load, fall into the rate of two fiiiles an hour as their natural _ pace, and that lighter horses, under the same circumst increase that rate. This would seem to point to the conelu- sion that the respective rate of horses is as their own weights. It consists with observation that heavy horses find it conven- jent to move at a slow pace: on the other hand, some lighter animals of a keen spirit, are with difficulty broug ht to a mod- erate pace, when their load is not more than a just one.— premature stiffness of the sible investigation, thinks the average distance of 20 miles for every day, is best divided into six hours ; working three hours, and then, after an interval of rest, working three hours more.— a would furnish a rule of three and one third miles an Ke the object of this paper is to awaken attention to the abu- ses of horses in canal labor, in order to demonstrate the con- sequences which result from it, a brief comparison will be in- stituted of the nature of the motion on fluid and solid surfaces, And the : demonstration will be clearer if we examine t race ‘the sam upon pear robe: | tion of them oe feild: to be upon the smooth surface which i iron atforta Qn an iron road { the moving power, whether animal or mechanical, has little © 50 more friction to overcome than that of the axis. The friction therefore remaining always the same, it is evident that an in- crease of velocity may be obtained, without a violent exertion of the moving power. ‘That is to say, when a horse on a rail can draw ten tons comfortably at the rate of 34 miles an hour for six hours every day, if his motion is increasad to five miles an hour for four hours every day, his consequent wear and tear will be owing entirely to the change of pace; and will correspond to that natural wear and tear induced by the same change of pace in all situations. Itis not so on a canal. The force which the moving power has here to overcome, is not friction, but resistance of the fluid. This resistance in- creases nearly as the square of the velocity. All writers con- cur in this fact. Where the speed on the canal is not t erenior than three miles an hour, the resistance of the fluid t ceed the irieticn. of. the rail road ; but as the speed nal is inc iadhy? on a narrow one, the resis- tance is found to Mmerease, nearly as the square of the increase of the speed. Supposing the horse to be drawing his load o the canal, at the rate of two miles an hour, the Tesistance - that rate assumed, would be 150 lbs., it is evident, since by doubling the speed the resistance is quadrupled, that by in- creasing his speed to four miles an hour, the resistance is in- creased four times, and that the horse has, instead of 150 Ibs., no less than 600 Ibs. to overcome ; and if the speed is further pA se to six Aes pie resistance is ingreaed bey ‘ond. the na ca- ur De . On the latter, ever ing increase | of speed Sl os the destruction of the ioaral. which at any rate of speed in canal labor is at some disad- vantage, the line of friction being oblique to the direction of his motion. It results from the calculations on this subject, that where the rate of motion on a canal does not exceed two miles an hour, for 20 miles every day, a horse will draw three times as great a load as he can ona rail road; but whe peed is required to be at the rate of six miles an hour, for 20 mile eee: day, one horse on a rail road will do. the work of ree u canal. t ord te perceived therefore that the beneficial effects of a s labor, Ai oes Oa i ( e SY ARR ae 51 distance with the same load yt be increased without inj ing him. That upon a canal, a a horse may drag near 30 tons, for 20 miles every day, at the rate of two miles an hour; but that if his speed with that load is increased to four miles an hour, the resistance is quadrupled, and he is in fact made to do, i at that pie, the work of four horses. It is for the owners of those animals which perform canal labor, to see that the work is dene systematically, and after some rule, consistent with the consideration they owe to the animals which labor for them, in the which also their own interests are involved.” A communication (printed) from