L803
Hibrary of the Museum
OF
COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,
AT HARVARD COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
Founded by private subscription, in 1861.
From the Library of LOUIS AGASSIZ.
Wo. 42 FS
| Ber. 30 4 % pasate
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
PoP as
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SGCTIETY,
LAD AD Ge
HELD AT PHILADELPHIA,
PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE.
VOL. IV.
JUNE, 1843, TO DECEMBER, 1847.
Wn OOO NOMI -———$—.
' PHILADELPHIA:
N PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY,
By John C. Clark, 60 Dock Street.
Sw
1847.
NOTICE.
Devises and Legacies to the Society should be made in its corporate
titlek—*‘ The American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia,
for Promoting Useful Knowledge.”
Donations intended for the Society, should be addressed to “'The
American Philosophical Society; care of the Librarian, Philadel-
phia.” If left with any of the following named persons, who have
kindly offered their services on behalf of the Society, they will be
promptly forwarded:
Lonpon. William Vaughan, Esq., Fenchurch Street.
Paris. Hector Bossange, Esq., Bookseller, Quai Voltaire.
Hamesure. John Cuthbert, Esq., Consul of the United States.
LrcHorn. John B. Sartori, Esq., Merchant.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vot. LV. JUNE vo DEC. 1843. No. 28.
Stated Meeting, June 16.
Present, twenty-nine members.
Dr. Cuarman, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received:—
From the Secretary of the Zoological Society of London,
dated 4th Oct. 1842, acknowledging the receipt of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society :—
From B,. Silliman, Jr. Esq., dated New Haven, 5th June,
1843; Robert Gilmor, Esq., dated Baltimore, 20th April,
1843; Rev. Alonzo Potter, dated Union College, 5th June,
1843; and ypunee Alexander, Esq., dated Baltimore, 12th
June, 1843, in reference to the centennial celebration; and
John W. Gibbs, Esq., dated Philadelphia, 26th May, 1843,
presenting a fae simile of certain writings of Franklin.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. No. 56. Dec. 8, 1842,
to March 23, 1843. 8yvo.—From the Society.
The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XIX. Part IL.
Dublin, 1848. 4to.—From the Academy.
Journal de Pharmacie et de Chimie. 8vo. Troisiéme Série. Tome
2. Nov. Dec. 1842. Tome 3. Jan. Fev. 1843.—From the So-
ciety.
Statistics of the United States of America, as collected and returned
by the Marshals of the several Judicial Districts under the 13th
"VOL. IV.—A
2
Section of the Act for taking the Sixth Census, June 1, 1840.
Folio.— From the Department of State.
Sixth Census, or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the United States,
as corrected at the Department of State, in 1840. Washington,
1841. Folio.—From the same.
Compendium of the Enumeration of the Inhabitants, and Statistics of
the United States, as obtained at the Department of State, from
the Returns of the Sixth Census, by Counties and principal
Towns, exhibiting the Population, Wealth, and Resources of the
Country. Prepared at the Department of State. Washington,
1841. Folio.—From the same.
A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services ; with
their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as returned by the
Marshals of the several Judicial Districts, under the Act for taking
the Sixth Census. Washington, 1841. 4to.—From the same.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. V. Nos. 5 and 6, for May
and June, 1843. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The Twenty-seventh Report of the Directors of the American Asy-
lum at Hartford, for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf
and Dumb. Hartford, Conn., 18438. 8vo.—From the Direc-
tors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I. No. 6. June, 1843.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
On the Theory and Construction of a Seismometer, or Instrument for
Measuring Earthquake Shocks and other Concussidhs. By James
D. Forbes, F.R.S. From the Transactions of the Royal Society
of Edinburg. Vol. XV. Part 1. 4to.—irom the Author.
On the Ganglia and other Nervous Structures of the Uterus. By
Robert Lee, M.D. F.R.S. London, 1842. 4to.—From the Au-
thor.
Guano: its Analysis and Effects; illustrated by the latest Experi-
ments. London, 1843. 8vo. Pamphlet.—Donor unknown.
Imanuelis Swedenborgii Sacree Regie Majestatis Regnique Suecice
Collegii Metallici Assessoris Regnum Subterraneum sive Minerale
de Cupro et Orichalco, &c. &c. Cum Figuris Aineis. Dresdee
et Lipsiee, 1734. Folio.—From Wm. Chauvenet, Esq.
Letters from a Father to his Sons in College. By Samuel Miller,
D.D. Philadelphia, 1841. 12mo.—From the Author.
Discourse delivered in the Chapel of Nassau Hall, before the Lite-
rary and Philosophical Society of New Jersey, at its First Annual
3
Meeting, Sept. 27, 1825. By Samuel Miller, D.D. 8vo.—From
the same.
A Discourse on the Early Constitutional History of Connecticut, de-
livered before the Connecticut Historical Society, May 17, 1843.
By Leonard Bacon. 8vo.—From Phil. Ripley, Esq. Also a
copy from the Author.
Army and Navy Chronicle. Vol. I. No. 20. Washington, May
25, 1843. Containing the List of the Officers and Members of
the National Institute of Washington.—From ithe Hon. J. C.
Spencer.
Fac Simile of a Letter from Benjamin Franklin, to Cadwallader Col-
den, dated New York, April 5, 1744; giving an Account of the
First Organization of the American Philosophical Society.— From
John W. Gibbs.
Map of Washington Square, Philadelphia: containing the Botanical
Names of the Trees, Latin and English From Thomas Sin-
clair.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Prof. Schumacher, Editor. Nos. 474,
475, 476. Altona, April, 1843. 4to.
FOR THE CABINET.
Ancient Indian Relic, found in Kast Tennessee, of the use of which
the Cherokees of the present day have no tradition.—From John
C. Trautwine, Esq.
Ancient Indian Pipe, dug up near the river Hewasnee, in Polk
County, Tennessee.—From the same.
Mr. Ord announced the decease of Noah Webster, LL.D., a
member of the Society, who died May 28, 1843, aged 85.
Mr. Kane, on behalf of the President, announced the decease
of Eugene A. Vail, a member of the Society, at Paris, in the
winter of 1842-43.
Dr. Hare mentioned, that he is engaged in perfecting an ap-
paratus for the analysis of those organic bodies, which contain
carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, in such proportions that they
may be considered as hydrates of carbon.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Committee
on Mr. Parker’s claim, the Treasurer was authorized to de-
4
liver possession of the Museum property to his representative,
and to transfer the policy of insurance thereon to the Museum
Company.
The Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration of the
Hundredth Anniversary reported their proceedings in full;
(See the Appendix to Proceedings No. 27,) and the resolu-
tions presented by them were unanimously adopted.
So much of the resolution submitted by Professor Henry at
the Anniversary Meeting as relates to the celebration of future
anniversaries, was referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof.
Henry and the four Secretaries of the Society.
The remainder of Prof. Henry’s resolution was referred to
a Committee, consisting of Dr. Ludlow, Prof. Rogers, Prof.
Bache, Prof. Henry, and Mr. G. W. Smith.
Stated Meeting, July 21.
Present, twenty-three members.
Mr. Du Ponceau, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received: —
From Baron Ladoucette, dated Paris, Feb. 26, 1843, (being
a duplicate,) making acknowledgments upon his election to
membership: —
From the Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sciences,
dated Paris, April 17, 1843;——the Professors of the Museum of
Natural History, dated Paris, May 10, 1843;—the Secretary of
the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, dated May 17,
1843;—the Corresponding Secretary of the Academy of Natu-
ral Sciences of Philadelphia, dated July 4, 1843,—severally
acknowledging the receipt of donations from this Society:—
And from the President and the Rey. Dr. Ludlow, acceding
to the wishes expressed by the Society at its last meeting.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops et J. E. Vander Trappen. Livraison, No. 128. 4to.
From His Majesty the King of the Netherlands.
4)
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. June, 1843. 8yo.—
From the American Colonization Society.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XLV. No. 1.
For April, May and June, 1843. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Tiende
Deel, le stuk. Leiden, 1843. 8vo.—From J. Van der Floe-
ven, and W. H. de Vriesse.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VI. July,
1843. No.1. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. XI. New Se-
ries. July, 1843. 8vo.—From Dr. Hays.
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America, A. D. 1848. Philadelphia, 1848.
8vo.—From John K. Kane, Esq.
Mittlere Oerter von 12,000 Fix Sternen, fiir den Anfang von 1836,
abgeleitet aus den Beobachtungen auf der Hamburger Sternwarte
von Carl Riimker. Hamburg, 1843. 4to.—From the Author.
A Complete Treatise on Field Fortification, with the General Outlines
of the Principles regulating the Arrangement, the Attack, and the
Defence of Permanent Works. By D. H. Mahon. New York,
1836. 18mo.—From the Author.
A Letter to a Philosopher, in reply to some recent attempts to vindi-
cate Berkeley’s Theory of Vision; and in further Elucidation of
its Unsoundness. By the Author of “A Review of Berkeley’s
Theory,” &c. Samuel Bailey. 8vo.—From Henry C. Carey,
Esq.
Physiology Vindicated, in a Critique on Liebig’s Animal Chemistry.
By Charles Caldwell, M.D. Jeffersonville, Ia., 1843. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Annual Report of the Interments in the City and County of New
York, for the Year 1842; with Remarks thereon, and a Brief
View of the Sanitary Condition of the City. By John H. Gris-
com, M.D., City Inspector. 8vo.—From the Author.
Robert et Léontine, ou La Moselle au XVIe Siccle, orné du Siege de
la Ville de Metz et de trois airs notés; par J. C. F. Ladoucette.
Seconde Edition. Paris, 1843. 8vo.—From the Author.
L’Art de Vérifier les Dates, depuis Année 1770 jusque nos jours.
3e Partie. Tome XVII. Publié par M. le Marquis de Forter.
Paris, 1842. 8vo.—From D. B. Warden, Esq.
An Address delivered at Laurel Hill Cemetery. on the Completion of
6
a Monument erected to the Memory of Thomas Godfrey, June 1,
1843. By G. Emerson, M.D. 8vo.—From the Author.
ADDPITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisitme Série. ‘Tome VII.
Janvier, Février, Mars et Avril, 1848. S8vo.
Mr. Kane announced the decease of the Hon. Hugh S. Le-
garé, a member of the Society, who died at Boston in the
month of June last.
Two communications were presented from Professor Riim-
ker, of Hamburg, containing some occultations of fixed stars
lately observed by himself and his assistant, and all the obser-
vations which he has hitherto made on the “comet, lately dis-
covered by M. Mauvois at Paris.’
The following gentlemen were elected members of the So-
ciety :—
Witiram H. Dittineuam, of Philadelphia.
Count Cancrine, of St. Petersburg, Russia.
M. Sranistas JuLien, of Paris.
Joun Downzs, of Philadelphia.
Stated Meeting, Mugust 18.
Present, nineteen members.
Mr. Du Ponceau, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received :—
From Ambrose Baber, Esq., of the U. S. Legation at Turin,
dated 5th June, 1843, transmitting certain donations to the So-
ciety :—and
From Mr. Orazio de Attellis de Santangelo, dated 24th
July, 1843, transmitting a donation from Don Paolo Anania
de Luca, of Naples.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol. XII.,
XII., XIV. London, 1842-43. 4to.—From the Society.
7
Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. V. Nos. 30,
31. April, May, 1843. 8vo.—From the same.
Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XII.
Part Il. 1842. 8vo.—JFrom the Society.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the Year 1840. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A., Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. I. Published by Order of the Radcliffe ‘Trustees.
Oxford, 1842. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trustees.
A Discourse on the Qualifications and Duties of an Historian. De-
livered before the Georgia Historical Society, 13th Feb. 1843.
By the Hon. Mitchell King. Savannah, 1843. 8vo.—From the
Georgia Historical Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XIX. Nos. 7
and 8. July, August, 1843. S8vo.—From the American Colo-
nization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. VI. August, 1843. No. 2.—
From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
Experimental Researches on Electricity. 18th Series. By Michael
Faraday, Esq. From the Philosophical Transactions, Part 1, for
1843. 4to.—From the Author.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know-
ledge, for the Year 1840. 12mo.—From Petty Vaughan, Esq.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1. August, 1843. No. 8.
8vo.— From Lea & Blanchard.
An Attempt to Develop the Law of Storms by means of Facts, ar-
ranged according to Place and Time; and hence to point out a
Cause for the Variable Winds, with the view to practical use in
Navigation. Second Edition, with Additions. By Lieut. Col.
W. Reid, C.B., F.R.S. London, 1841. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
Esame e Proposta di cid che Manea per la Compilazione di un 'Trat-
tato di Acustica Compiuté ed applicabile alle arté di Paolo Anania
de Luca. Napoli, 1841. 8vo.—From the Author.
Storia della Filosofia per Lorenzo Martini. Serie III. 2 Vols. 8vo.
Milan, 1842.—From the Author.
Vita Francisci Canaverii. Auctore Laurentio Martinio. Editio al-
tera. Auguste Taurinorum, 1843. 8vo.—From the same.
Catalogue of Ancient and Modern Books in the Various Departments
of Science and Belles-Lettres. Library of the late Isaac R.
Jackson. Philadelphia, 1843. 8vo.—From Sears C. Walker,
Esq.
8
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 477, 478, 479. May, 1848.
Nos. 480, 481. July, 1843. 4to.
Dr. Patterson announced the decease of Robert Adrain,
LL.D., a member of the Society, who died at New Bruns-
wick, N. J., on the 10th instant, aged 68: and thereupon Dr.
Patterson was appointed to prepare a notice of the life and
scientific labours of the deceased.
Mr. Lea read a continuation of his paper “On New Fresh
Water Shells,” which includes descriptions of twelve new spe-
cies of Unio, most of them from Florida, to which he has given
the names, U. Buckleyi, U. Buddianus, U. Minor, U. amygda-
lum, U. occultus, U. Monroensis, U. aheneus, U. fuscatus, U.
trosculus, U. superbus, U. aratus, U. neglectus.
The communication of Mr. Lea was referred to a Commit-
tee, consisting of Mr. T. R. Peale, Dr. Hays, and Mr. Ord,
and permission was given him to publish an abstract of it in
anticipation of the Transactions.
Mr. Lea, from the Publication Committee, announced the
completion of the 8th Vol., N. S., of the Transactions, and
made a special report. From this it appeared, that the num-
ber of subscribers at this time is 113; that 77 copies are distri-
buted by donation and in exchanges, and that 9 copies of the
volume have been sold; making an aggregate number of 199.
The report announced that Vol. 9 is now in the press, and
that the available funds of the Committee amount to $957, of
which, however, a part remains uncollected.
Stated Meeting, September 15.
Present, thirty-five members.
Mr. Du Ponceau, President, in the Chair.
Dr. W. W. Gerhard, and William H. Dillingham, Esq.,
members elect, were presented, and took their seats.
9
Letters were received :—
From W. H. Dillingham, Esq., dated 14th Sept. 1843,
making acknowledgments on the occasion of his election to
membership:—
From the Secretary of the Royal Society of Northern Anti-
quaries, dated Copenhagen, 18th April, 1843, transmitting a
donation :—
From the General Secretary of the Central Commission of
the Geographical Society of Paris, dated 29th April, 1843, ac-
knowledging the receipt of the 2d part of Vol. 8 of the Trans-
actions:—
From Wm. W. Andrews, Esq., U. S. Consul at Malta, dated
3d July, 1843, transmitting a catalogue of the minerals hereto-
fore presented to the Society:—
From Col. Von Abrahamson, dated Odensé, Denmark, trans-
mitting a copy of the Memoirs of the Literary Society of Fio-
nia:—
From James Ombrosi, Esq., U. S. Consul at Florence, dated
5th July, 1843, announcing the delivery to the Grand Duke of
Tuscany of his diploma of membership: and thereupon the Li-
brarian was instructed to transmit to H. I. and R. H. a copy of
the Transactions, N. S., suitably bound.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen. LErster Band. Von der Jahren, 1838—1841. Mit
fiinf Steindrucktafeln. Géttingen, 1843. 4to.—From the Royal
Society of Sciences of Gottingen.
Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. Tome 2e. Livraison 8e.
Tome 38e. Livraisons 1 et 2. Paris, 1841. 4to.—F rom the Pro-
fessors of the Museum.
Journal Asiatique. 3e Série. Tome XIV. No. 79. 1842. 4e Série.
Tome I. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1843. 8vo.—From the Asiatic So-
ciety of Paris.
Annales des Mines. 4e Série. Tome II. 5e Livraison de 1842.
8vo.— From the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Bulletin de la Sociéte de Géographie. Deuxieme Serie. Tome
VOL. IV.—B
10
XVIII. Paris, 1842. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society
of Paris.
Boletin Enciclopedico de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais.
Ano 40. Tomo 20. No. 50. Valencia, 1843. 8vo.—From the
Society.
Mémoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaires du Nord. 1840—
1843. Section Américaine. Copenhague, 1843. 8yvo.—From
the Society.
Mémoire sur la Découverte de Amérique au Dixiéme Siecle. Par
Charles Christian Rafn. Publié par la Société Royale des Anti-
quaires du Nord. Second Tirage. Copenhague, 1843. 8yvo.—
From the same.
Aktstykker, for Storste Delenhidtil utrykte, til Oplysning iser af
Danmarks indre Forhold i eldre Tid. Odensé, 1841. 4to.—
From the Literary Society of Fionia.
Diem Natalem Augustissimi Regis Caroli Johannis; Nec non Me-
moriam Regni ab Eo ante quartam Seculi partem aditi ab Uni-
versitate Regia Fredericiana die XX VI, Januarii, MDCCCXLIII;
Indicit Collegium Academicum. Christianiz, 1848. 4to.—From
the Royal University in Christiana, Norway.