Professor Vanuxem; of South Carolina College, containing a mineralogical and geo- logical examination of the state of “South Carolina, was read. "Mr. M. H. Webster read a* translation of Baron Cuvier’s zoport made to the Academy of Sciences, concerning M. Au- douin’s work on the comparative anatomy of Insects. March 1. The following donations were received :—From the Board of Agriculture of the state of New thr Jesse Buel, secretary, memoirs of the board OF iculture, vols. 2 a nd 3: From the American Philosophical Society, ee transactions of said society, vol. 2, new series. | C. Beck read a communication on some new spe- cies of ie genus Rosa. A communication was received from the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, president, being a table of meteorological ob- servations kept at Washington, for 1825, by Rev. Robert Little. Dr. t. Romeyii Beck read a communication on insurance upon lives, as a branch of medical jurisprudence, (published *n the New-York Medical and Physical Journal, vo!. 5.) March 15. A communication from George W. Clinton, was read, being a description of the Hawk in the cabinet of the Institute. 'The only species to which this bird can be referred, are the phen ie or & Sancti-Johannis of Wilson. It differs in m the —— of these, but it is genus, may explain the variation. “This bird measures from the tip of one wing 0 the Sip at other, three feet eight inches; from the head to the ity of the tail feathers, twenty-two inches ; ts height is sixteen inches. It is known in the peeves Re of this city by pepea of the “Island Hawk,” probably from ing its prey in the low moist grounds near hati. 52 April 5. The following donations were received :—Bitu- minous coal from Nova Scotia, from George W. Feather- stonhaugh; favosite from Olean Point, and anadonta margi- nata, Erie canal, from James Geddes ; cast of an eucrinite, from the upper part of the Susquehannah, from Joseph Henry; two copies of a ‘‘ Memorial on the upward forces of the fluids, &c.” from Edmond C. Genet, the author Dr. T. Romeyn Beck made some remarks on the analysis of the impure limestone (hydraulic lime) used. in the con- struction of the locks of the Erie canal. This substance is found in large quantities in the western rt of the state of New-York. Its properties attracted at- tention shortly after the commencement of the excavations on e western route of the canal, and at the request of several fpotemen, Professor Hadley undertook a hasty or pes he it. The constituents noticed by sine were as follows : Lime 25 Silex 15.05 Alumine 16.05 Water 04 : Oxide of iron 2.02 98.2 _ Mr Henry Seybert published. an. i of this semen stance, in the second volume of the Transactions of the Amer: ican F Philosophical Society, new series, p. 229, viz: acid 39.3 Carbonic “ Silica 11.7% eats 2 _. Alumine.. YS ee oe See 8 _ Peroxide of iron. 2p RP ace nr eee Se py 25.0 ? , eS — 2 ~ Magnesia 17.8 ee Moisture 1.5 = aie ical urvey of of Profes county, p> 20. e analy- — Zeda as specimen a water limestone) from the Helderbergh, but by a vhich is not deemed the most ——— a. Se pened ovate of George the Third to parliament, deliv 53 found 25 per cent of carbonic acid, 26 lime, 28 silex, 2 wa- ter, 18 alumine and magnesia, and 1 iron. We did not de- termine the proportions between the alumine and magnesia. s there is about four per cent of carbonic acid unaccounted ‘onal is it not probable that it is combined with the magnesia. may not the same conjecture be hazarded respecting the western water limestone, analyzed by Professor Hadley, in which there was also some carbonic acid unaccounted for ?” Mr. Seybert’s paper was noe - July 1822. The geolo- gical survey was published in 1 _ Several specimens of native Beta S hydrogen gas from Fredonia and Portland, Chautauque county, were by Dr. Elial T. Foote ‘and Mr. Joseph Henry. passing it through the apparatus used in burning the artificial gas, it was found to yield a beautiful clear light, corresponding in colour with the purest forms of manufactured carburetted hy- April 19. The following donations were seitpiniala i— From his Excellency Governor Clinton, a bottle of the wa- ter used