Descriptio Ornamentorum Aureorum et Nummorum Seeculi VITI¥: et
IX", in Preedio Hoen, in Parochia Eger in Diocesi Norvegie
Agershusiensi, Anni MDCCCXXXIV., mense Augusto, Reperto-
rum; Auct. Chr. Andr. Holmboe. Christianie, 1835. 4to.—
From the same.
Delphinus Leucopleurus. Nova Species Descripta ab H. Rasch,
Conservatore Musei Zoologici Universitatis Regie Fredericiane.
Christiania, 1843. 4to.— From the same.
De Mutationibus, quas subit Momentum Virgee Magneticte partim ob
Temporis, partim ob 'Temperaturee Mutationes. Auctore Chris-
tophoro Hansteen. Christianiz, 1842. 4to.—From the same.
Semina Horti Botanici Christianiensis. 1842. 4to.— From the
same.
Flora Batava, ou Descriptions et Figures de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops, et J. E. Van der Trappen. Nos. 126 et 127. 4to.—
From His Majesty the King of the Netherlands.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Negende
Deel. 2e en 8e Stuk, 4e Stuk, 1842. Leiden, 1842. 8vo.—
From the Editors.
Journal of the American Oriental Society. Vol. I. No.1. 1848.
8vo. Boston, 1843.—From the Society.
11
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Nos. 26, 27, 28, 29. 1843. 8vo.—F rom the Academy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. 3d
Series. Vol. VI. Sept. 1843. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I. Sept., 1843. No. 6.
8vo.— From Lea & Blanchard.
An Essay on Calcareous Manures. Third Edition. By Edmund
Ruffin. Petersburg, Va., 1842. 8vo.—rom the Author.
Description of Twelve New Species of Uniones. By Isaac Lea.
Read before the American Philosophical Society, August 18,
1843. <A printed Sheet, dated August 19, 1843.—From the
Author.
Supplément aux Vindicize Sinicee, ou Dernicre Réponse a M. Stan.
Julien. Par G. Pauthier.—From the Author.
On the Abuse of the Pardoning Power. By Samuel R. Wood. Phi-
ladelphia, 1839. Pamphlet. 8vo.—From Dr. P. Tidyman.
The President announced the decease of Mr. J. N. Nicollet,
a member of the Society, who died on the 11th Sept. 1843, at
Washington:—and thereupon Dr. Ducatel of Baltimore, was
appointed to prepare a notice of his life and scientific labours.
Dr. B. H. Coates called the attention of the members to the
head bones of a fish found upon Squam Beach, N. J., called by
the fishermen, the Head-fish.
Professor Bache stated, that he had continued during the past
summer the series of observations for magnetic dip and inten-
sity, a notice of which he had formerly submitted to the Society.
The places of observation were Troy, Schenectady, Utica, Syra-
cuse, Geneva, Rochester, Niagara Falls, Oswego and Ogdensburg, in
New York State, and Toronto, Montreal and Quebec, in Canada.
The same instruments were used as formerly, namely, a Robinson
dipping circle with common and Lloyd needles for the usual observa-
tions of the dip, and for those of dip and intensity by the statical me-
thod of Prof. Lloyd, and a vacuum apparatus for horizontal intensity
by the method of vibrations. Similar observations were made at Phi-
ladelphia before and after the journey, to connect these results with
others previously obtained. Prof. Bache had the pleasure and ad-
vantage of the aid of Prof. Foster of Union College, in making these
observations. The results of the Pennsylvania survey are connected
directly with that now executing in the British Provinces, by the ob-
12
servations at Toronto and Philadelphia, by Lieut. Lefroy and Prof:
Bache. Other comparisons will probably be had through the obser-
vations at Montreal and Quebec.
Professor Bache expressed the hope that the magnetic survey of
the State of New York, would not be left to the desultory efforts of
individuals, but would be undertaken and rendered systematic and
complete, by the authorities of the State.
Professor Frazer made some remarks on the tornado of Aug.
5th, and exhibited a specimen of earth, apparently silicious,
which was deposited by it in considerable quantity, within the
chimneys of a house over which it passed in Delaware county,
and which he regarded as bearing on the question whether the
rain proceeded from a water-spout. Prof. F. had traced the
line, which formed the eastern limit of the tornado, and found
it to be a curve: the western line he had been unable to de-
fine. He remarked, that where its path lay through a wood,
the large trees were generally prostrated, while the small ones
escaped.
A similar remark had been made by Professor Bache as to
the comparative destruction of the larger and smaller trees in
the paths of several tornadoes which he had witnessed: and it
was observed by Mr. Hassler, that it was of universal occur-
rence, and was referrible to the fact that the roots of young
trees penetrate more deeply into the ground than those of older
ones, and are besides proportionably larger.
The phenomena presented by the tornado of August had
been observed in different places by others of the members.
The minimum of rain, which was marked as having fallen
within its range, was ten inches. The district over which it
passed was very limited, but its path was such as to cover the
entire course of the principal streams of Delaware county.
This circumstance was adverted to as explaining the desolating
height to which the waters were raised.
Mr. Kane, Reporter, announced that the Discourse of Dr.
Patterson at the Centennial Celebration, with the proceedings
by which it was introduced, had been printed, and was now
ready for distribution. He mentioned that the Proceedings of
the Centennary Meeting of the Society would be in print be-
fore the next meeting.
13
The Committee on the Celebration was authorized to make
distribution of copies of the centennary proceedings.
On motion of Prof. Bache, the communication, entitled “On
two Storms which occurred in February 1842, by Elias Loo-
mis, of Western Reserve College, Ohio,’ read before the So-
ciety on the 26th of May, was referred to a Committee, consist-
ting of Prof. Frazer, Prof. Bache, and Dr. Emerson.
The communications, entitled “On the Instruments of the
Astronomical Observatory of the U. S. Military Academy,
West Point,” and “the Observations made upon the Comet of
Feb. 1843,” by Prof. W. H. C. Bartlett of the U. S. Military
Academy, read 30th May, were referred to a Committee, con-
sisting of Mr. Walker, Prof. Bache, and Prof. Kendall.
On motion of Mr. Lea, the communication, entitled “ Des-
cription of some new Fossil Shells, from the Tertiary of Pe-
tersburg, Va.,” by Henry C. Lea, Esq., read 30th May, was
referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Booth, Mr. T. R.
Peale, and Dr. Hays. Mr. Lea had permission to publish an
abstract of his communication in anticipation of the Transac-
tions.
Stated Meeting, Oct. 6.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Mr. Du Ponceau, President, in the Chair.
Mr. John Downes, a member elect, was presented, and took
his seat.
Letters were received :—
From Hon. A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State, dated Oct. 1,
1843, transmitting eighteen volumes of public documents:—
From the Secretary of the Academy of Sciences of Turin,
transmitting donations to the Library :—
From the Secretary of the Zoological Society, dated London,
Dec. 2, 1842;—and from the Secretary of the Zoological Soci-
ety of London, dated June 27, 1843, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of the Transactions and Proceedings of this Society :—
14
From James Reynolds, Esq. dated London, July, 1843, re-
lating to the Oriental translation fund.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Senate Journal, 2d Session, 27th Congress, 1841-42. 8vo. House
Journal, 2d Session, 27th Congress, 1841-42. 8yo. Reports of
Committees, 2d Session, 27th Congress, 1841-42. 5 Vols. 8vo.
Senate Documents, 2d Session, 27th Congress, 1841-42. 5 Vols.
8vo. Executive Documents, 2d Session, 27th Congress, 1841-42.
6 Vols. 8vo.—From the Hon. A. P. Upshur, Secretary of
State.
Report of the Twelfth Meeting of the British Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science, held at Manchester, in June, 1842. Lon-
don, 1843. 8vo.—From the British Association.
Address to the Royal Geographical Society of London; delivered at
the Anniversary Meeting on the 22d of May, 1843. By W. R.
Hamilton, Esq. F. R. 8., President. London, 1843. 8vo.—
From the Society.
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Com-
merce. Premiums for the Sessions, 1848-44, 1844—45.— From
the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol. V.
No. 32. June, 1848. 8vo.—From the Society. |
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Index to Vol. III.
Vol. [V. Part 1. No. 92. 8vo.—From the Society.
List of the Geological Society of London, 1843. 8vo.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part X. 1842.
8vo.—From the Society.
Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of
London, read at the Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1843.
8vo.— From the same.
Annales des Mines. Quatricme Série. Tome II. Vle Livraison de
1842, Novembre, Décembre. 8vo.—From the Engineers of
Mines, Paris.
Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze di Torino. Serie Se-
conda. Tomo II. III. [V., 1840-41-42. 4to.—From the Aca-
demy.
Catalogus Senatus Academici, et omnium alicujus gradus laurea ex-
15
ornatorum, in Collegio Dartmuthensi, Hanoveree, in Republica
Neo-Hantoniensi. 1843. 8vo.—From the Northern Academy
of Arts and Sciences.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal, September, 1843.
8vo.—F rom the American Colonization Society.
A Catalogue of the Library of Brown University, in Providence,
Rhode Island. With an Index of the Subjects. Providence,
1843. 8vo.—From the Rev. Dr. Wayland.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I. No. 10. 1843. 8vo.—
From Lea & Blanchard.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. No. 12. New Se-
ries. October, 18438. 8vo.—From Dr. Hays.
The Zoologist: an Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Natural History,
and Journal for recording Facts and Anecdotes relating to Quad-
rupeds, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes, &c. &c. Edward Newman, Esq.
F.L.S., F.Z.S., Editor. John Van Voorst, Publisher. London,
1848. 8vo. Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive-—From the Editor.
Osservazioni Geologiche sui Terreni delle Formazioni Terziaria e
Cretacea in Piemonte. Si Angelo Sismonda, Prof. di Minera-
logia. Extracted from the 5th Vol. 2d Series, of the Memoirs
of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin.—From the Author.
Fisica de’ Corpi Ponderabili ossia Trattato della Costituzione Gene-
rale de’ Corpi, del Cavaliere Amedeo Avogadro. Tomo III.
1840. Tomo IV. 1841. Torino. 8vo.—From the Author.
Jahrbucher der Literatur. Januar, Dezember, 1842. Nos. 97 to
100, inclusive. Wien, 1842. 8yvo.—From Baron Von Ham-
mer Purgstall.
Beitrag zur Auflésung der Héheren Gleichungen, von Dr. Anton
Vallus. Wien, 1843. 8vo.—From the Author.
Progress of the United States in Population and Wealth in Fifty
Years, as exhibited by the Decennial Census. By George Tuc-
ker. New York, 1848. 8vo —From the Author.
Report of the Proceedings of an Indian Council at Cattaraugus, in
the State of New York, held Sixth Month, 1843. Baltimore,
1843. 8vo.—from George M. Justice.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 482. July 22, 1843. to.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome VIII.
Mai, 1848. 8vo.
16
FOR THE CABINET.
A large Seal for the Society’s foreign correspondence.—From
Messrs. Gobrecht and Franklin Peale.
A Plate of Engravings of Coins, by Mr. Asa Spencer, made by the
Ruling Machine.-—From Dr. Hays.
Mr. Kane, Reporter, laid upon the table the closing number
of the 2d volume of the Proceedings of the Society, and the
3d volume, containing the Proceedings of the Centennary
Meeting.
The Committee, to whom Mr. Lea’s paper was referred at
the last meeting, reported in favour of its publication in the
Transactions: and the publication was ordered accordingly.
On motion of Prof. Bache, the communication, entitled “On
Hippuric Acid,” by Prof. Booth and Mr. Boyé, read on the
29th of May, was referred to a Committee consisting of Prof.
Frazer, Prof. Bache, and Dr. Hare:—and
The communication, entitled “On the Physical Phenomena
attending Solar Hclipses,’’? by Prof. Stephen Alexander, of
Princeton, read on the 29th of May, was referred to a Com-
mittee consisting of Mr. Walker, Professor Bache, and Mr.
Downes.
Dr. Ludlow, from the Committee appointed on the 16th
June, 1843, on the subject of a report of the Society’s doings
during the past century, reported at length, and presented cer-
tain resolutions.
The first resolution from the Committee was adopted as fol-
lows:—Resolved, That it is expedient to have prepared a re-
port of the scientific labours, during the past century, of the
American members of the Society.
The consideration of the 2d, 3d, and 4th resolutions, pre-
scribing the manner in which the report should be prepared,
was postponed to the next meeting, and—
The Society adjourned to meet on the 13th instant.
17
Adjourned Meeting, Oct. 13.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Committee, to whom Prof. Loomis’s communication on
the Storms of February, 1842, was referred at the meeting on
the 15th of September, reported in favour of its publication in
the Transactions:—and the publication was ordered accord-
ingly.
On motion of Prof. Frazer, the communications made by Mr.
R. C. Taylor at the centennary meeting, “On the Geology of a
Portion of the Island of Cuba,” and “On some Fossil Ferns of
the family Sigillaria in the Coal Strata of Pennsylvania,” were
referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Frazer, Prof.
Booth, and Prof. Bache.
The Society resumed the consideration of the resolutions re-
ported by a Committee at the last meeting; and after discus-
sion, it was resolved as follows:—
1. That for the purpose of preparing tte elements of the
proposed report, it is expedient that the several subjects to be
embraced in it should be distributed under appropriate general
titles, and that a Committee of one or more members should be
appointed to report on the scientific labours included under
each title.
2. That the 2d, 3d, and 4th resolutions reported by the
Committee at the last meeting, be referred back to the same
Committee, with instructions to report such a distribution of
the scientific labours of the members as is contemplated by the
foregoing resolution, and that they also nominate one or more
members to constitute each of the several Committees.
3. That on the report of that Committee being made, the
Society will proceed to consider the same, and to determine
the number of such Committees to be appointed, and the num-
ber of members to constitute the same respectively: and that
the Society will then appoint the said Committees from among
the names reported by the Committee under the 2d resolu-
tion, and such others as may be nominated at the meeting.
VOL. IV.—C
18
4, That when the reports of the several Committees shall
hereafter be presented to the Society, such disposition and ac-
tion shall be had in relation thereto as shall be judged proper.
Stated Meeting, October 20.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Librarian of Brown University, acknowledging
the receipt of the 26th and 27th numbers of the Proceedings:
and—
From S. S. Haldeman, Esq., dated Columbia, Pa., 4th Oct.
1843, transmitting a copy of the sixth number of his Mono-
graph of Fresh Water Univalves.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Vol. IV. Part 1.
No. 93. 1848. 8vo.—From the Society.
Title and Index to the Fifth Volume of the Monthly Notices of the
Royal Astronomical Society.—From the Society.
The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XIX.
Part Second. London, 1843. 4to.—F rom the Society.
List of the Linnean Society of London. 1843. 4to.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Nos. 15 to 18, in-
clusive. 1842-43. 8vo.—From the same.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XV. Part III.
Containing Papers read during the Session 1842-43. Edin-
burgh, 1843. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1842-483. Nos. 21,
22. 8vo.—From the same.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XLV. No. 2.
October, 1848. New Haven, October 5, 1843. 8vo.—F rom
the Editors.
19
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VI. October,
1843. No.4. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
Lectures on the Wave-Theory of Light. By the Rev. H. Lloyd,
D.D., F.R.S., &c. &c. Printed by order of the Board of Eras-
mus Smith. Dublin, 1841. 8vo.—From the Author.
A Monograph of the Fresh Water Univalve Mollusca of the United
States, including Notices of Species in other parts of North Ame-
ricae By 8. Stehman Haldeman. Philadelphia, January, 18438.
No. 6. 8vo.—From the Author.
The Foulahs of Central Africa, and the African Slave Trade. By
W. B. Hodgson, of Savannah, Georgia. 1843. 8vo.—From
the Author.
Catalogue of Books in the Library of Brown University. Provi-
dence, R. I., 1826. 8vo.—F rom Robert Hare, M.D.
Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign
Parts: Reports for the Years 1841 and 1842. London, Office
of the Society. 8vo.—From the Rev. Benjamin Dorr, D.D.
A Historical Account of Christ Church, Philadelphia, from its Foun-
dation, A. D. 1695, to A. D. 1841. By the Rev. Benjamin
Dorr, D.D. Philadelphia, 1841. 8vo.—From the Author.
Abstract of a Paper read before the American Philosophical Society,
May 20, 1843, entitled, ‘‘ Descriptions of some New Fossil Shells
from the Tertiary of Petersburg, Virginia.” By Henry C. Lea.—
From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 483 to 486, inclusive. August,
1843. 4to. Title and Index to Vol. XX. Altona.
Scientific Memoirs, selected from the Transactions of Foreign Acade-
mies of Science, &c. Edited by Richard Taylor, F.S.A. Vol.
Ill. Part XII. August, 1843. London. 8vo.
Niles’ National Register. From September, 1842, to March, 1843.
Vol. 63. From March, 1843, to September, 1843. Vol. 64.
Folio.
The Committees to whom were referred Prof. Stephen
Alexander’s communication, “On the Physical Phenomena
attending Solar Eclipses,’—Prof. Bartlett?s communications
describing the Astronomical Observatory and Instruments at
West Point, and giving an account of observations made there,
—Mr. R. C. Taylor’s two communications, entitled, “ Memoir
20
on the Character and Prospects of the Copper Region of Gi-
bara, and a Sketch of the Geology of the North-east part of
the Island of Cuba,’ and “ Notice of Fossil Arborescent Ferns
of the Family of Sigillaria and other Coal Plants exhibited in
the Roof and Floor of a Coal Seam in Dauphin County, Penn.”
—and the communication by Prof. Booth and Mr. Boyé, en-
titled, “On the Conversion of Benzoic into Hippuric Acid,’’—
all of which were read at the centennary meeting,—severally
reported in favour of the publication of the communications re-
ferred to them; and the publication was ordered accordingly.
Dr. Bache announced the decease of Dr. Richard. Harlan, a
member of the Society, who died at New Orleans on the 30th
of September last.
Dr. Mease laid before the Society the Proceedings of the
Medico-Chirurgical Society of Louisiana, on the occasion of
Dr. Harlan’s death; and they were read.
Mr. Walker gave a succinct account of the condition of the
questions in regard to the orbit of the comet of February,
1843, as left by observations.
He also read an extract from the Astronomische Nachrich-
ten of August 12, in which Mr. Clausen, an assistant at the
Dorpat observatory, under date of 21st April, 1843, affirms the
identity of the comet of February with that of 1668 and 1689;
this conclusion coinciding with that announced to the Society
by Messrs. Walker and Kendall in May last, and published in
the 27th No. of the Proceedings. Mr. Clausen asserts the
probable return of the comet in 1865.
Stated Meeting, November 3.
Present, thirty-three members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Professor Wylie, of Indiana University, was introduced as a
visiter.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, dated
21
Calcutta, March 8, 1843, and the Secretary of the Royal So-
ciety of Sciences of Gottingen, dated Aug. 17, 1843, severally
acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions and Proceed-
ings of this Society: and—
From Francis Hopkinson, Esq., dated Nov. 2, 1843, pre-
senting to the Society an engraving from the latest portrait of
his father, Vice President Hopkinson, by Sully.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Liv-
raison, 129. 4to.—From His Majesty the King of the Nether-
lands.
Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, Publi¢es par les Profes-
seurs, Administrateurs de cette Etablissement. ‘Tome II. Liv-
raison 4e. Tome II. Livraison 3e. 4to.—From the Profes-
SOrs.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Deuxi¢me Série. Tome XIX.
Paris, 1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Boston Scciety of Natural History. Taken from
the Society’s Records. From January 6, 1841, to the 21st of
June, 1843. 8vo.—F rom the Society.
Constitution and By-Laws of the Northern Academy of Arts and
Sciences; and Second Annual Report of the Curators. Presented
July 25, 1848. 8vo.—From the Academy.
A Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Dartmouth College.
1843-4. 8vo.—From the College.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. 'Tiende
Deel. 2e. 3e. Stuk. Leiden, 1843. S8vo.—From the Editors.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Tome XVI. Nos. 1 to 25, inclusive. Tome XVII.
Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive. Tables du Tome XV. Paris, 18438. Ato.
FOR THE CABINET.
An Engraved Portrait of the late Judge Hopkinson, from a Painting
by Sully. Engraved by Sartain—From F. Hopkinson, Esq.
22
The Committee to whom was referred Dr. Morton’s com-
munication, entitled, “An Inquiry into the Form of the Head
and other Ethnographic Characters of the Ancient Egyptians,’
reported in favour of its publication in the Transactions;—
which was ordered accordingly.
The communications presented at the centennary meeting
by Mr. Breck, Mr. Tyson, Dr. Coates, and Mr. Gilpin, were
referred to the Historical and Literary Committee, with power
to take order in reference to the publication of them.
Professor Henry made an oral communication in regard to
the application of Melloni’s thermo-electric apparatus to me-
teorological purposes, and explained a modification, to which
he had been led in the course of his researches, of the parts
connected with the pile. He had found the vapours near the
horizon powerful reflectors of heat; but in the case of a distant
thunder storm, he had found that the cloud was colder than the
adjacent blue space.
Referring to the theory of the discharge of the Leyden jar,
which he had submitted to the Society some time since, Prof.
Henry examined some apparent objections to it, resulting from
the researches of Matteucci. The effect produced on the gal-
vanometer by the discharge of a battery, is due to the retarda-
tion of the lesser waves of electricity, a fact which indicates the
cause of Matteucci’s results, when a card was pierced by the
currents induced in a neighbouring wire conductor forming an
open circuit.
Professor Henry described several experiments on the direct
and return stroke, showing that equilibrium was restored by
the same succession of oscillations; large and small needles
placed in spirals forming part of an electrical circuit, being
magnetized in different directions. The disturbance of the
electrical plenum by a discharge of electricity was referred to,
as explanatory of the induction which takes place; and the
subject was applied to the explanation of various phenomena;
among others, the light appearing in well authenticated cases
about persons and objects in the neighbourhood of a discharge
of lightning in its direct passage; and suggestions were made
as to the most effectual mode of protecting powder houses,
&c., from the effects of lightning.
23
Professor Henry examined in the same connexion, whether
currents of ordinary electricity pass actually at the surface, or,
like galvanic electricity, through the mass of the conductor;
and he concluded that the law of conduction developed by
Ohne cannot apply to the case of surface passages, as these are
indicative of ordinary electricity.
Mr. Walker submitted a communication on behalf of Dr.
Locke, of Cincinnati, in which he stated that he had calculated
his magnetic observations, and that he was led to infer that the
point of greatest magnetic intensity in North America is to the
N. W. of Lake Superior, near its extremity, and not near Hud-
son’s Bay, as supposed by Col. Sabine.
Prof. Bache remarked, that Lieut. Lefroy is now engaged in
the magnetic survey of British North America, and that his
results, in conjunction with those of Dr. Locke and others,
would definitively settle this contested point. Prof. B. also
read an extract from a letter of Col. Sabine, mentioning that
he had received the term-day observations of Lieut. Lefroy at
Lake Winnipeg, and that an excellent northern station for the
term-days would be had at Lieut. Lefroy’s winter quarters.
Prof. Bache added, that the extra term-days of July had
been kept, and the daily observations made on the first ten
days, at the Magnetic Observatory of the Girard College.
A communication of Prof. Henry, in continuation of his
researches on electro-dynamic induction, was referred to a
Committee, consisting of Dr. Patterson, Prof. Bache, and Mr.
Lukens.
Dr. Ludlow, from the Committee on the report of the So-
ciety’s scientific proceedings during the past century, pre-
sented a request that the Committee should be discharged from
further action under the resolution of the Society: and there-
upon, on his motion, the Committee was discharged.
24
Stated Meeting, November 17.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was received from H. J. Bowditch, Esq., Clerk of
the Bowditch Library, dated Oct. 28,1843, acknowledging the
receipt of the Proceedings, No. 27.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. I. Nos. 30, 31. September and October, 1843. 8vo.—
From the Academy.
The African Repository, and Colonial Journal. Vol. XIX. No. 10.
October, 1843. S8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Pantography, or Universal Drawings, in the Comparison of their
Natural and Arbitrary Laws, with the Nature and Importance of
Pasigraphy, as the Science of Letters, &c. By Benajah J. An-
trim. Philadelphia, 1843. 8vo.—From the Author.
The United States Almanac; or Complete Ephemeris for the Year
1844; By John Downes: The Statistical Part by Freeman
Hunt. Vol. II. Philadelphia. 8vo.—From John Downes.
De Skandinaviske Naturforskeres tredie Méde, i Stockholm i 1842.
Christinia, 1842. Svo.—From Dr. Hays.
Forhandlingar vid det af Skandinaviska Naturforskare och Likare
hallna méte i Gotheborg ar 1839. Gétheborg, 1840. S8vo.—
From the same.
A Lecture on the Oregon Territory. By Peter A. Browne, LL.D.,
of Philadelphia. 18438. 8vo.—Fvrom the Author.
Remarks on ‘Tides, and the Prevailing Currents of the Ocean and
Atmosphere. By W. C. Redfield. From the American Journal
of Science and Arts. Vol. XLV. No. 2. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de Académie des
Sciences. ‘Tome XVII. Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive. Ato.
29
Mr. Kane announced the death of Col. John Trumbull, a
member of the Society, who died recently at New York,
aged 87.
Professor Bache presented observations of meteors on the
mornings of the 12th and 14th of November, from midnight
until 2 A. M., those having been the only clear mornings from
the 9th to the 17th of the month. He submitted also some
observations made by him in conjunction with Mr. Espy, for
the parallax of meteors on the night of the 14th; the evening
of the 13th having been so cloudy as to prevent observations.
The numbers were below the ordinary average for a clear
night.
Mr. G. W. Smith had also made observations on the nights
of the 12th, 13th, and 14th, with results corresponding gene-
rally to those of Prof. Bache.
Dr. Hays gave an account of a case of spontaneous combus-
tion, which occurred in a heap of Virginia coal lying in the
yard of the Northern Liberties gas works, soon after a fall of
rain. Dr. H. exhibited specimens of the coal partially convert-
ed into coke, and adverted to the circumstances under which
the combustion had occurred, which justified the conclusion
that it was spontaneous.
Dr. Patterson mentioned a work executed by Dr. Joseph
Rhoads, at the farm of his father at Haverford, near Philadel-
phia, for procuring a supply of water for the house, which he
thought might be imitated in many other situations. There
were wells at the house and barn, cut through rock, and thirty-
five feet deep. It occurred to Dr. Rhoads that water might be
found, higher up the hill, at such a level as to give a supply at
or above the level of the house itself; and he fixed, for this
purpose, upon a bed of sand at the side of the road. Here he
found water at the depth of five feet, and an abundant supply
by digging seven feet deeper. From this source the water
was conveyed to the house, at such a height that it might have
run into the mouth of the old well, and it furnished a constant
stream of a gallon per minute. The water in the old well was
hard, that from the new source, soft. ‘The whole cost of the
operation was but thirty-five dollars.
Dr. Hays exhibited a piece of iron, weighing fifteen grains,
VOL. IV.—D
26
which had been extracted by him from the eye of a man, who
was ignorant of its having entered it. The presence of some
foreign substance in the ball of the eye was inferred from the
constant inflammation kept up in the organ.
Stated Meeting, December 1.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice President, in the Chair.
Letters were received :—
From the President of Harvard University, dated Oct. 18,
1843, acknowledging the receipt of No. 26 of the Proceed-
ings:—
From William B. Rally, Esq., dated Baltimore, Nov. 20,
1843, on the subject of a proposed scientific correspondence
between the Royal Academy of Bohemia and this Society :—
From Sir William Jardine, dated Jardine Hall (Scotland),
Oct. 28, 1843, in regard to his work on the Scottish Salmo-
nidze.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢éme Série. Tome I. Nos. 5 et 6. Ma:
et Juin, 1843. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Annales des Mines. Quatri¢éme Série. ‘Tome III. Lére Livraison.
Paris, 1843. 8vo.—From the Engineers of Mines.
Transactions of the Historical and Literary Committee of the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society. Vol. II. Part I. Philadelphia, 1843.
8vo.— One copy presented by Samuel Breck, Esq., and one copy
by Job R. Tyson, Esq.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. VI. Nov. 1843. 8vo.—
From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The African Repository, and Colonial Journal. Vol. XIX. No. 11.
November, 1843. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
A Manual of Gold and Silver Coins of all Nations, struck within the
27
past Century, &c. &c. By Jacob R. Eckfeldt and William E.
Du Bois, Assayers of the Mint of the United States. Philadel-
phia, 1842. 4to.—From the Authors.
Memoir on the Reconnaissance of Rivers. Translated from the
French by Lieut. W. R. Palmer, U. 8. Corps of Topographical
Engineers. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo. 2 copies.—MHrom the
Translator.
Vierter Bericht iber das Museum Francisco-Carolinum. Linz, 1840.
8vo.—From the Rev. Professor Rally, of Baltimore.
Funfter Bericht iber das Museum Francisco-Carolinum. Linz, 1841.
8vo.—From the same.
Sechster Bericht tber das Museum Francisco-Carolinum. Linz,
1842. 8vo.—From the same.
Zweyter Bericht aber die Leistungen des Vaterlandischen Bereines
zur Bildung eines Museums fiir das Erzhervoethum Oesterreich
ob der Enns und das Herzogthum Salzburg. Linz, 1836. 4to.
From the same.
Der Fiihrer im Salzkammergute und auf der Linz. By W. B. Rally.
Wien, 1841. 12mo.—From the same.
Die Donaureise von Regensburg bis Linz. By W.B. Rally. Wien,
1840. 12mo.—From the same.
Statuten des Bereines: Museum Francisco-Carolinum. Linz, 1841.
Svo.— From the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Journal Général de la Littérature de France. Douziéme Cahier.
Décembre, 1841. 8vo.
Title and Index to L’Institut. lére Section, Tome X. 2éme Sec-
tion, Tome VII.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 487, 488. September, 1843. 4to.
Dr. Bache announced the death of Mr. Ferdinand Rudolph
Hassler, a member of the Society, at the age of 73 years, which
occurred in this city on the 21st of November last.
Mr. Thomas Gilpin read an Essay on the Position of the
Organic Remains, as connected with a former tropical region
of the earth.
The general principle advocated in this essay is, that the position
of the organic remains gives evidence that in a former zone of equa-
torial heat the tropical products encircled the earth uniformly, and of
course under different influences from any of the present climates.
28
The location of this zone, for which the appellative of the organic
zone is assumed, is on a south-west direction as it passes from the
north-east of Europe. It is indicated from thence by the fossil re-
mains of ancient animals, and by the consecutive coal field districts
of Germany, France, England and Ireland; and it is again found
through Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; and, with the exception of
the granite region of New England, it is largely developed through
the centre of the United States, as in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and the
Mississippi country and Texas; and thus it is specifically established
through one-third of the circuit of the earth.
Continuing in the same course, it crosses in a straight line into the
southern hemisphere, and appears in New Zealand, New Holland,
part of China, the Kingdom of Ava, and the Himalaya Mountains, so
as to come to the commencement of the circuit.
In all this latter part of the route, through the islands and through
Asia, coal is found under the same circumstances and appearances as
in Europe and America; and along all the circuit, the fossils of the
great elephantine animals are more largely distributed than on any
other part of the earth: they have also been taken, in this course, out
of the ocean and deep sea of the British Channel, along the shores of
which they are found on the recess of the waters. But the essay
states that the theory does not depend upon the location of the re-
mains of these animals, “partly migratory” in search of feeding
ground in changes of climate, but upon vegetable and animal remains
of the more resident animals of the land and ocean—for ‘these have
not migrated.”
The facts claimed in favour of this essay are stated to be,—
1. That there is around the earth, in the direction described, a uni-
form zone of former vegetable and animal life, to which the fossil re-
mains belong.
2. That the zone has been tropical or torrid, and has passed
through nearly all the present climates.
3. That a uniformity of products has been found in many places,
but not noticed heretofore to have pertained to a general connexion.
The general principles of this essay are offered as a substitution
for the former hypothesis, which attributed the anterior existence of
the tropical plants in the cold latitudes to an original high state of
heat of the earth, and that they grew upon it when it had become
cooled to a proper temperature to favour them; and a statement is
made of the comparative claim of both these propositions.
The essay closes with a general reference to the changes which
29
have taken place in the climates and waters of the earth, by the gra-
dual influences of the precession of the equinoxes and the perihelion
position, during the astronomical course under which the sun and
earth have been related to each other.
In the course of the essay, references are made largely to the geo-
logical authorities.
Professor Bache, on behalf of Dr. John Locke of Cincinnati,
communicated the results of four magnetic tours in the United
States and Territories. Dr. Locke proposes to communicate
the details of his observations at a future day.
The Treasurer submitted his annual account; and Mr. Lea
presented the Report of the Publication Committee.
Dr. Patterson, from the Committee on the erection of an Ob-
servatory, and the Committee on the Museum property, re-
ported finally; and on his motion, the Committees were dis-
charged.
Stated Meeting, Dec. 15.
Present twenty-four members.
Dr. Bacuez, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, dated
London, Nov. 17, 1843, acknowledging the receipt of the
Transactions and Proceedings:—and
From Mr. W. P. Smith, dated Dec. 15, 1843, in reference
to certain taxes on the Museum property.
The letter of Mr. Smith was referred to the Finance Com-
mittee, to report thereon.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1. No. 2. December, 1843.
8vo.— From Lea & Blanchard.
Introductory Lecture before the Medical Class of the University of
Pennsylvania, delivered November 9th, 1843. By W. E. Hor-
ner, M.D. 8vo.—From the Author.
30
Notice of some Works, recently published, on the Nomenclature of
Zoology. By Augustus A. Gould, M.D. From Silliman’s Jour-
nal of Science for April. June, 1843. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
Monograph of the Species of the Genus Papa found in the United
States. By Augustus A. Gould, M.D. Extracted from the Bos-
ton Journal of Natural History, Vol. II. and Vol. 1V. 8vo.—
From the same.
An Essay on Organic Remains, as connected with an Ancient Tro-
pical Region of the Earth. By Thomas Gilpin. Philadelphia,
1843. 8vo.—from the Author.
In pursuance of recommendations from the Committee of
Finance, the following appropriations were made for the use
of the coming year, viz.—
Proceedings, - - - $300
Binding, = - - - - 200
Hall, - - - - 100
Journals, - - - - 200
General account, = - - - 700
Dr. Hays mentioned that Mr. Whipple, of Missouri, is de-
sirous of disposing of a large collection of the bones of the
Tetracaulodon, now in this city; and he invited the members
to unite with him in making the purchase for the Society’s
Museum.
Mr. Ord drew the attention of the Society te the fact, that
the late Mr. Hassler was in possession of certain instruments
loaned to him by Mr. Vaughan, which, by the will of Mr.
Vaughan, had become the property of the Society: and the
Curators were instructed to take measures for replacing them
in the Society’s Cabinet.
Mr. Ord also mentioned, that he had found, among the pa-
pers of the Society, a receipt from Mr. Gallatin for certain
maps, lent to him by the Society to be used in the negotiations
respecting the N. E. boundary of the United States: and the
Librarian was instructed to take measures for recovering the
maps referred to.
a
tn hss
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vou. IV. JAN.—APRIL, 1844. No. 29.
Stated Meeting, January 3.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The judges and clerks of the annual election held this day,
reported the appointment of the following officers:—
President.
Peter S. Duponceau, LL.D.
Vice- Presidents.
Nathaniel Chapman, M.D.,
Robert M. Patterson, M.D.,
Franklin Bache, M.D.,
Secretaries.
John K. Kane.
Alexander Dallas Bache, LL.D.,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.,
Joshua Francis Fisher.