at the grand canal celebration ; from James La Grange, (a venerable citizen now deceased, ge sa peec 1774. This was printed at Albany, Febroary’ 9; 1775, aid is curious from its probably being the earliest specimen of printing done in Albany, that is now extant. It purports to be *‘ printed and sold at the printing-office in Barrack-street,” (nom Chapel-street) ; ; from Simeon De Witt, two specimens aulic mortar, composed of equal parts of water lime- stone and sea-sand, the one hardened under water, and the other hardened in the air, also a specimen of flat coral; from T. Romeyn Beck, a collection of fossils and minerals, from the vicinity of Liverpool, (Eng.) received through Dr. Weth- erill, of that place. Among these are the following : Seve- = specimens of ammonites, belemnites, nautilus, pecten, arca cardium, also jet, and alum shale. Mr. Richard V. De Witt read a translation of the: Hac i Sacy’s annual address before the Asiatic Society of Paris. 1827, January LA — curators and librarian ces of fom , Elkanah Watson, anthracite in quartz, Sete oe ; from the author, a manual of minera and geolog Byy ay Ebenezer Emmons, M. D., Albany 1826; from James 54 Eights, 117 species of insects collected in the vicinity of Al- bany ; from Leverett Cruttenden, the head of the groper fish from the West Indies; from Dr. Peter Wendell, John C. Backus, Warner Daniels, Charles R. Webster and William Caldwell, copper coins; from Dr. oe -_ Rionesoms axes, found in Connecticut ; from N. F. Beck, bituminous coal from Tryon county, (Pennsylvania) ; fas Prolaenet Vanuxem, Zircon i in aoe from Buncombe county, North Carolina ; rom Mitchell, a dress of an Indian chief, from the coast of California, made of various parts of the seal ; from - George W. Clinton, the cranium of an alligator from the south, orthoceratites in sand stone, from the Sault de St. Marie, cor- nu-madreporites in limestone, from the Erie canal, near Buf- falo, siren lacertina (menobranchus lateralis*) from Lake eae six species of salamandra _— - state of New-Yor Bichaee Mc a spec of coral; from the Leesa of Hi istry (Mowe YoRRy t the concluding numbers of ‘the Ist vol. of its Donate and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 of vol. 2; from the Chevalier Kirckhoff, of Antwerp, a treatise by himeelf, enti- tled “‘ Verhandeling over de Dampkringslucht, &c. Hoorn, 1826” ; from Chas. 8. Parker, Esq. of Liverpool, (Eng.) Chalmers? Alge Scotice, Ist vol. in folio, fruit of the Bignt- nia corymbifera, from Demarara, fruit of the Barringtonia speciosa, from Prince Edward’s Island, fruit of the Manacaria saccifera and Dipterix odorata, from Guiana, asterias from tl British seas, Echinus esculentus, trochus zizyphinus, mytilus saat anati inus, cardium edule, buccinum reticulatum, solen ensis, Tellina radula, Venus decussata, mactra subtrun- cata from Scotland, helix ovalis from Trinidad, and also a collection of British plants; from Stephen Sewell, Esq. of Montreal, a a oep of the city of Montreal, ‘by John Adams, 1825, in three large sheets ; from Richard Webster, a whee men (dried) of the bill fish of Lake Erie; from R. V. D Witt, a horn obtained in excavating the cellar of the building corner of Eagle and State-streets, Albany—this horn is about three feet long and appears to be of the antelope ; also,a fragment of the sheathing of a ship perforated by worms; from Anson H. Center, two specimens of cancer from the sea shore ; from T. Romeyn Beck, a bottle containing water from the St. Lawrence river, cordage made from the wood of the palm tree, (this was made in Canada in 1824,) breccia from the Island of St. Helens, Montreal ; marble, black and dove colour- ed from a te agate from the ‘shores of Lake Huron, -and opal from — a scone 8 quartz cr 55 shells, from Montreal, dog-tooth spar and crystals of quartz in GEnsy cavities, from the ‘achine canal, anomites and a trilo- Mascouchi_ river, (Lower Canada,) and strembus fe = yee Andrew F. Holmes, M. D. of eee pseudomorphous quartz from Scotland ; from the Rey. Were a large crystal of quartz from Fish Creek, Sacieaes. Simeon De Witt, gypsum (alabaster). from Sendak (Ohio) ; from James Eights, three pieces