Counsellors for Three Years.
Robert Hare, M.D.,
William Hembel,
Charles D. Meigs, M.D.,
Henry Vethake, LL.D.
Curators.
Isaac Hays, M.D.,
Franklin Peale,
John P. Wetherill.
Treasurer.
George Ord.
VOL. IV.—E
32
Letters were received:—
From the Geological Society of London, dated Nov. 2,
1843,—the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufac-
tures and Commerce, dated November 3, 1843,—the Royal
Academy of Sciences of Berlin, dated August 15, 1843,—and
the Museum of Natural History of Paris, dated Nov. 9, 1843,
acknowledging the receipt of Transactions and Proceedings of
this Society :—
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Copenhagen, dated
May 12, 1843, and the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin,
dated August 15, 1843, announcing the transmission of dona-
tions: —
From Albert Gallatin, dated New York, December 19, 1843,
on the subject of certain Maps lent by this Society to the Go-
vernment of the United States, and announcing that they can-
not be recovered in consequence of their having been appropri-
ated to public purposes :— |
From Henry Denny, dated Leeds, Nov. 4, 1843, stating the
intention of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Leeds
to become a correspondent of this Society :—
From B. Silliman, Jr., Secretary of the Association of Ame-
rican Geologists and Naturalists, dated December 23, 1843,
announcing that the Annual Meeting of the Association will
take place at Washington on the 10th of May next:—
From M. Orazio de St. Angelo, dated New York, Decem-
ber 29, 1843, on the subject of a donation from Signor di
Luca, of Naples.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Address of the Most Noble the Marquis of Northampton, the Presi-
dent, read at the Anniversary Meeting of the Royal Society, on
Wednesday, November 30, 1842. 8vo.-—From the Royal So-
ciety of London.
Transactions of the Philosophical and Literary Society of Leeds,
consisting of Papers read before the Society. Vol. I. Part 1.
London, 1837. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Laws and Regulations of the Philosophical and Literary Society
Jo
of Leeds, (instituted the 14th of January, 1820), revised and
corrected to May 7, 1841. 8vo.—From the same.
An Account of an Egyptian Mummy, presented to the Museum of
the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, by the late John
Blayds, Esq. Drawn up at the request of the Council, by Wm.
Osburn, Jr., F.R.S., Secretary to the Society. Leeds, 1828.
8vo.—From the same.
Reports of the Council on the General State of the Leeds Philoso-
phical and Literary Society, to wit :—Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ele-
venth, to Twenty-third, inclusive. Sixteen in all. 8vo.—From
the same.
Abhandlungen der K6niglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Ber-
lin. Aus dem Jahre, 1841. Erster Theil. Berlin, 1843. Ato.
Zweiter Theil. — ,, ms .
Dritter Theil. ss 3 ss
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin.
Bericht tiber die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der
Kénigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. July
to September, 1842—January to June, 1843. 8vo.—F rom the
same.
Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Naturvidenskabelige
og Mathematiske Afhandlinger. Niende Deel. Copenhagen,
1842. 4to.—from the Royal Society of Sciences of Copen-
hagen.
Oversigt over det Kel. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhand-
linger og dets Medlemmers Arbeider, i Aaret 1842. Copenha-
gen, 1843. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, at their Thirty-
first Annual Meeting, held at Worcester, October 23, 1843, with
the Address of the Hon. John Davis. 8vo.—From the Society.
Boston Journal of Natural History. Containing Papers and Com-
munications read before the Boston Society of Natural History,
and published by their direction. Vol. [V. No. 3. Boston,
1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. 3d Series. Vol. VI. December,
1843. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patierson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. December, 1843.
Vol. XIX. No. 12. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I. Nov. 1843. No. 11.
34
Vol. Il. January, 1844. No. 13. 8vo.—From Lea & Blan-
chard.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XII]. New Series. January, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Editor.
Ultimi Progressi della Geografia sunto letto nei di 16, 21 e 27, Set-
tembre, 1842, alla Sezione di Geologia, Mineralogia e Geografia
della quarta Riunione degli Scienziati Italiani, ch’ebbe sede in Pa-
dova. Da Jacopo Graberg da Hemso. Estratto dal 6°. Vo-
lume del Politecnico di Milano. 1843. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Preliminary View of the
Ancient Mexican Civilization, and the Life of the Conqueror,
Hernando Cortes. By William H. Prescott. New York, 1843.
3 Vols. 8vo.—From the Author.
Tables for the Extemporaneous Application of Corrections for Tem-
perature to Barometric Observations. By 8. Elliott Hoskins,
M.D. Guernsey, 1842. S8vo.—F rom the Author.
Observations of the Aurora Borealis. From Sept. 1834, to Sept.
1839. By Robert Snow, Esq. London, 1842. 12mo.—From
the Author.
An Introductory Lecture to the Course of Institutes of Medicine, &e.
in Jefferson Medical College: delivered Noy. 8th, 1848, by Prof.
Dunglison. 8vo.—From the Author. ;
Documents of Congress. 27th Congress, 3d Session. House of
Representatives, ‘Treasury Department. Doc. 220.—From the
Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.
Magazine of Zoology and Botany. Conducted by Sir Wm. Jardine,
Bart., P. J. Selby, Esq. and Dr. Johnston. Vols. I. and II. 1836
-37-38. Edinburgh. 8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.
Annals of Natural History; or Magazine of Zoology, Botany and
Geology. Being a continuation of the Magazine of Zoology and
Botany, and Sir W. J. Hooker’s Botanical Companion. Con-
ducted by Sir W. Jardine, Bart., P. J. Selby, Esq., Dr. Johnston,
Sir W. J. Hooker, and Richard Taylor. New Series. Nos. 1
to 33, inclusive. London, 1838-40. 5 Vols. Svo.—From the
same.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Being a continuation of the Magazine of
Botany and Zoology, and of Loudon and Charlesworth’s Maga-
zine of Natural History. Conducted by Sir W. Jardine, Bart.,
39
P. J. Selby, Esq., Dr. Johnston, David Don, Esq. and Richard
Taylor. Nos. 34 to 76 inclusive. London, 1840-48. 8vo.—
From the same.
Zoological Contributions. By S. S. Haldeman. No. 2. Decem-
ber, 1843. S8vo.—F rom the Author.
A Monograph of the Limniades or Fresh water Univalve Shells of
North America. By S. Stehman Haldeman. No. 5. July,
1842. 8vo.—From the same.
Medicinisches Schriftsteller-Lexicon der jetzt lebenden Verfasser.
Von Dr. Adolph Carl Peter Callisen. Neunundzwanzigster
Band. His-Lem. 8vo. Copenhagen, 1841. Dreissigster Band.
Lun-M. 1842. Einunddreissigster Band. N-Rop. 1843.—
From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 489, 490. October, 1843. 4to.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and
Journal of Science. Third Series. Vol. XXII. April to July,
inclusive. Vol. XXIII. July to November, inclusive. Nos. 145
to 153, inclusive.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, conducted by Professor
Jameson. Nos. 62 to 70, inclusive. Edinburgh, 1841-43. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels. Tome XVII.
Nos. 12 to 17, inclusive. Paris. September and October, 1843.
Ato.
FOR THE CABINET.
A Copy, in type metal, of a Jewish Shekel.—From Mr. Justice.
A large Collection of Fossil Bones of the Mastodon, Tetracaulodon,
&c., purchased of Mr. Whipple, at the instance of Dr. Hays, by
the followimg named members of the Society, and by them pre-
sented to the Cabinet: Dr. Hays, Dr. Patterson, Mr. Kane, Mr.
Frazer, Mr. Fraley, Dr. Bache, Rev. Dr. Bethune, Mr. Roberts,
Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Lea, Dr. Wood, Mr. J. P. Wetherill, Mr.
Hembel, Mr. Justice, and Dr. W. E. Horner.
The following notice of the Mastodon bones accompanied
the donation:—
“These bones were found in the County of Benton, Missouri, about
one-half mile from the river Osage, seventy miles south of the Mis-
36
souri river, at Boonville; in North latitude, 38° 10’, and in 16° 40’
West longitude. The County of Benton, south of the Osage, and
bordering thereon, is characterized for its irregular and broken ap-
pearance, running up into extensive ridges, rocky cliffs, and flinty
knobs. ‘These elevations, though far from being mountainous, ne-
vertheless, afford views of the surrounding country, beautiful, exten-
sive, and in many instances, sublime. Again valleys intervene, through
which meander some streams of water, bordered by alluvial bottoms
and lofty forests. It was in such a country as this, to all appearance,
that the Mastodon delighted to dwell, and there his bones are found
most numerous.
“Tn one of the valleys named, just at the point where a fertile bot-
tom is connected with a more elevated region, is a small saline marsh,
perhaps of an acre in extent. One half of this marsh is covered by
a soil different from that composing the marsh, but partaking of the
character of a ridge of land, of one-eighth to one-fourth of a mile dis-
tant, and which runs parallel with the bottom above-named. ‘This
ridge is composed in part of a species of limestone, columns of which
are at intervals left standing, and in some instances of from ten to
twenty feet elevation above the surrounding portions of the ridge.
Between this ridge and the marsh the ground declines gently, and
was formerly covered with oak timber. It is now a cultivated field.
The soil of this field also bears evidence of having been washed, or
otherwise conveyed from the ridge. One-half of the marsh, as above
stated, is covered with this soil, and to the extent of about ten feet.
It was under this deposite, and to the depth of from two to twelve
feet imbedded in the marsh, that these bones were found, lying in
the greatest confusion and disorder.
(Signed, ) “SS. H. WHIPPLE.”
On motion of Mr. Kane, a Committee was appointed to re-
vise the laws and regulations of the Society. . Mr. Kane, Mr.
Ord, and Dr. Patterson form the Committee.
Mr. Kane announced the reappointment, by the Secretaries,
of Dr. Dunglison as Corresponding Secretary, and also his ap-
pointment as Reporter of the Society’s Proceedings for the
present year.
od
Stated Meeting, Jan. 19.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Mr. Du Poncrav, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received :—
From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manches-
ter, dated Manchester, Feb. 16, 1843, accompanying a dona-
tion of the Memoirs of that Society: —
From Dr. Callisen, dated Altona, Oct. 23, 1843, acknow-
ledging his election as a member of this Society, and present-
ing a donation of books.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.
Second Series. Vol. VII. Part 1. London, 18438. 8yvo.—
From the Society.
Journal Asiatique. Quatricme Série. Tome Il. No. 7. Juillet,
Aoit, 1843. No. 8. Septembre, Octobre, 1843. 8yvo.—From
the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Amnales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome III. 2e et 3e livrai-
sons. 1843. 8vo.—From the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Transactions of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India.
Vol. II. Calcutta, 1841. 8vo.—F rom the Society.
Journal of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India. Vol.
I. Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive. Calcutta, 1842. 8vo.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. I. Nov. Dec. 1843. Nos. 32, 33. 8vo.—-From the Aca-
demy.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XLVI. No. 1.
January, 1844. 8yvo.—From the Editors.
Zoological Contributions. By S. 8S. Haldeman. No. 3. January,
1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Douziceme et Treiziéme Rapports sur les Travaux de Ja Société d’His-
toire Naturelle de ’Ile Maurice, lus dans les Séances anniver-
saires du 24 Aoiit, 1841, et du 24 Septembre, 1842. Par M. L.
Bouton. Maurice, 1848. 4to.—From M. L. Bouton.
Report of the Committee appointed to inspect the Machine lately
38
erected at Tresavean Mine, for facilitating the ascent and descent
of Mines. From the Transactions of the Royal Cornwall Poly-
technic Society. —From Robert Were Fox, Esq.
Purport of a Paper relative to Springs of Water. From the Transac-
tions of the same Society. Appendix, No. 1.—From the same.
Report of the President and Managers of the Schuylkill Navigation
Company to the Stockholders, January 1, 1844. 8vo.—From
S. W. Roberis.
A Copy of the Minutes of the Commissioners for determining the
Line between Pennsylvania and Maryland; taken from an au-
thenticated Copy in the possession of F. R. Hassler, by George
M. Justice, 1842. To which is appended, Original Vouchers,
exhibiting the Amount paid by the Penn Family, from the Year
1760 to 1768, to their Commissioners. Folio. MS.—From Geo.
M. Justice.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus des Séances de l’Académie des Sciences. ‘Tome
XVII. Nos. 18 to 21, inclusive. 1843. Tome XIV. No. 22.
Ato.
Journal Asiatique, 3e Série. ‘Tome XIII. No. 72. Tome XIV. No.
193) 8N0-
Annales des Mines, Troisiéme Série. Tome III. No. IV. 18383.
Tome V. 1834. Tome XVII. len. Livraison de 1840. 8vo.
Annales Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisiéme Série. Tome VIII.,
Juin, Juillet, Aodt. Tome IX., Septembre, Octobre. 8vo.
Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, par M. le Baron Cuvier, et par M.
Valenciennes. Tomes § to 16, inclusive. Paris, 1831, 1842. 4to.
Mr. Smith exhibited an artificial magnet, having a south
pole at each extremity, and a north pole at the centre, which
had been handed to him by one of the superintendents of the
magnetic observatory at the Girard College. Mr. Smith made
some remarks upon it, which gave occasion to further observa-
tions from Dr. Bache and Professor Frazer.
Agreeably to a provision of the by-laws, the list of surviving
members of the Society was read. From this it appears that
the number on the first day of the present year was 344,
whereof 233 are residents of the United States, and 111 of
foreign countries.
Mr. Ord was re-elected Librarian.
39
The following standing Committees were appointed for the
year:
Of Finance.—Mr. C. C. Biddle, Dr. Patterson, and Mr.
Kuhn.
Of Publication.—Mr. Lea, Dr. Hays, and Mr. Fisher.
On the Hall.—Mr. Campbell, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Fraley.
On the Library.—Dr. Hays, Mr. Campbell, and Mr. Pen-
ington.
The following gentlemen were elected members of the So-
ciety:
TuEopoRE STroneG, Professor, Rutgers College, N. Jersey.
Aurrep L. Exwyy, M.D., of Philadelphia.
Rozert Brivess, M.D., of Philadelphia.
Joun W. Drarer, M.D., Professor, University of N. York.
W. A. Norron, Professor, Delaware College.
J. W. Francis, M.D., New York.
W. C. Reprretp, New York.
G. T. Mower, M.D., U. 8. Army.
Joun Locke, M.D., Professor, Cincinnati.
Atonzo Porter, Professor, Union College, Schenectady.
Roger B. Taney, Chief Justice of the United States.
JoserxH Srory, Judge of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
Bensamin F. Burirr, late Attorney General of the United
States.
Jacos J. Ecxreipt, United States Mint.
Wituram E. Dusorts, do.
Joun C. Travrwine, of Philadelphia.
Joun L. Hart, Principal of the High School.
Stated Meeting, February 2.
Present, thirty-six members.
Dr. Cuarman, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Messrs. Elwyn, Trautwine, Eckfeldt, Du Bois, and Hart,
newly elected members, were presented to the presiding of-
ficer, signed the constitution, and took their seats.
VOL. IV.—F
AO
Letters were received :—
From Judge Story, dated Jan. 23, 1844,—Mr. John C.
Trautwine, dated Philadelphia, Feb. 1, 1844,—Professor Nor-
ton, dated Delaware College, Jan. 23, 1844,—Professor T.
Strong, dated New Brunswick, Jan. 26, 1844,—Professor
Hart, dated Philadelphia, Jan. 20, 1844,—Mr. Redfield, dated
New York, Jan. 29, 1844,—Dr. J. W. Draper, dated New
York, Jan. 24,1844,—Dr. Robert Bridges, dated Philadelphia,
Jan. 29, 1844, severally acknowledging their election as mem-
bers of the Society :—
From the Institute of France, dated Paris, Nov. 13, 1843,—
the Royal Society of Sciences, Agriculture and Arts, of Lille,
dated Lille, May 10, 1843,—the Royal Academy of Sciences
and Belles Lettres of Bruxelles, dated Bruxelles, Sept. 12,
1843,—the Linnean Society, dated London, Nov. 23, 1543,—
the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, Noy. 11, 1843,—
the London Electrical Society, dated London, March 1 and
July 4, 1842; Jan. and July 4, 1843, accompanying Proceed-
ings of that Society, and a number of a periodical edited by
the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Charles V. Walker,—Mr. E.
Newman, dated London, Nov. 2, 1843, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of Transactions and Proceedings of this Society, and
transmitting certain works to this Society:—
From M. Quetelet, dated Bruxelles, Sept. 12, 1843, on
transmitting certain works to the Society,—the Meteorologi-
cal Society of Great Britain, dated London, Jan. 1843, in re-
ference to the objects, &c. of that Society,—the Royal Poly-
technic Union of London, dated London, Sept. 1842, in refer-
ence to certain works which they propose to publish,—a Com-
mittee appointed at a meeting of certain stockholders of the
Philadelphia Museum Company, dated Philadelphia, Jan. 22,
1844,—the Consul of the United States, Mr. Aspinwall, dated
London, July 20, 1843, in reference to certain parcels from
the London Electrical Society which he had forwarded to this
Society,—Mr. W. Wheelwright, dated London, Dec. 4, 1843,
accompanying a donation to the Library.
41
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Nouveaux Mémoires de l’Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles
Lettres de Bruxelles. Tome XVI. Bruxelles, 1843. 4to.—
From the Academy.
Mémoires Couronnés et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers, publiés par
VAcadémie Royale des Sciences et Belles Lettres de Bruxelles.
Tome XV. 2me Partie. 1841, 1842. Bruxelles, 1843. 4to.—
From the same.
Instructions pour Observation des Phénoménes Périodiques. Par le
Secrétaire Perpétuel, M. Quetelet. 4to.—Hrom the same.
Annuaire de Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles Lettres de
Bruxelles. _Neuviéme Année. Bruxelles, 1843. 18mo.—From
the same.
Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles Lettres de
Bruxelles. Année, 1842. Tome IX. 2me Partie. Nos. 7 to 12,
inclusive. Bruxelles, 1842. 8vo. Tome X. Ire Partie. Nos.
1 to 6, inclusive. Tome X. 2me Partie. No. 7.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Vol. IV. Part I.
Nos. 94, 95, 96. 1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, for the Year 1841-2.
Part VI. Dublin, 1848. 8vo.—From the Academy.
Proceedings of the London Electrical Society. Parts IV. VI. VII.
and VIII. London, 1842-3. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Tenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic So-
ciety. Parts 1 and 2. Falmouth, 1843. 8vo.—From the So-
ciety.
Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh. By Thomas Henderson, F.R.SS. L. and E., &c. Vol. V.
For the Year 1839. Published by order of Her Majesty’s Go-
vernment. Edinburgh, 1848. 4to.—From the Royal Society
of London.
A Catalogue of the Library of the London Institution, systematically
classed. Vol. III. London, 1843. 8vo.—From the Managers
of the Institution.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VII. January,
1844. No.1. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The African Repository, and Colonial Journal. January, 1844.
42
Vol. XX. No. 1. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Sur ?Emploi de la Boussole dans les Mines. Par M. Quetelet, Di-
recteur de l’Observatoire Royal, a Bruxelles. 1543. 8yvo.—
From the Author, M. Quetelet.
Rapports Adressés 4 M. le Ministre de l’Intérieur sur l’Etat et les
Travaux de l’Observatoire Royal pendant l’année, 1841, et l’an-
née, 1842. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Annuaire de |’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles. Par le Directeur,
A. Quetelet. Dixiéme année, 1848. 18mo.— From the same.
Discours Prononcé par M. Nothomb, Ministre de l’Intérieur, dans la
Séance de la Chambre des Représentants, du 18 Mars, 1843.
8vo.—From the same.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know-
ledge, for the Year of our Lord 1844, being Bissextile, or Leap
Year. London. 12mo.—From Petty Vaughan, Esq.
Knight’s London, No. 123, containing the Account of the Society of
Arts. 8vo.—From the same.
The Zoologist: an Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Natural History,
&c. Nos. IX. to XII. inclusive. September to December, 1843.
8vo.—From Edward Newman, Esq.
The System of Nature; an Essay. By Edward Newman, F.L.S.,
Z.S., &c. Second Edition. London, 1843. S8vo.—From the
same.
The Electrical Magazine, conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Published quarterly. Vol. I. No.1. July, 1843. 8vo. Lon-
don.—From the Editor.
The Quarterly Journal of Meteorology and Physical Science. Pub-
lished under the immediate sanction and direction of the Meteoro-
logical Society of Great Britain. Edited by J. W. G. Gutch,
M.R.C.S. No. VI. April, 1843. London. 8vo.—From the
Editor.
Mr. Wheelwright’s Report on Steam Navigation in the Pacific; with
an Account of the Coal Mines of Chili and Panama. London,
1843. 8vo.—from the Author.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. Il. February, 1844. No. 14.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
A Plate of Diagrams, entitled, “Circles to assist Seamen in the Prac-
tical Application of the Theory of Revolving Winds. By W. R.
—From Iieut. Col. Wm. Reid, F.R.S.
Message from the President of the United States to the Two Houses
43
of Congress, December 5, 1843. 28th Congress, 1st Session.
House of Rep., Doc. No. 2.—From the Hon. Joseph R. Inger-
soll, M.C.
Dr. Bache announced the death of Judge Gaston, a member
of the Society, who died at Raleigh on the 23d ultimo.
Dr. Hays drew the attention of the Society to a series of
bones now being exhibited in the basement of the Society’s
building. They are chiefly those of the elephant and masto-
don; the former being larger than any that have been de-
scribed. ‘There are in the collection several specimens of im-
mense teeth of the elephant, of much greater size than any that
Dr. Hays has seen recorded. He thought the bones well wor-
thy the attention of the curious, and of those interested in sci-
ence.
In reply to a question from Mr. Justice, Dr. Hays stated
that they had been found in Missouri, near the place where
the bones were discovered by Mr. Koch.
Mr. Smith stated, that the Bude and other lights just arrived
from Europe would be exhibited to a few gentlemen at the
Franklin Institute, and suggested that members of the Society
might wish to repair thither after adjournment.
Stated Meeting, February 16.
Present twenty-four members.
Dr. Patrrrrson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Dr. Bridges, a newly elected member, was presented to the
presiding officer, signed the constitution, and took his seat.
Letters were received:—
From Count Cancrine, dated St. Petersburg, Nov. 13, 1843,
—Dr. Francis, dated New York, Jan. 29, 1844,—Dr. T. G.
Mower, dated New York, Feb. 5, 1844,—and Dr. Locke,
dated Cincinnati, Feb. 3, 1844, severally acknowledging their
election as members of the Society :—
44
From M. Arago, dated Paris, Sept. 29, 1843, acknowledging
the receipt of Transactions and Proceedings of this Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Catalogue of Books added to the Library of the Library Company of
Philadelphia, since the Large Catalogue of 1835, to January,
1844. Third Edition. 1844. 8vo.—From the Directors of
the Company.
Insanity among the Coloured Population of the Free States. By
Edward Jarvis, of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Extracted from
the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, for January,
1844.—From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Journal des Observations Physiques, Mathématiques et Botaniques,
faites par ordre du Roy sur les Cétes Orientales de l’Amérique
Méridionale, et dans les Indes Occidentales, depuis année, 1707,
jusques en 1712. Par le R. P. Louis Feuillée. Paris, 1714—
1725. 3 Vols. 4to.
On motion of Mr. Kane, Mr. Dillingham was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Judge Gaston, whose decease was
reported to the Society at its last meeting.
Professor Frazer announced the death of Dr. Marmaduke
Burrough, at Mount Holly, at the age of 46; and on motion
of Mr. Lea, Dr. Morton was appointed to prepare an obituary
notice of him.
Stated Meeting, March 1.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Bacur, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received :—
From the Hon. B. F. Butler, dated New York, Feb. 22,
1844, acknowledging his election as a member of the So-
ciety :-—
45
From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, Dec. 9,
1843,—the Society of Antiquaries, dated London, Jan. 28,
1844,—the Linnean Society, dated London, Dec. 21, 1843,—
the Geological Society, dated London, Dec. 14, 1843, acknow-
ledging the receipt of Proceedings of this Society,—the Royal
Astronomical Society, dated London, Dec. 18, 1843, on for-
warding certain monthly notices of that Society,—the Con-
sul of the United States at London, dated London, Jan. 19,
1844, in reference to certain parcels which, at the request of
the Russian Consul-General in London, he had forwarded to
this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London, con-
taining Abstracts of Papers, and Reports of the Proceedings of
the Society, from June, 1833, to June, 1836. Vol. III. London,
1836. 8vo. Vol. IV. No. 2. December 9, 1836. Vol. V.
Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9,14, 16. Vol. VI. Nos. 1 and 2.—From the So-
ciety.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. No. XIV. London, 1848. 8vo.—From the Society.
Mémoires de Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.
VIme Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome Cinqui¢me. Premiere Partie: Sciences Mathématiques et
Physiques. Tome Troisiéme, lére Livraison. Saint-Pétersbourg,
1842. 4to. 2de et 3éme Livraisons, 1843. Tome Septicme.
Seconde Partie: Sciences Naturelles. ‘Tome Cinquiéme, 1ére et
2de Livraisons. Saint-Pétersbourg, 1848. 4to. Sciences Po-
litiques, Histoire, Philologie. ‘Tome Sixiéme, lére et 3éme Liv-
raisons. Saint-Petersbourg, 1843. 4to.—From the Imperial
Academy.
Mémoires Présentés a l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-
Pétersbourg, par divers Savans, et lus dans ses Assemblées.
Tome Quatriéme, 5éme Livraison. Saint-Petersbourg, 1843.
4to.—From the same.
Recueil des Actes des Séances Publiques de Académie Impériale des
Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg, tenues le 31 Décembre, 1841, et
le 30 Décembre, 1842, et de la Séance Solennelle tenue en l’hon-
46
neur de M. le Président de l’Académie, le 12 Janvier, 1843.
Saint-Pétersbourg, 1848. 4to.—From the same.
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Academiens Handlingar, for ar 1841. Stock-
holm, 1842. 8vo.—From the Royal Swedish Academy.
Arsberittelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi afgifven den 31
Mars, 1841; af Jac. Berzelius, K. V. Acad. Secret. Stockholm,
1841. 8vo. The same work for the years 1842 and 1843.—
From the same.
Arsberattelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under aren, 1840, 1842, till
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien afgifven af Zoologize Intenden-
terna vid Rikets Naturhistoriska Museum. Andra Delen (In-
secta, Linn.) af C. H. Boheman. Stockholm, 1848. 8vo.—
From the same.
Berattelse om Astronomiens Framsteg for Aren, 1837—1841. Af
N. H. Selander. Stockholm, 18438. 8yvo.—From the same.
Arsberattelse om Technologiens Framsteg, till Kongl. Vetenskaps-
Academien afgifven den 31 Mars, 1841; af G. E. Pasch. Stock-
holm, 1843. 8vo.—From the same.
Atti della Prima Riunione degli Scienziati Italiani tenuta in Pisa nell’
Ottobre del 1839. Pisa, 1840. 4to.—From the Italian Asso-
ciation, through Vincenzo Antinori, Director of the Museum of
Natural History of Florence.
Atti della Terza Riunione degli Scienziati Italiani tenuta in Firenze
nel Settembre del 1841. Firenze, 1841. 4to—From the same.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 2.
February, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Report of a Committee of the Delaware County Institute of Science,
on the Great Rain Storm and Flood which occurred in that
County on the 5th of August, 1848: with a Map of the County.
_ Read at a Special Meeting of the Institute, January 4, 1844.
Chester. Svo.—Fvrom the Institute.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Vol. VII. Third Series. Feb.
1844. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, for 1843. 8vo.—From the
Directors.
Report of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, for the Year
1843. By Thomas S. Kirkbride, M.D., Physician to the Institu-
tion. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—F rom the Managers.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
AT
Published Quarterly. Vol. I. No. 3. Jan. 1844. London.
8vo.—From the Editor.
M‘Elroy’s Philadelphia Directory for 1843. 8vo.—From Mr. Du
Ponceau.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 491 & 492. Ato.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Tome XVII. Nos. 22 to 26, inclusive. ‘Tables des
Comptes Rendus. Tome XVI. Paris, 1843. Ato.
Mr. Kane announced the death of Mr. Nicholas Biddle, a
member of the Society,—who died at Andalusia, Bucks County,
on the 27th of February,—and referred at some length, to the
character of the deceased, and to the services which he had
rendered to the literature of his country.
Mr. Smith presented, for the inspection of the members, a
piece of the gun, which had recently burst on board the
Princeton.
He exhibited it for the more especial purpose of showing the
changes that wrought iron undergoes under particular circumstances.
He presented specimens of iron which were fibrous, and which, after
having been cold-swaged, became crystalline. When the iron was
annealed, the fibrous arrangement again became manifest. The
properties of wrought and cast iron have only recently attracted the
attention of philosophers.
Mr. Smith referred to the accident on the Versailles railway, and
to the report of the French savans on the subject. He observed that
the iron on railways becomes crystalline, under the jars to which
it is subjected. He stated, that various causes had been assigned to
the explosion on board the Princeton; and remarked, that if the iron
had been originally fibrous, it certainly is crystalline now, the crystals
being readily distinguishable even by the naked eye. He remarked,
farther, that the defect was supposed to be in the original formation
of the piece, which had become granular, perhaps, in the forging;
and it has been supposed, that the crystalline texture may have been
favoured by the repeated firing of the gun. Mr. Smith thought that
the accident suggested the importance of occasionally annealing
pieces of ordnance, as had been found necessary in the case of rail-
way axles, which are annealed periodically.
VOL. IV.—G
48
Stated Meeting, March 15.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received :—
From Chief Justice Taney, dated Baltimore, March 9, 1844,
in acknowledgment of his election as a member of the So-
ciety :—
From the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Dur-
ham, and Newcastle upon Tyne, dated Newcastle, Dec. 29,
1842, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of the So-
ciety :—
From John B. Sartori, dated Leghorn, Jan. 11, 1844, return-
ing thanks, on the part of his Imperial and Royal Highness,
the Grand Duke of Tuscany, for the Transactions of the Soci-
ety, and in relation to certain other packages sent to M. Sarto-
ri’s care.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Kops et Vander Trappen. Nos. 130 to 131. Amsterdam. 4to.
From H. M. the King of the Netherlands.
Reports of the Natural History Society of the Counties of Northum-
berland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne. For the Years
1831, 1834, 1835, 1336, 1837, 1838, 1840, 1841. 8vo.—From
the Society.
A Catalogue of the Generic and Sub-generic Types of the Class Aves,
Birds, arranged according to the Natural System. Newcastle,
1840. 8vo.—From the same.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. 'Tiende
Deel. 4° Stuk. Leiden, 1843. 8vo.—From the Editors, Van-
der Hoeven and De Vriese.
Erster Zusatz zu der Schrift: Ueber den Galvanismus als Chemisches
Heilmittel u.s. w. Von Dr. Gustav Crusell. St. Petersburg,
1842. 8vo.—From the Author.
Quadro Geografico-Ornitologica ossiu Quadro Comparativo le Orni-
tologie di Malta, Sicilia, Roma, Toscana, Liguria, Nizza, e la
AQ
Provincia di Gard. Compilato da Antonio Schembri. Malta,
1843. 4to.—From the Author.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I]. March, 1844. No. 15.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea 5 Blanchard.
FOR THE CABINET.
A Specimen of Dodecaedral Oxide of Iron, from Berks County, Penn-
sylvania.—From J. C. Trautwine.
Thirty-three Specimens of Fossils from the Himalaya and Sevalik
Hills. Collected by the Rev. James R. Campbell, Missionary of
the Reformed Presbyterian Church, at Saharumpur, Upper India.
From the Rev. Theodore W. J. Wylie.
Mr. Dillingham, pursuant to appointment, read an obituary
notice of Judge Gaston.
The life of Judge Gaston, Mr. Dillingham said, should be written
for the special benefit of the cause of religious toleration. He was
himself a Catholic, and the champion of toleration; his ancestors
were Huguenots, and had been driven from France by the revocation
of the edict of Nantes. They sought refuge in Ireland, where his
father was born, and where his uncle, the Rev. Hugh Gaston, was a
Presbyterian clergyman, eminent for piety and learning, and the au-
thor of a religious work* of high authority. Dr. Alexander Gaston,
the father, received his professional education in the medical school
at Edinburgh, and was subsequently appointed a surgeon in the Bri-
tish navy, but early in life came to this country, and settled at New-
bern, North Carolina. He was distinguished among the patriots of
the revolution, was a member of the committee of safety, and served
in the army,—at times in his professional capacity, and once in the
command of a body of volunteers, which led to his early and tragical
death. He was shot in the presence of his wife and family, under
circumstances which indicate the character of the strife between the
whigs and tories of the revolution. He left a widow and two chil-
dren, one of them, the subject of this notice, but three years old.
Judge Gaston was born at Newbern, N. C., on the 19th of Sept.
1778. His mother was of the Roman Catholic faith. She was dis-
tinguished for prudence, intelligence, and accomplishments, and, by
common consent, moulded the character of her son for that high des-
tiny which he subsequently attained. A disposition, in childhood,
“ «© Gaston’s Concordance
50
“volatile and irritable,” was so trained as to become a pattern of pa-
tience and perseverance. At the age of thirteen he was sent to the
College at Georgetown, where, in the course of two years, by assi-
duous study, he became deeply imbued with a love for the ancient
classics. Much stress is laid upon the advantages he derived from
the instructions of the Rev. Thomas P. Irving, by whom he was pre-
pared to enter the junior class at Princeton, at the age of sixteen,
where he afterwards graduated with the highest honours. He studied
law in his native town with Francis Xavier Martin, now a distin-
guished judge in Lonisiana, and was admitted to practice at the age
of twenty. He was elected at twenty-one to the Senate of the State,
and soon became conspicuous for talents, influence, and usefulness.
In 1808 he was one of the electors for President and Vice-President,
and in 1813 a member of Congress, to which station he was again
elected.
After the year 1817, his sphere of usefulness was limited to his
own State, where, at the bar, in the Legislature, in the Convention to
amend the Constitution, and upon the bench of the Supreme Court,
he was always in action, always strenuous for the right, to the end
of his virtuous and patriotic life.
He died at Raleigh, on the 23d of January last, in the sixty-sixth
year of his age, beloved, revered, and lamented. In him, said Mr.
Dillingham, there was a rare combination of great talents and great
virtues. With genius, learning, and eloquence, he united sound judg-
ment, practical good sense, and untiring industry. He was a ripe
scholar, a sound lawyer, an able statesman, an accomplished gentle-
man, and a Christian in the best sense of the word.
A conversation took place on the subject of the recent action
of the Comptrollers of the Public Schools, in regard to mount-
ing the transit instrument at the High School, in which Mr.
Walker, Professor Hart, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Hays, partici-
pated.
aI
SRR SRP NTI O LEED TD EDEL LE SLL ELLE LEE
Special Meeting, April 2.
Present, thirty members.
Dr. Parterson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman, in the absence of the senior Vice-President
from indisposition, announced that the meeting had been called
on the occasion of the lamented death of the venerable Presi-
dent of the Society, who died on the 1st instant, at the age of
84, He gave a brief history of Mr. Du Ponceau’s long and
useful career, and of the services which he had rendered to the
Society, to the objects for which the Society was instituted,
and to the country. ;
Whereupon the following resolutions were presented by Dr.