of Conti- nental paper money; from John W. Farewell, of Hartford, (Connecticut,) 86 copper coins; from Edwa rd C C. Delavan, copper ore from the Schuyler copper mine, New-Jersey ; f George Clarke, marly clay from Springfield, Otsego’ county ; from Richard Webster, a medal of La Fayette, struck during merican revolution ; from the author, ‘‘ Monograph of the doubtful reptils, New-York, ” by Rev. Daniel H. Barnes; from Teunis Van Vechten, magnetic iron ore, (an octaedral crystal,) from Essex county, New-York ; from John S. Walsh, a gallinule, {preserved} shot in the vicinity of this ity, and also a halberd head with the stamp on it o 6 - Royal American regiment; from Joseph | Pry a pugilis ; from Dr, William A. King, a collection ea fluviatile shells, - from the river Ohio, comprising the following steers. unio ssus, Verrucosus, prolongus, cornutus, purpur tus, ovatus, triangularis, cunieformis, alatus, a tt orbieu- latus, radiatus and ochraceu us, and a species of anadonta. The thanks of the Institute were directed to. be presented to Mr. Chas. S- Parker, of Liverpool, and Dr. William A. King, for their donations. Dr. Lewis C. Beck, exhibited a lamp without a wick, as recently described by Henry Home Blackadder, Esq. in the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, vol. 1. This lamp consisted of a small glass globe and a bent glass tube, support- ed ona proper stand. ‘The tube is of the size used. for ther- mometers, and it is passed through an elastic piece: a corks which js cemented to the lower part of the ee aay x ibe of the tube is above the surface of 1) none o of the latter can escape xpath it, but yen _— lamp i is to be used, the tube is inclined or drawn down. The degree of depression is regulated by the size of f the, flame i ‘ap desired to be produced... dark apartment, or nas pe ge 58 C. Beck also exhibited models of crystals formed sea BiNeestve of Dr. Wollaston’s theory of the primi- tive molecules of crystals. ‘The models were presented to the _— a 29. The follawing donations were received :— From William H. Morell, corresponding member, the cast of an organic remain, (probably vegetable) from Chenango coun- ty ; from Rey. D. Brown, alum slate from the shores of Lake Erie; from Philip sci, compact brown oxide of iron and anthracite, from Belmont, (Pennsylvania); from the New- York Lyceum, Annals of the e Lyceum, v vol. 2, Nos. 4 and 5; from Stephen Van Rensselaer, jun. a topographical model of 1e Alps, done in plaster, vicunas and alpacas wool, of their native colour, and also dyed with native Indian dyes, two spe- cimens of gold ore from Arequipa, (Peru,) and three —— of silver er ore from various mines in the same country. respective departments, remained the same as in the former year, with the exception of the curators of the second. The eee were elected :— ‘ Lewis C. Beck, Matthew H. Webster, Richard v. De Witt; William Cooper, George W. Clinto he Institute proceeded to the election of its officers, when VaN RenssELAER Was unanimously chosen Presi- dent, and Wiroras Mayen, Treasurer. oe g donations were received ee Jamie Mott, aicarécs tufa, from Paris, Oneida county, and copper coins ; from Henry W. Snyder, a specimen of vermiculite. Dr. Lewis C. Beck iclivievea a lecture on the phenomena ep me accompanied with appropriate experiments, Mr. George W. Clinton, read a communication on the gra- | , (seé Transactions, vol. 1, art. ‘XXi.) . . Dr. T. R. Beck read some observations on the combusti of ime, by the compound blow pipe, and the application of the light thus obtained, to the making of surveys at distant sta- tions, “accompanied with experiments illustrative of the bril- liane intensity of light that is produced. The experiments of t. Drummond, of the British engineers, were noticed, , and rth ly his proposed employment of this mode of - illumi- nation in ihe new survey of Ireland, directed: ai the British March?. The followir ee cp oni iiliam J. Coffee, a specimen of kaolin ais Kent, (Mass. = . M? Kercher, Hillhouse on the culture of the olive J. aa 57 4to. New-York 1805. From a? — members, a bust of the Hon. Strpnen Van RenssexvaeEr, President, execu- ted by Mr. Coffee of this city, Viz. ” Charles R. Webster, nev. De Witt, Peter Wendell, William Mayell, Henry W. Sny- der, Elisha W. Skinner, Robert Boyd, Hugh Denniston, T. omeyn Beck, N. F. Beck, Peter Bullions, D. M’Kercher, Lewis C. Beck, Joseph Henry, Matthew H. Webster. Dr. Lewis C. Beck read a notice and chemical éxaming- tion of the mineral water recently discovered in the city of Albany, on the premises of Messrs. Boyd & McCulloch.