Bache, Vice-President, and unanimously adopted :—
Resolved, That the members of the Society will assemble at
the Hall on Thursday afternoon, at 3 o’clock, in order to at-
tend the funeral of their late President.
Resolved, That the President’s chair be shrouded in black
during six months.
Resolved, That a public discourse in commemoration of Mr.
Du Ponceau, be delivered by a member to be appointed for
that purpose.
Resolved, That a letter be addressed to the family of Mr.
Du Ponceau, expressive of the deep sympathy of the Society
in the bereavement which they have sustained, and that it be
accompanied by a copy of these resolutions.
On motion of Dr. Bache, it was resolved to proceed forth-
with to the nomination of an orator, under the third resolu-
tion: whereupon Dr. Dunglison was nominated by Dr. Bache,
and on motion of Mr. C. C. Biddle it was resolved, that the
nomination be now closed, and that Dr. Dunglison be appoint-
ed to deliver the commemorative discourse.
lboto: uli ‘age as
i baa: npaite ts 10% i
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vou. IV. APRIL—JUNE, 1844. No. 30.
Stated Meeting, April, 5.
Present twenty-two members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Mr. Hubbard of New Haven, a visiter, was introduced by
Mr. Walker.
Letters were announced and read:—
1. From Major Graham, dated N. York, March 28, 1844, in
relation to copies, presented by him to the Society, of a pro-
file or vertical section, with the spirit level, of the country
traversed by the due north line from the monument at the
source of the river St. Croix to the river St. John; derived
from surveys executed under his direction in the years 1840
and 1841, while serving as United States’ Commissioner for
the survey of the territory on the N. E. frontier of the United
States, then in dispute with the government of Great Britain.
In presenting this document, Major Graham called the attention
of the Society to the strong contrast which appeared on a comparison
between the aspect of the country traversed by this due north line;
as there developed, and that exhibited by the profile of Col. Bou:
chette, the British surveyor, under the fifth article of the treaty of
Ghent, derived from his surveys of that line, and his barometric mea-
surements upon it, in the years 1817 and 1818.
The direction of the meridian line, whose profile or vertical line
was now offered to the notice of the Society, was obtained from nus
VOL. VI.—H
y o4.
merous astronomical observations, fully verified with a transit instru-
ment, having a telescope of forty-three inches focal length. ‘The
meridian, thus traced, does not meet with any high land or elevation
whatever in passing Mars Hill; but, on the contrary, it passes the
base of that eminence considerably to the eastward, and at a depres-
sion no where less than twelve feet below the level of the base of the
monument, which was erected to mark the source of the river St.
Croix, by the commissioners appointed under the fifth article of the
treaty of 1794, to ascertain and mark the true St. Croix, &c. The
base of this monument is surrounded, unless at seasons of extreme
drought, by the water constituting the extreme source of that river.
The profile of Col. Bouchette shows an elevation of the surface of
the ground upon the meridian line, as it passes Mars Hill, of five
hundred and sixty feet above the level of the monument at the source
of the St. Croix; whereas by the survey of Major Graham, the true
meridian from the monument passes the hill at an actual depression of
twelve feet below the level of the base of the monument. ‘The direc-
tion of the true meridian, as shown upon the profile presented by
Major Graham, was derived from numerous astronomical observa-
tions made with the above mentioned transit instrument; and the
elevations exhibited upon it were derived from a line traced with two
spirit levels, the one following as a check upon the other, from the
level of mean tide at Calais, Me. to the monument at the source of
the St. Croix, and thence along the meridian line to its intersection
with the river St. John.
2. From Sir Wm. Jardine, dated Jardine Hall, by Lockerbie,
Feb, 15, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of Transactions of
the Society, and stating that he had forwarded to the Society
certain numbers of his Annals of Natural History; transmit-
ting a prospectus of the Ray Club, and asking if it might not
hope for support from this country.
The Ray Club was commenced by Sir William, and other friends,
to advance the facility with which works on Natural History, not
always accessible, may be procured. Names and addresses to be
forwarded to Dr. George Johnston, Berwick-upon-T'weed, who has
consented to act as Secretary until the feasibility of the project has
been ascertained, and a council appointed.
Every subscriber of one guinea annually, payable in advance, to
be members of the club.
ay)
f
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Observations on Days of Unusual Magnetic Disturbance, made at the
British Colonial Magnetic Observatories, under the Departments
of the Ordnance and Admiralty. Printed by the British Govern-
ment under the superintendence of Lieut. Col. Edward Sabine, of
the Royal Artillery. Part I. 1840, 1841. London, 1843. 3
Ato.—From the British Government.
Transactions of the Society instituted at London for the Encourage-
ment of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce; with the Premiums
offered for the Sessions 1843-44, and 1844-45. Vol. LIV.
London, 1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Boletin Enciclopedico de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais.
Concluding Number of Vol. II. Valencia, 1848. 8vo.—From
the Society.
An Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of the United States,
for the Year 1842. Prepared in the Office of the Register of the
Treasury. Washington, 1843. 8vo.—From the Treasury De-
partment.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Il. Jan. Feb. 1844. No. 1.—From the Academy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VII. March,
1844. No. 3.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 3.
March, 1844. 8vo.—From the Colonization Society.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sor Silliman and R. Silliman, Jr. Vol. XLVI. No. 2. April,
1844. 8vo.—From the Editors.
A Brief Account of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick,
with Biographical Notices of some of the Members, and Extracts
from the Minutes. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From the Hiber-
nian Society.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M. D. No. XIV. New Series, April, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I]. April, 1844. No. 16.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
Document of Congress, 1st Session 28th Congress, House of Repre-
sentatives. No. 169.—From Major J. D. Graham.
Profile with the Spirit Level, of the due North line from the Monu-
36
ment at the Source of the River St. Croix to the River St. John.
Surveyed in 1840 and 1841, under the direction of Major J. D.
Graham, U. 8. Top. Engineers, &c. &c. Two Copies.—From
the same.
Second Report of the Manufacture of Iron; addressed to the Gover-
nor of Maryland. By J. H. Alexander, late Topographical En-
gineer of the State. Printed by order of the Senate. Annapolis,
1844. 8yvo.—From the Author.
Miscellanies. By Stephen Collins, M.D. Philadelphia, 1842. 12mo.
From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 493 and 494. Altona, January
6 and 13, 1844. Ato.
Mr. Kane announced the death of Professor Sanderson, a
member of the Society, who died on the fifth of April, at the
age of 58; and, on motion, Professor Hart was appointed to
deliver an obituary notice of the deceased.
Professor Hart stated, for the information of the Society, that
a Committee of the Controllers of the High School had re-
solved to mount the transit instrument in the Observatory of
that Institution.
Dr. Hays, on the part of the Committee of Publication, pre-
sented the first part of the ninth volume of the Transactions of
the Society, and drew attention to its important contents and
improved appearance.
Professor Henry made a verbal communication relative to
the cohesion of liquids.
He stated that very erroneous ideas are given as to the constitution
of matter in the ordinary books on Natural Philosophy. The passage
of a body from a solid to a liquid state is generally attributed to the
neutralization of the attraction of cohesion by the repulsion of the
increased quantity of heat; the liquid being supposed to retain a small
portion of its original attraction, which is shown by the force neces-
sary to separate a surface of water from water in the well known ex-
periment of a plate suspended from a scale beam over a vessel of the
liquid. It is, however, more in accordance with all the phenomena
of cohesion to suppose, instead of the attraction of the liquid being
neutralized by the heat, that the effect of this agent is merely to neu-
D7
tralize the polarity of the molecules so as to give them perfect free-
dom of motion around every imaginable axis. The small amount of
cohesion (53 grains to the square inch), exhibited in the foregoing
experiment, is due, according to the theory of capillarity of Young
and Poisson, to the tension of the exterior film of the surface of water
drawn up by the elevation of the plate. ‘This film gives way first,
and the strain is thrown on an inner film, which, in turn, is ruptured;
and so on until the plate is entirely separated; the whole effect
being similar to that of tearing the water apart atom by atom.
Reflecting on this subject, Professor H. had thought that a more
correct idea of the magnitude of the molecular attraction might be
obtained by studying the tenacity of a more viscid liquid than water.
For this purpose he had recourse to soap water, and attempted to
measure the tenacity of this liquid by means of weighing the quan-
tity of water which adhered to a bubble of this substance just before
it burst, and by determining the thickness of the film from an obser-
vation of the colour it exhibited in comparison with Newton’s scale
of thin plates. Although experiments of this kind could only fur-
nish approximate results, yet they showed that the molecular attrac-
tion of water for water, instead of being only about 53 grains to the
square inch, is really several hundred pounds, and is probably equal
to that of the attraction of ice for ice. The effect of dissolving the
soap in the water is not, as might at first appear, to increase the mole-
cular’ attraction, but to diminish the mobility of the molecules, and
thus to render the liquid more viscid.
The communication of Professor Henry gave occasion to
further observations from him in reply to remarks made by
Dr. Patterson.
Dr. Dunglison directed attention to the establishment of the
Sydenham Society of London, instituted with objects similar
to those of the Ray Club,—to facilitate the publication of medi-
eal works and the diffusion of medical literature; and detailed
the plan which the Society intends to pursue in order to carry
its objects into effect.
These objects will consist of a succession of publications, embracing,
among others, 1. Reprints of standard English works, which are
rare and expensive. 2. Miscellaneous selections from the ancient
and from the earlier modern authors, reprinted or translated. 3.
Digests of the works of old and voluminous authors, British and Fo-
38
reign, with occasional biographical and bibliographical notices. 4.
Translations of the Greek and Latin medical authors, and of works
in the Arabic and other Eastern tongues, accompanied, when it is
thought desirable, by the original text. 5. Translations of recent
foreign works of merit and original works of merit, which might
prove valuable as books of reference, but which would not otherwise
be published upon the slender chance of their meeting with a remu-
nerating sale—such as bibliographies, alphabetical and digested in-
dexes, and voluminous periodical publications, &c.
The subscription is one guinea, to be paid in advance, on the 25th
day of March annually, for which the subscriber will be entitled to a
copy of every work published by the Society for the year for which
he subscribes.
Dr. Dunglison stated, that the Society was already very
flourishing, and consisted of 1700 members. The officers are
amongst the most eminent members of the medical profession
in England. At the request of the Council he had consented
to act as Honorary Local Secretary for Philadelphia; and to
receive subscriptions. ‘Two works have been already issued
by the Society.
Mr. Walker communicated the elliptic elements of the Co-
met discovered in Orion on the 23d of November last by Mr.
Fay, and re-discovered in this country by Mr. Joseph S. Hub-
bard, of New Haven, on the 27th of December.
These elements are derived from the Paris observation of
Nov. 25th, the mean of the Hamburg and Berlin observations
of December 17th, and the Philadelphia observations of Jan.
24th. They represent the comet’s path in the heavens within
about one minute of space. They had been computed by Prof.
Kendall with the assistance of Messrs. Downes and Hubbard,
and are as follows, the longitudes being referred to the mean
equinox of December 17th.
Perihelion passage, October 26° 074955' m. t. Greenwich.
Longitude of Perihelion 54° 48' 58.7
Do. Ascending Node 208 6 36. 3
Inclination 11 5 50. 0
Perihelion distance 1,714396
Eccentricity 0.5247541
Angle of do. 31° 30’ 6.''1
a9
Mean Distance 3.607384
Mean daily motion direct 517.''8667
Mr. W. remarked that their general resemblance to those of
Dr. Goldschmidt, seemed conclusive as to the short period of
this heavenly body, which though cometary in its appearance
in the telescope, resembled the asteroids in the shape of its
orbit.
In reply to a question from Dr. Patterson—whether there was
reason to believe, that the Comet had ever been seen before?
Mr. Walker stated, that he had not yet the necessary elements
for a decision.
Stated Meeting, April 19.
Present, twenty-nine members.
Dr. Bacusr, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
1. From the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, dated Boston, Nov. 25th, 1844, offering to present to the
Society certain works, the results of scientific surveys made
under the direction of that Commonwealth:—
2. From the Royal Geographical Society, dated London, Dec.
14, 1843, acknowledging the receipt of the Society’s Proceed-
ings:—
3. From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Bos-
ton, dated April 10th, 1844, enclosing the following resolutions
on the occasion of the death of the President of this Society :—
Resolved, That the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has
received with pain the intelligence of the death of the learned Presi-
dent of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, Peter S.
Du Ponceau, Esq. LL.D., and deeply sympathizes with that Society
on the loss of that eminent man, whose talents and patriotic services
have shed lustre upon our country, and conferred honour upon the
distinguished body over which he was selected to preside, as a wor-
60
thy successor to the illustrious individuals who have, for a long series
of years, been placed at its head.
Resolved, That the profound researches of Mr. Du Ponceau, in
the sciences of jurisprudence and general philology, and especially
on the aboriginal languages of America, of whose remarkable struc-
ture and peculiar characteristics he was the first to communicate to
the learned in Europe and America just and philosophical views, and
by their application to general philology, to extend the boundaries of
that science, are entitled to the gratitude of the jurists and scholars
of our country, and are duly appreciated and recognised by this
Academy, with which he has, for many years, been associated as
one of its honorary members.
4, From the Corresponding Secretary of the National Institute
of Washington, dated Washington, April 6, 1844, in relation
to the same subject: —
5. From the Librarian to the Library of Congress, dated
Washington, April 11, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of
Transactions of this Society :—
6. From Charles V. Walker, Esq., dated London, March Ist,
1844, in relation to Proceedings of the Electrical Society for-
warded to this Society, &c. &c.:—and
From Dr. Dunglison, as one of the executors of the late Mr.
Du Ponceau, dated Philadelphia, April 10, 1844, enclosing a
copy of that part of the will of the late President of the So-
ciety which relates to this Society; and stating that the execu-
tors would carry into effect the object of the bequest at the
earliest possible period.
The following is a copy of the bequest:—
“| give and bequeath to the American Philosophical Society, held
at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful Knowledge, all my books treat-
ing of philological subjects, that is to say, of languages in general,
including hieroglyphics, alphabets, specimens of languages and works
treating of the various systems of writing, excepting such Grammars
and Dictionaries, English, French and Italian, which my grand-
daughter shall think proper to take for her own use. Also, all my
pamphlets in any languages, bound or unbound, separately or toge-
ther, whether relating to politics or literature, or other subjects, ex-
cepting such as my said granddaughter shall think proper to reserve for
her own use. Also, my works of Locke, Condillac, Dumarsais, the
two Humboldt, Dugald Stewart, and Thomas Reid, in their original
61
languages. Also, the Journal Asiatique, with its continuation, in
hopes that the subscription will be continued. Also, the works of
Jomard, Prichard, Klaproth and Remusat. Also, Micali’s History of
the ancient Italian Nations, in Italian, three volumes 8vo., with the
plates belonging to it. Also, the Geography of Maite Brun, as those
books shail be found in my library. * * * [ except from the books
given to the Philosophical Society those of which they are already
possessed, as will appear from their catalogues. These duplicates [
give to my friend John Pickering, above named. As to bound pam-
phlets, if among them there should be any which they already have,
they may still keep the bound volumes for the sake of those which
they have not got, as it would not do to separate them. * * * I give
and bequeath, in addition to the other bequests to the American
Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia for Promoting Useful
Knowledge, my Moniteur Universel, or Gazette Nationale, in twenty-
one volumes folio, being the History of the French Revolution and of
Europe, from 1789 to 1800, with an additional odd volume of a sub-
sequent date, and the six volumes of Indexes to the same, entitled
Tables Chronologiques and Tables Alphabétiques, in quarto.”
The will bears date Nov. 11, 1889.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XII. Part I. London, 1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the London Electrical Society. Session 1842-43.
Part V. S8vo.—From the Society.
Annales des Mines. Rédigés per les Ingenieurs des Mines. Quatri¢me
Série. Tome IV. [Ve livraison de 1848. Juillet—Aott. 8vo.—
From the Engineers of Mines.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VII. April,
1844. No.4. 8vo.—From Dr. Paiterson.
Report of the Select Committee appointed upon the following Resolu-
tion offered by Mr. Pratt on the 29th of January last, viz.—‘ Re-
solved, that a select committee of five members of this house be
appointed to inquire into the expediency of establishing a Bureau
of Statistics and Commerce in connexion with the Secretary of
the Treasury.” 28th Congress, Ist Session, House of Represen-
tatives. No. 301.—From the Hon. Mr. Prait.
Observations of the Magnetic Dip in the United States. Fourth Se-
VOL. IV.—I
62
ries. By Elias Loomis. Extracted from Vol. VIII. New Series,
of the Transactions A. P. S.—From the Author.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Know-
ledge. For the Year 1843. London. 12mo.—From Petty
Vaughan, Esq.
A History of British Ferns. By Edward Newman, F.L.S., B.S., &c.
Parts 1 and 2. Second Edition. London, 1844. 8vo.—From
the Author.
The Zoologist: an Illustrated Magazine of Natural History. Nos.
XII. XIV. XV. Jan. to March, 1844. 8vo.—From Edward
Newman, Esq., Editor.
An Essay on the Laws of Trade, in Reference to the Works of In-
ternal Improvement in the United States. By Charles Ellet, Jr.
Richmond, 1839. 8vo.—fF rom the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisitme Série. Tome IX.
Novembre, Décembre, 1848. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences; par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels. Tome XVIII.
Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive. 4to.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 495, 496. Altona, Feb. 17 and
18,1844. to.
An obituary notice of Professor John Sanderson was read
by Professor Hart, pursuant to appointment.
Mr. Sanderson was born on the banks of the Conedogwinit, near
the village of Carlisle, in Cumberland County, about the year 1786.
His grandfather, Alexander Sanderson, emigrated from Carlisle,
Cumberland County, England. He and his companions were the
first settlers in that part of Pennsylvania, and they named the county
and the town after their birth-place. Professor Sanderson’s father,
in 1798, sold his share of the paternal estate, and purchased a plan-
tation on the banks of the Juniata, opposite Mifflintown, where Pro-
fessor Sanderson received the rudiments of his education. At an
early age he evinced such a disposition for study, and so great a dis-
like for farming, that his father determined to prepare him for a pro-
fession. At the age of 20, in 1806, he entered the office of Wm.
More Smith, Esq., of Philadelphia, to study the law; but at the expi-
vation of two years he abandoned the study, and soon after accepted
63
a situation at Clermont Seminary, where he subsequently became a
partner of M. Carré, whose daughter he had married; and for many
years the establishment was conducted in their joint names. During
this period he wrote for the periodicals, especially the Port Folio and
the Aurora. In 1820 he edited the Biography of the Signers of the
Declaration of Independence, in which he wrote an historical sketch
of this country to the period of the Revolution, with the lives of Han-
cock, Franklin, Wythe, and others. He wrote, also, various pam-
phlets on literary subjects, and whenever opportunity offered, vindi-
cated the study of the Greek and Latin languages when endeavours
were made to exclude them from colleges. About the year 1833 he
retired from the occupation in which, at the expense of health, he
had accumulated a moderate independence, and settled, with his
family, in Pottsville, and soon afterwards travelled abroad and spent
some time in Paris: during this visit he wrote his ‘‘ American in
Paris,” and commenced the “ American in London,” the first portion
of which, and the only part that was published, appeared in the
Knickerbocker.
On the reorganization of the High School of Philadelphia in 1840,
he was made Professor of Ancient Languages, which situation he
held till his death. A portion of his duties at the High School led
him to direct his attention particularly to the study of his native
tongue, and he had in course of preparation a work on the Etymo-
logy and Structure of the English Language.
“That,” Professor Hart observes, “which chiefly distinguished
him as a writer, was his power of observation and delineation. He
had, in consequence, a remarkable talent for that species of writing
which consists in giving vivid sketches of passing characters and
events. Our popular literature contains few more readable books
than his ‘ American in Paris.’ His mind was a perennial fountain of
wit, sparkling, buoyant, and playful—of that laughter-loving kind
which never failed to produce hilarity, as it was never known te
provoke resentment. He was a man eminently devoid of guile or
malice. Simple in manners and address, and almost child-like in his
feelings, he won from those who knew him, and particularly from his
pupils, something higher and holier even than respect. He was be-
loved. He had a native kindliness of disposition which always finds
its way to the heart.”
Professor Locke read a communication on Terrestrial Mag-
netism, the result of several years’ observation in various parts
64
of the United States, which was referred to a Committee,
consisting of Professor Frazer, Mr. M‘EKuen and Professor
Bache.
He gave a brief history of the circumstances which induced him toe
undertake these researches, in which he made a grateful acknow-
ledement for the kind and able instruction, especially in the practical
manipulations, received from Professor Bache of this Society, while
in London and Paris. He read a part of the correspondence be-
tween himself and Col. Sabine on the subject of the point of maxt-
mum intensity at or near to Lake Superior, and suggested, as the
probable result of his researches and of those of Lieut. Lefroy,
briefly alluded to by Col. Sabine, that the region of maximum inten-
sity is either at Kewenon peninsula, south side of Lake Superior, or
along a line extending thence to Rainy Lake—the last opinion having
been expressed by Col. Sabine in his correspondence. ‘To determine
this point more precisely, Prof. Locke suggested that observations
should be multiplied in various parts of the region of the lake. The
observations were prefaced by a popular explanation of what is meant
by the four elements of terrestrial magnetism, declination (“varia-
tion”) dip or inclination, horizontal intensity of magnetic force, and
total intensity of the same force. ‘These explanations were followed
by the observations of six successive years, commencing in 1838,
and extending more or less over the region included between the
middle of Kentucky on the south, and the north side of Lake Supe-
rior on the north; and between Cambridge, Mass., on the east, to the
middle of Iowa on the west. His observations had been accompa-
nied throughout by remarks on the geology at each station, and he
expressed the opinion that those observations justified the conclusion,
that the general character of the rocks, especially as regards the dis-
tinction between the aqueous and the igneous formations, could be
ascertained by the elements, as indicated by lines of observations ex-
tended along any given region. He exhibited a chart illustrative of
this subject, on which the two quantities of dip and intensity were
represented by curves passing through ordinates standing on hori-
zontal distances, generally along lines of latitude. These curves,
along regions of aqueous rocks, such as those along the Mississippi,
were remarkably uniform, while those over igneous rocks were ex-
tremely irregular and undulating, sometimes ascending and descend-
ing with a needle-like sharpness. He remarked, that if these dis-
tinctive characters obtain so generally as to constitute a law, the
65
magnetical instruments will form a kind of “mineral or divining
rod” to the geologist.
There was exhibited, also, a chart of the United States, showing,
chiefly, the isodynamic lines consistent with the observations. ‘These
lines form ovals around Lake Superior as an axis, the longer or
pointed ends pointing towards New York, and in the opposite direc-
tion. The outer oval descending along the Hudson river, passing
through the city of New York, along the coast, to near Baltimore,
and, turning westward, traverses Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky,
and crosses the Mississippi into Missouri about thirty miles below St.
Louis. ;
The force along this line is 994, that at Cincinnati, in Ohio, being
1000; and an oval is delineated at every increase of 10, until, at the
axis at Lake Superior, it rises to from 1054 to 1060. But, Professor
Locke stated, more observations are needed to fix more precisely those
lines at remote points, and he expressed a desire, that the observa-
tions of Major Graham, Prof. Bache, and Prof. Loomis, together with
his own, might be united in a suitable chart, such as might be pro-
duced by a convention of observers. ‘Two other charts, explained
in the communication, were also exhibited; the one a copy of a part
of Col. Sabine’s north polar chart, with additions, and with a delinea-
tion of the relative positions of the astronomical poles, the pole of
dip and convergence discovered by Ross, and the pole of intensity at
Lake Superior; and the other a particular delineation of Copper
Harbour and of Porter’s Island, where, in Prof. L.’s line of observa-
tions, he found the greatest intensity of force.
Dr. Dunglison read the following supplementary remarks
made by the late President to his last will and testament, in re-
lation to this Society, as well as to others.
«‘ Having thus disposed of my worldly property, I take the liberty to
recommend to my brethren of the bar the Law Academy of Philadel-
phia, that they may take it under their special protection, so as to
make it as useful as possible to the progress of our noble science. A
law professorship has long been wanted in this city: several of the
states have the advantage of us in this respect. I recommend this
important subject to the consideration of the friends of the legal
science, and who are desirous of making it redound more and more
to the honour of Pennsylvania.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is in danger of perishing
66
for want of support. While almost every other state has an histori-
cal society, shall it be said that Pennsylvania wants one? Under the
auspices of its illustrious founder, William Rawle, it has produced
interesting and valuable memoirs; the honour of the state requires
that the work should be continued. I recommend to them to increase
the number of their members, and, perhaps, to raise the annual sub-
scription to five dollars. I would also recommend to them to apply
for aid to the Legislature: no one would be better able than a com-
mittee from their body to continue the publication of our ancient re-
cords so honourably begun, and which appears to be suspended.
Science and literature are the glory of a state; canals and rail roads
are perishable. ‘The noble aqueducts, temples, roads, of the Greeks
and Romans, have perished, but their literary fame will last forever.
If England were sunken into the ocean, her fame would be per-
petuated by the works of her admirable historians, philosophers,
and poets. Let those, whose minds are impressed with these feel-
ings, exert themselves and act.
I hope the annual celebration of the landing of the great William
Penn will not be discontinued, and that the Society will revive under
better auspices than have for some time attended it. Might it not be
remodeled and united to the Historical Society ?
The American Philosophical Society have only to pursue their
present honourable course.
The above objects being very near my heart, ! have ventured to
give vent to my feelings upon them. Perhaps it is out of place, but
my heart is full, and I could not help it.”
The following gentlemen were elected members of the So-
ciety :—
Samus. S. Hatpeman, of Lancaster County, Pa.
Grorer W. Norris, M.D., of Philadelphia.
Josern Carson, M.D., of Philadelphia.
67
Stated Meeting, May 3.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Cuarpman, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Drs. Carson and Norris, newly elected members, were in-
troduced to the presiding officer, and, having signed the con-
stitution, took their seats.
Letters were announced and read:—
From Count Jacob Graberg da Hemso, dated Florence, Jan.
15, 1844, acknowledging, as Chamberlain and Chief Librarian
of his Imperial and Royal Highness, the Grand Duke of Tus-
cany, the election of his Imperial and Royal Highness as a
member of this Society, and the thanks of his-Imperial and
Royal Highness for the donation of eight volumes of the
Transactions of the Society :—
From Mr. Haldeman, dated Chicquesalunga, Pa., April 22d,
1844, acknowledging his election as a member of the So-
ciety :—
From the Botanical Society of London, dated March 1,
1844, returning thanks for Proceedings of this Society:—
and,
From Professor Bache, dated Washington, April 25, 1844,
on transmitting a letter from Mr. Riimker, of Hamburg, re-
lating to computations of the elements of the comet discovered
by Mr. Mauvais.
Elements of Mauvais’ Comet.
T = 1843, (May) 6.0232920 (Mean time, Greenwich).
Log. g = 0.2083948
7 = 281 27 47.58 .
From the mean equinox
dj, = 157 14 51.45
of July 3d, 1843.
t= 52 44 0.98
Motion direct.
Co-ordinates referred to the Ecliptic and the Mean Equinox of
July 3d, 1843.
x =r [9.9783885] sin [v-+ 19 58 0.36]
y =r [9.8320335] sin [v + 269 30 33.0 ]
z==r [9.9008179] sin [v -} 124 12 56.13]
The quantities between the brackets are logarithms.
68
The following times are referred to the meridian of the place of observation
annexed. The longitudes and latitudes are computed directly from the
observations, and are referred to the apparent equinox of the day of obser-
vation. The times are not freed from aberration, but the longitudes and
latitudes are corrected for parallax. Whence the following comparison
with the elements.
Reck—
Time of Longitude=/.| Obs. | Latitude =d. ab Place of
Observation. | A Observation.
h Yj Ws fe) / W us OF “4 W
15 10 54.0 | 341 29 51) — 01/+40 4 56] — 03) Paris.
13 30 45.0 | 342 2 31.9) — 7.5 | +39 49 58.1) + 0.0 | Paris.
13 12 47.0 | 343 11 54.2 | — 3.3 | +39 19 26.7 | + 0.9 | Paris.
13 25 3.0 | 344 19 45.7 | — 7.0} +38 48 3.8) + 4.9 | Paris.
12 20 46.0 | 349 47 25.0 | + 21 | +35 50 9.5|-+ 1.3 | Konigsberg.
13 6 32.0 | 350 15 4.7 | — 25 | + 35 32 40.2 | — 0.3 | Konigsberg.
12 27 8.0 | 350 40 26.1 | + 42) +35 16 63 |— 3.4 | Konigsberg.
12 35 3.0 | 350 40 56.8 | + 12.6 | +35 15 44.2 | — 7.3 | Berlin.
11 57 47.0) 351 55 10.7 | ++ 7.9 | + 34 24 32.3 | — 4.0 | Konigsberg.
12 49 10.1 | 351 56 57.1 | — 3.8 | + 34 23 17.6 | + 2.3 | Hamburg.
13 29 37.0 | 351 57 58.3 | -+ 6.6 | +34 22 30.8 | — 2.0 | Paris.
1253 88/353 7 10.7 | — 1.6 | +33 30 18.0 | + 61 | Padua.
12 12 17.0 | 353 28 17.3 | + 3.5 | +33 13 32.7 | — 6.4 | Konigsberg.
13 10 1.9 | 353 29 42.4 | + 3.5 | + 33 12 30.6 | —13.4 | Padua.
12 30 54.0 | 353 50 22.8 | + 5.0 | +32 55 17.4 | — 6.5 | Konigsberg.
12 44 21.3 | 353 51 8.2) + 9.5 | +32 54 17.3 | + 11.6 | Hamburg.
12 9 11.8 | 354 12 2.6 | + 0.1 | +32 36 43.1 | + 3.2 | Hamburg.
13 2 31.8 | 304 33 21.9 | 4+ 3.9 | +32 17 o1.1 | + 2.9 | Padua.
12 24 14.0 | 355 12 8.3) + 65] +31 41 55.7 | — 4.0 | Konigsberg.
12 34 6.0 | 355 31 19.8 | + 61 | +31 23 5.0 | — 9.6 | Konigsberg.
12 35 22 | 355 50 26.1} + 91 ]+31 3 37.9] +4 3.8 | Hamburg.
12 48 5.5 | 355 50 421) +126/]+31 3 7.3 | +11.1 | Bonn.
1250 84 | 355 50 37.5 | +18.7 | +31 313.2 |-+ 3.6 | Bonn.
13 39 20.0 | 355 51 48.2 | + 0.0 | +31 2 41.1 | —18.1 | Paris.
12 19 52.3 | 356 8 33.1 | + 0.5} +30 44 47.2 | — 6.1] Bonn.
12 45 0.5 | 356 8 42.2) + 9.3 | +30 44 35.1 | — 9.9 | Bonn.
12 37 21.0 | 356 8 56.9 | + 3.8 | +30 44 22.3 | —10.3 | Paris.
12 30 31.4 | 356 26 6.0 | — 5.2 | +30 25 37.1 | — 4.1 | Hamburg.
12 30 34.0 | 357 44 28.5 | +15.9 | +28 48 7.2 | — 8.7 | Konigsberg.
1213 8.9 | 358 38 25.7 | + 4.6 | +27 26 0.5 | —13.9 | Bonn.
12 34 34.2 | 358 38 42.3 | — 1.2 | + 27 25 48.9 | —18.5 | Bonn.
11 14 15.4 | 358 49 47.3 | +11.8 |) +27 5 465 | — 21 | Bonn.
12 19 24.0 | 358 49 55.1 | + 9.7 | +27 5 40.2 | — 6.0 | Konigsberg.
11 11 22.5 | 359 1 9.7 | +13.1 | +26 44 46.8 | — 5.6 | Bonn.
11 54 11.8 | 359 119.8 | +228 | +26 44 16.1 | —12.8 | Bonn.
12 43 32.0 | 359 139.3 | 4+ 1.8 | +2644 7.4 | —11.2 | Konigsberg.
12 12 57.0 | 359 12 16.8 | + 0.5 | +26 23 19.8 | — 4.1 | Konigsberg.
11 29 74 | 359 32 12.5 | +.22.8 | +25 40 22.0 | — 29.8 | Bonn.
12 8 29.3 | 359 32 17.0 | +.17.4 | +25 39 27.7 | —11.4 | Bonn.
12 11 51.1 | 359 32 43.0 | —11.8 | + 25 39 45.9 | — 22.2 | Hamburg.
12 8 6.0 | 359 41 22.3 | — 2.0 | +25 18 22.1 | — 14.0 | Konigsberg.
12 2 49.7 | 359 58 14.4 | —146 | +24 33 19.2 | — 22.4 | Hamburg.
11 48 28.6 O 11 54.4 | + 7.6 | + 23 47 44.8 | — 21.0 | Bonn.
12 41 46.1 O12 11.4 | + 4.7 | + 23 46 38.1 | — 5.6 | Bonn.
12 40 57.1 018 16.4 | + 25 | + 23 23 45.6 | —12.4 | Hamburg.
Ie hi Bx) 0 36 21.0 | + 7.9 | +21 49 16.8 | —28.6 | Padua.
J1 59 51.0 0 39 20.3 | + 5.7 | +21 25 11.6 | —12.7 | Konigsberg.»
12 1) 24.4 0 45 17.8 |} + 0.1 | +19 42 49.9 | — 0.3 | Hamburg.
Reck—
Date. | Time of |Longitude=I.) Obs. | Latitude =b. Ab Place of
Observation. MS ip Observation.
1843. h ‘ i“ ie) / “ “ OO “i “4
July 7 | 13 18 53.0 0 44 19.3 | — 2.0 | +18 49 66 |) — 1.3 | Hamburg.
CB) | TGS er her 0 40 55.6 | — 7.9 | +17 56 49.1 | —20.8 | Hamburg.
1] | 12 27 42.9 0 34 34.3 | +10.3)/+17 0 56.1 | — 39] Bonn.
19 | 12 4 48.2 | 359 43 215 | +11.1 | +13 7 11.7] + 5.6 | Hamburg.
20 | 12 0 22.7 | 359 34 33) + 22 | +12 36 32.6 | —14.6 | Bonn.
24 | 10 54 15.0 | 358 50 37.1 | —18.0 | +10 31 20.1 | — 15.6 | Bonn.
24) 11 33 6.9 | 358 49 41.6 | +31.3 | +10 29 59.4 | +.14.4 | Bonn.
26/11 4 15.7 | 358 24 80) + 0.1 | + 9 25 52.3 | —16.8 | Bonn.
26 | 11 37 1.4 | 358 23 37.6 | + 27.0 | + 9 24 43.9 | + 33 | Bonn.
26 | 11 56 35.5 | 358 23 44.4) + 04) + 9 24 41.5 | — 2.3 | Hamburg.
28 | 12 24 44.4 | 357 54 475 | — 40] + 817 344 | — 2.8 | Hamburg.
30 | 11 32 52.7 | 357 24 85 | — 69} + 7 11 13.7 | — 3.3 | Hamburg.
Aug. 1 | 12 54 42.1 | 356 49 12.4) + 12/]+ 6 0 36.3 | —129 | Bonn.
1 | 13 12 27:9) | 356 49 105 | — 98) —--6 0 7.1 | — 9:3 | Bonn:
3 | 10 54 13.9 | 356 14 27.7 | +13.5 | + 4 54 0.1 | — 6.5 | Bonn.
3 | 11 45.19.83 | 356 14 15.1 | — 4.7 | 4+ 4 52 53.4 | + 2.5 | Hamburg.