— This communication has been published in the New-York Medical and Physical J ournal, vol. 6.) M ster read a memoir of the life and writings of the Count La Cepede, eranshatald from the Revue Encyclopedique. The Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer communicated by let- ter, from Washington, sundry meteorological observations for the year 1826, made at that place, by the Rey. Robert Li ttle, as follows : 1826. Thermometer. greatest height. Lowest height. ~ Mean eat 4 January, 64 0 a February, 68 11 , 4l March, 79 30: 49 April, 81 31 53 : 93 55 73 June, 95 64 77 July, 96 . 58 77 st, 96 60 77 September, 92 47 2 October, 83. 31 59 N od 71 20 48 mber, 6 8 Steen temperature of the year 58.03, being one a Side more than 1825. Rain fallen during the year 24.70 inches. — Stevenson, M. D. of Cambridge, unty, corresponding member, gical table { for 1826, kept at Cambridge, as follows : _ METEOROLOGICAL,’ TABLE, FOR THE YEAR 1826. PH SOD DS DL|DL]DoO DPD]PoOoOoLIPFsTF PBD]DODLODO@ODSLOSeOosSws THERMOMETER. Hf {| WEATHER. = | WINDS. r eb feet be wzoled P we ou oul i : tJ : i 1c ..| & leedel ¢ chee Jelalfslecitebe bel. lela] ele] 4 Ss | 8 |egeie| & \PEleEle | 8 |S issietisBhs | bie 12/818) S)5] be = «e 5) Ss! S 4 Insisa mot Asie sia sue ae NINN DH S| a. 2 January, 94.45 | 29.19 | 25.41 | 25.68 [63 |—8 | 61/38] 9|19|{ 3| 5| 6 | 3807} 2 rah} 3} | 98} 3 [Al | 23 ) West. February, | 20.82 | 31.57 | 26.28 | 26.22 | 64| —20|74/26]| 8/18| 2] 8| 1 |268]4 A} 1 [11 | 43] 43 | 23 | South. March, 1 | 30,74 34 58 | 35.13 | 65 | 10 65} 26 112,17] 2| 4| 8 | 407 7 63 13% 9 |2 | South. April, 33 20 | 41 30 | 42.52 | 73 | 17 66|42{,10;13| 7| 6) 7 {1.71492 74 | 5 83 | 5} | West. ay, | 50.64 | 75.10 | 62 90 : 62.88 | 90 | 34 | 56} 36], 17) 5] 9 6 10.99 84 | 44 | 145 | 34) W June, 60.13 | 76.93 | 67.46 | 68.17 | 88 | 44 44) 38], 8] 11] 1% 11 | 3.23 231153 | 53 | 4 | 24 | South July, 59.64 | 79.48 | 70.93 | 70.011 91|44 | 47/382] 13) 5] 13 7 | 4.09 |) 25 14| 93) 4 [113 |2 | West. ust, 9.96 | 79.12 | 68.71 | 69.26 | 88 | 42 46 | 34 || 16] 10] 5 6/2154 {34|4 |7 54 | 4 24 | 4 | South East. September, | 5486 | 69.26 | 60. 61.55 | 82 | 34 48/28], 13| 8| 9 8 |3.42 44 | 1 a} 7% 84] 5 3 4 | South. ber, 41.80 | 56.90 | 48 02 | 73 | 22 51} 3014] 10| 7 10 12.68 }} 45 | 23 44 | 8h] 4 14 | 53 | South. November, | 34.06 30 | 37.80 05 63 | 22 3|| 6|19) 5 7 |} 19172 $|33| 83] 7 34 | 5 outh. December, | 23.96 31.12 | 26.16 =o: 0S 54 13 )}67(231 7,17) 7) 5| 2 |206)1 4 4 |103| 5 |6 | South West. Results. ~—Men of the morning obsery ons, ‘ 41.03 Fair days, 133 North 33 The morning observations Mean of the afternoon sbeervation, 55 32 Cloudy days, 152 Sih "East, 3 1-2 were made as nearly os- ee of the evening observatio 47.53 Variable days, 80 6 1-2 sible at ania he highest Mean temperature of ~ e year 1826, ncearne to Snow (No, 2 days) a South East, 33 1-2 temperature observed in the the above observations, 47.96 tam (No. of days) ~~ South, 110 a as recorded—this Highest during i oe ‘ee 91. ain (No. of iaehes) 32. 06 oot West, 57 was generally near 2 o’clock Lowest dura the year, ta —20. : 78 1-2 baie evening observations Greatest daily rang vi 42. - Borth West, 38 made at 9 o’clock.— Greatest monthly range, Ly 74, | —~—365 Theriheniblall Fahrenheit’s. Greatest annual i ; ee hy 111, Prevailing wind South. , 59 Dr. Stevenson also communicated the following memoran- dum of the state of the weather at Cambridge, during the ex- treme cold experiencers in J poe’ ® os ra. year. J aNUARY, Days. — Morning. Afleriboge Evening. 15 15 16 — 3 16 14 20 4 17 — 5 12 1 18 —22 3 — 3 19 —16 2 —11 20 —14 —4 —18 21 —32 4 — 1 22 —14 13 9 il 2 Mr. William Annesley made a verbal exposition of a new system of naval architecture, invented by himself, and illus- trated the same by models. arch 21. The following donations were received :—-From M. H. Webster, Voyage dans ies Etats Unis, par Rochefou- cald Liancourt, 8 vols. 8vo.; from Websters & Skinners, Prof. Eaton’s Zoological Text-Book; from T. Romeyn Beck, Woodarch’s Conchology and Bigelow’ s Florula Bostoniensis rote the N Pegs Lyceum, Annals of the New- York | vol. 2, ; from Dr. Emmons, a collection of dried chants: prineipall carices ; from George W. Clinton, a medal struck by the city of New-York, in commemoration of the grand canal celebration; from tc C. Beck, sundry minerals and specimens of the ultimate forms of crystals ; from George G. Jewett, minerals from Lockport ; from . Webster, a specimen of nitrate of lime, being an efflorescence ona wall; | from Warner Daniels, iron ore from Moriah, Essex county. The following articles, the property of the first department, and not previously noticed, were laid on the table. Premium imens of woollen cloth exhibited in 1809, 1810, 1811, to a committ “Dr Lee ick continued his lecture on magnetism, ac- companied with experimen Mr. nts. Joseph Henry delivered a lecture on flame, accompa- nied with experiments. - 60 Mr. George ae argo delivered a lecture on repulsion, asa ees of m “The hens to whom the bronzed article niggeiecearce by Mr. Smith, had been referred, reported fa- vorably as to his skill and success in this experiment. e report contained a detailed account. of the mode usually pur- sued in bronzing brass and iron goods and plaster figures, and also of bronzing i in oil colours. The following is the conclu- sion of the report. ‘The method used by Mr. Smith in bronzing on copper, is’ by means of an oxide of iron, called purple brown. This powder is mixed with water to the consistence of cream, and applied to the surface of the article with a brush. It is then heated over a charcoal fire, to a sufficient degree to fix the oxide upon the copper, and when co old, the ge ge oo gow: der is brushed off, and the — finished by ham abbing with a bru: The est difficulty in ike p proce ss eons to be in obtaining the Sper degree of heat necessary to fix the oxide ; if it be too great or too small, the operation will fail, the copper must be recleaned and the process repeated. ittle experience will, however, soon enable the workman to ae the proper temperature Mr. R. V. De Witt gave an account of an improved boiler for steam-engines, invented by Mr. Gallup, of Ohio. Mr. G’s boiler is spherical, and the heat is applied in the centre. The pencipie made use of by Perkins in his steam-engine, of heatin water so that it is converted into steam on escap- ing rom the boiler, is adopted by Mr. Gallup. e Witt also exhibited an iron rod, the end of whieh, was cel with platina, intended for the extremity of ightn’ rods on buildings. se rods are manufactured in elt ia, and being superior to those at present in "tae. and rticularly in preventing oxidation of the i iron, deserve gen- eral introduction. Mr. William J. Coffee, artist of this city, presented to the Institute a bronzed plaster medallion of his Exceilency Gov- ernor Clinton, for which its thanks were unanimously voted. | . Simeon De Witt read the following communi 3 CONICAL RAIN-GAGE. - Ishall now submit to the Institute the description of a rain-gage, which is $ simple in its construction, more conv ‘in its ma ment, and which will show the ambbnt of small quantities of r rain more accurately than the most approved that has been brought t into ~< en Y sts of an inverted hollow cone, with an amped to its , Opening like a funnel, of such a diameter a re Soe ¥. _ es ee age ee ay eas Vom sie * Transactions of the Albany Inateivde Nol. 1# - St Pe, PL 1 Oe eta ries Pete . ihe a aes hin PAR si yd ; r , “- a ba yi £ 1 t x “ a fe er : af 8 8 2 es ea 8 ' yfog9e Ww ONS 242 ' | ‘sf 0008 ALD Y ALD IOUT 4 ite, \ mer < Le Z ah a Ze $ ~gZe = ZA Ze yftore doy PUHhoy PS 22Uf PUowumyorRy 3 i Wayp.to) Sut "WM olee ta | v \ S \w ‘ I ZZ ti =f g ~~ » fe BIIT \ a Be .. — anmyolvuryof | a! 5 % : v OBOE YUISLMANT % Bat ot os 4 = 3 =| |. + iw aa ~ @} th hia ae = | |S aot 5 PA OTT © m~ a . 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