4/12 30 1.8 | 355 54 394 | + 40) + 4 16 57.0 | — 4.8 | Hamburg.
6 | 12 29 55.8 | 355 15 9.9) +11.9|)+4 3 6 37.4 | — 6.7 | Hamburg.
7|13 6 1.3 | 354 54 326 |)+ 06}]-+ 2 30 18.4) — 1.9 | Hamburg.
17 | 9 40 52.7 | 351 9 37.6 | — 48] — 3 18 15.6] +4 0.5 | Bonn.
19S) MOM 45:07) 350 197334) 2'6>) — 428) 616) |= 13) Bonn:
19 | 11 23 4.1 | 350 18 19.7 | + 7.7 | — 4 29 346 | 4+ 23 | Hamburg.
20 | 11 32 15.2 | 347 45 16.2 | + 7.7 | — 7 50 21.6 | + 25.5 | Bonn.
25 | 13 15 20.5 | 347 43 51.4 | — 46] — 7 51 59.3 | + 1.8 | Hamburg.
26 | 12 52 481 | 347 18 22.9) 4 48] — 8 23 324) 4 9.3 | Hamburg.
281 10%4353!6) 1346) 29) 1233) |) ==) 2!5) | =" 9123174) 2:5) |) Bonn:
28 | 11 34 41.6 | 346 28 40.0 | —12.2 | — 9 24 11.2 | + 0.8 | Hamburg.
30 | 14 7 24.4 | 345 34 37.5 | + 0.6 | —10 27 59.0 | + 8.8 | Hamburg.
31 | 10 33 19.1 | 345 12 32.5 | +11.5 | —10 53 22.3 | + 8.1 | Bonn.
3] | 11 54 46.3 | 345 11 445 | — 9.1 | —10 54 38.0 | + 4.8 | Hamburg.
Sept.2 | 10 57 39.7 | 344 22 17.9 | — 0.3 | —11 50 41.4 | + 0.5 | Hamburg.
2 | 13 54 15.6 | 344 19 16.3 | — 2.1 | —11 54 19.5 | + 12.2 | Hamburg.
W. C. GOTZE.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Books bequeathed to the Society by its late President, Pe-
ter S. Du Ponceau, LL.D.
Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel. Commencing on Thurs-
day, the 24th November, 1789, and ending on Monday, the 22d
September, 1800. Paris. 21 Vols. Folio.
The same Work, from the 23d September, 1800, to the 30th Decem-
ber. 1 Vol. Folio.
The same, from the 21st January to the 19th July, 1805. 1 Vol.
Folio.
VOL. IV.—K
70
The same, from the 22d March to the 22d June, 1809. 1 Vol.
Folio.
The same, from the 19th September to the 19th December, 1809.
1 Vol. Folio.
Révolution Francaise. Table Alphabétique du Moniteur, de 1787
jusqu’a ’an 8 de la République (1799). Paris, 1802. 3 Vols.
4to.
Analyse Complette et Impartiale du Moniteur; suivie d’une Table
Alphabétique des Personnes et des Choses. Paris, 1801. 3
Vols. 4to.
Diccionario Trilingue del Castellano, Bascuence, y Latin, su autor el
Padre Manuel de Larremendi. San Sebastian, 1745. 2 Vols.
Folio.
A Complete Dictionary, English and Dutch. Originally compiled by
Mr. Sewel; augmented and improved by Egbert Buys. Amster-
dam, 1766. 2 Vols. 4to.
An English and Swedish Dictionary. By Jacob Serenius. Second
Edition. Harg and Stenbro (Sweden), 1757. 4to. To which
is added, Dictionarium Suethico-Anglo-Latinum. Stockholm,
1741. Ato.
A Dictionary of the Portuguese and English Languages. By Antho-
ny Vieyra Transtagano. Londen, 1778. 2 Vols. 4to.
A Dictionary of the Abnaki Language, in North America; by Father
Sebastian Rasles. With Memoir and Notes by John Pickering.
Cambridge, 1833. Ato.
Scriptures Linguzeque Pheenicie. Guil. Gesenius. Lipsie, 1837,
Ato.
Recherches sur les Langues Tartares. Par M. Abel-Rémusat. Paris,
1820. Tomel. 4to.
Gustavi Seyffarthi, Prof. Lips. Rudimenta Hieroglyphices. Lipsie,
1826. Ato.
Trésor des Origines et Dictionnaire Grammatical raisonné de la
Langue Francaise. Par Charles Pougens. Specimen. Paris,
1819. Ato.
» Athanasit Kircheri Fuldensis Buchonii, Prodromus Coptus sive
/Agyptiacus. Rome, 1636. to.
The Origin and Progress of Writing, as well Hieroglyphic as Ele-
mentary. By Thomas Astle, Esq., F. R.S. Second Edition,
with additions. London, 18038. 4to.
Uber die Kawi-Sprache auf der Insel Java, nebst einer Einleitung
uber die Verschiedenheit des menschlichen Sprachbaues und ihren
71
Einfluss auf die geistige Entwickelung des Menschengeschlechts.
Von Wilhelm Von Humboldt. Berlin, 1836, 1839. 3 Vols. 4to.
Philological Tracts and Miscellanies, in various Languages. 4 Vols.
4to.
Cornelii Schrevelii Lexicon Manuale Greco-Latinum et Latino-Gre-
cum. Londini, 1781. 8vo.
Lexicon HMeyptiaco-Latinum ex Veteribus Lingue Aigyptiacee Monu-
mentis. Ab Henrico Tattam, A.M. Oxon, 1835. 8vo.
Dictionarium Universale Latino-Gallicum. Ad usum Sermi Dom-
barum Principis. Parisiis, 1786. 8vo.
Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, including the
Biblical Chaldee. By Josiah W. Gibbs, A.M. Andover, 1824.
8vo.
Nouveau Dictionnaire Francois-Allemand et Allemand-Francois a
PUsage des deux Nations. Strasbourg, an. VIII. 2 Vols. 8vo.
Abundantissimum Cornucopie Lingue Latinz et Germanice Selec-
tum. Opere et Studio Adami Friderici Kirschii. Noriberge,
1718. 8vo.
A New Dictionary of the Spanish and English Languages. By
Henry Neuman. London, 1802. 2 Vols. 8vo.
Johann Christoph Adelungs Auszug aus dem Grammatisch-Kritischen
Worterbuche der Hochdeutschen Mundart. Leipzig, 17938, 1802.
4 Vols. 8vo.
Archéologie Frangaise, ou Vocabulaire de Mots anciens tombés en
désuétude, et propres a étre restitués au langage moderne. Par
Charles Pougens. Paris (Didot), 1821, 1825. 2 Vols. 8vo.
Dictionnaire Francais-Wolof et Francais-Bambara, suivi du Diction-
naire Wolof-Francais. Par M. J. Dard. Paris, 1825. 8vo.
Gradus ad Parnassum. Rothomagi, 1775. 8vo.
Dictionnaire Portatif, Russe-Francais-Allemand. Riga, 1805. Small
Ato.
Dictionnaire Portatif, Francais-Russe-Allemand. Riga, 1805. Simall
4to.
Deutch-Russisch-Franzésisches Taschen-Worterbuch. Riga, 1835.
Small 4to.
Nouveau Dictionnaire de Poche Frangais-Allemand et Allemand-
Francais. Leipzig, 1802. Small 4to.
Dictionnaire Francois-Breton ou Francois-Celtique du Dialecte de
Vannes. Leide, 1744. 12mo.
Grammaire de la Langue Arménienne. Par J. Ch. Cirbied, Armé-
nien. Paris, 1823. 2 Vols. 8vo.
M2
L’Alfabet Européen Appliqué aux Langues Asiatiques. Par C. F.
Volney. Paris, 1819. 8vo.
Essai sur l’Origine de ’Ecriture, sur son introduction dans la Gréce,
et son usage jusqu’au temps d’Homére. Par M. le Marquis de
Fortia d’Urban.. Paris, 1832. 8vo.
Méthode pour Etudier la Langue Grecque Moderne. Par Jules Da-
vid. Paris, 1827. &vo.
Elémens de la Grammaire Turke. Par P. Amédée Jaubert. Paris,
1823. Ato.
Recherches Critiques et Historiques sur le Langue et la Littérature de
’Egypte. Par Etienne Quatremcre. Paris, 1808. 8vo.
Histoire Naturelle de la Parole. Par Court de Gébelin. Avec un
Discours Préliminaire. Par M. le Comte Lanjninais. Paris,
1816. 8vo.
Précis du Systeme Hiéroglyphique des Anciens Egyptiens. Par M.
Champollion le jeune. Paris, 1824. 8vo.
Grammaire Générale et Philosophique. Par M. le Comte E. de
Montlivault. Paris, 1828. 8vo.
Méthode pour Etudier la Langue Grecque. Par J. L. Burnouf. Paris,
1813. 8vo.
Grammaire Frangaise de M. Charles-Constant Le Tellier, traduite en
Gree Moderne sur le 39e Edition, augmentée, ete. Par Georges
Théocaropoulos de Patras. Tomel. Paris, 1827. 8vo.
A Hebrew Grammar, with a copious Syntax and Praxis. By Moses
Stuart. Andover, 1821. 8vo.
Russische Spruchlehre fir Deutsche. Von Johann Heym. Riga,
1804. 8vo.
Ueber den Ursprung und die verschiedenartige Verwandtschaft der
Europaischen Sprachen. Von Christian Gottlieb von Arndt.
Frankfurt am Main, 1818. 8vo.
Die Sprache der alten Preussen. Von Johann Severin Vater.
Braunschweig, 1821. 8vo.
Elémens de la Grammaire Japonaise, par le Pére Rodriguez. ‘Tra-
duits du Portugais. Par M. C. Landresse. Paris, 1825. 8vo.
Elémens de la Grammar Chinoise. Par M. Abel-Rémusat. Paris,
1822. 8vo.
Hermes, or a Philosophical Inquiry concerning Universal Grammar.
_ By James Harris, Esq. Sixth Edition. London, 1806. 8vo.
An Introduction to the Irish Language. By the Rev. Wm. Neilson,
D.D. Dublin, 1808. 8vo.
73
Vergleichungstafeln der Europiischen Stamm-Sprachen und Siid-
West-Asiatischer. R.K. Rask, and others. Halle, 1822. 8vo.
Proben Deutscher Volks-Mundarten, Dr. Seetzen’s linguistischer
Nachlass, und andere Sprach-Forschungen und Sammlungen,
beforders iider Ostindien, herausgegeben von Dr. Johann Severin
Vater. Leipzig, 1816. 8vo.
Apologia de la Lengua Bascongada, 6 Ensayo critico filoséfico de su
Perfeccion y Antigiiedad sobre todas las que se conocen. Por
D. Pablo Pedro de Astarloa. Madrid, 1803. §8vo.
Grammaire Romane, ou Grammaire de la Langue des Troubadours.
Par M. Raynouard. Paris, 1816. 8vo.
Grammaire Générale. Par Auguste Francois Estarac. Paris, 1811.
2 Vols. 8vo.
Analekten der Sprachenkunde. Von Dr. Johann Severin Vater.
Leipzig, 1821. 8vo.
Latin Syntax, chiefly from the German of C. G. Zumpt. By Charles
Beck. Boston, 1838. 8vo.
Grammaire Philosophique, ou la Métaphysique, la Logique, et la
Grammaire réunies en un seul corps de Doctrine. Par Dieu-
donné Thiebault. Paris, 1802. 2 Volsin1. 8vo.
An Easy Introduction to the knowledge of the Hebrew Language,
without the Points. By James P. Wilson, D.D. Philadelphia,
1812. S8vo.
Grammaire Arabe 2 lusage des Eleves de l’Ecole Spéciale des
Langues Orientales vivantes, avec Figures. Par A. J. Silvestre
de Sacy. Paris, 1810. 2 Vols. 8vo.
A Greek Grammar for the Use of High Schools and Universities.
by Philip Buttman. ‘Translated from the German, with addi-
tions, by Edward Robinson. Andover, 1833. 8vo.
Vocabulaire et Grammaire de la Langue Géorgienne. Par M. J.
Klaproth. Paris, 1827. 8vo.
Versuch einer Literatur der Sanskrit-sprache. Von Frederich Ade-
lung. St. Petersburg, 1830. 8vo.
A Grammar of the German Language, systematically arranged on a
new plan. By Caspar J. Beleké. Philadelphia, 1840. 8vo.
A Grammar of the Spanish Language, with practical Exercises. By
M. Josse. Revised by F. Sales. Boston, 1832. 8vo.
Grammaire Basque. Par M. H. Lécluse. Toulouse, 1826. 8vo.
Arte de Lengua Mexicana, Compuesto por el Bachillerd Antonio
Vasquez Gastelu, el Rey de Figueros, &c. Corregido segun su
74
original por el Br. D. Antonio de Olmedo y Torre. 1716. Small
Ato.
Abrégé de la Grammaire Polonaise. Par M. Sciborski. Lucko,
1789. 8vo.
Danish Grammar, adapted to the use of Englishmen. By Frederick
Schneider. Copenhagen. 12mo.
Grammaire Hollandaise de Philippe la Grue. Corrigée et augmen-
tée considérablement. Par Guillaume Sewel. Amsterdam, 1762.
12mo.
Principes de Grammaire Générale, mis a la portée des Enfans, et
propres a servir d’Introduction 2 l’Etude de toutes les Langues.
Par A. J. Silvestre de Sacy. Paris, 1822. 12mo.
El Impossible Vencido. Arte de la Lengua Bascongada. Su au-
thor El. P. Manuel Larramendi, de la Compania de Jesus. En
Salamanca, 1729. 12mo.
A Grammar of the Greek Language; translated from the French of
I. L. Bernouf, by Edward Damphoux, D.D. Baltimore, 1825.
12mo.
Allgemeine Grammatik. Von Ludwig Heinrich Jacob. Leipzig,
1814. 12mo.
The Columbian Grammar: or an Essay for reducing a Grammatical
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Litteratur der Grammatiken, Lexica und Wértersammlungen aller
Sprachen der Erde, nach alphabetischer Ordnung der Sprachen,
mit einer gedraingten Uebersicht der Vaterlandes, der Schicksale
und Verwandtschaft derselben. Von Dr. Johann Severin Vater.
Berlin, 1815. 8vo.
Greece Grammaticee Westmonasteriensis. By James Ross, A.M.
Philadelphia, 1817. 12mo.
Traite de la Formation Méchanique des Langues et des Principes
Physiques de l’Etymologie. (Par le President de Brosses,) Pa-
ris, An IX. 2 Vols. 12mo.
The Propaganda Collection of Alphabets, Grammars, and Vocabu-
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Arte de la Lengua Mexicana. Por el Br. en sagrada Teologia D.
Rafael Sandoval. En Mexico, 1810. 12mo.
Arte de la Lengua General del Reyno de Chile. Compuesto por el
P. Andres Febres, misionero de la Comp. de Jesus. Afio de
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De la Antiquedad, y Universalidad del Bascuenze en Espana; de sus
perfecciones, y ventajas sobre otras muchas Lenguas, demonstra-
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M. D. L. En Salamanca, 1728. 12mo.
Nouvelle Méthode, complette et facile, pour apprendre la Langue
Allemande, par le moyen de la Francoise. A Strasbourg, 1699.
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Gronlandsk Grammatica. Otho Fabricius. Copenhagen, 1801.
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Principes Généraux de la Langue Danoise. Par Mathias Hagerup.
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A Compendious Grammar of the Old Northern or Icelandic Lan-
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By George P. Marsh. Burlington, Vermont, 1888. 12mo.
Matthias Kramer’s Niederdeutsche oder Hollandische Grammatik.
Leipzig, 1774. 12mo.
The American System of English Syntax, developing the construc-
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Brown. Philadelphia, 1837. 12mo.
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First Lessons in French: consisting of Rules and Directions for the
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Vocabulaire Nouveau, ou Dialogues Frangais et Bretons. Vannes.
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French Dialogues and Phrases, with an English Translation. By
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African Lessons. Wolof and English. In three Parts. London,
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Lectures on the Greek Language and Literature. By N. F. Moore,
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Elements of English and German Conversation on Familiar Subjects.
By George Crabb. Fourth Edition. London, 1816. 12mo.
He Helunaau, he mea E Maa’i he Kanaka, i ku Helu isna Mea a Pau
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Systema Phoneticum Scripture Sinicee. Auctore J. M. Callery. Ma-
cao, 1841. 2 Vols. S8vo.
Dialoghi Piacevoli in Dialetto Vernacolo Triestino colla Versione
Italiana di D. Giuseppe Mainati. ‘Trieste, 1828. 8vo.
Historical View of the Slavic Language in its various Dialects.
From the Biblical Repository, conducted by Edward Robinson,
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Uebersicht aller bekannten Sprachen und ihrer Dialekte. Von
Friedrick Adelung. St. Petersburg, 1820. 8vo.
A Vocabulary of Words in the Hawaiian Language. Lahainaluna,
1836. 8vo.
Catecismo y Declaracion de la Doctrina Christiana en Lengua
Otomi, con un Vocabulario del Mismo Idioma. Compuesto por
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Johann August Eberhards Synonymisches Handworterbuch der
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Hoikehonua, he mea ia e Hoakaka’ii Ke anoo ka Honua Nei. A
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Abinoji Aki Tibajimouin. In the Ojibwa Language. Boston, 1840.
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Minuajimouin Gaizhibiiget au St. John. The Gospel of St. John in
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Minuajemouin Gainajimot au St. Luke. By S. Hall and George
Copway- Boston, 1837. 12mo.
Lutheri Catechismus ifwersalt p& American-Virginiske Spraket.
Stockholm, 1696. 12mo.
Gallaudet’s Picture Defining and Reading Book; also the New Tes-
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The Acts of the Apostles, translated into the Choctaw Language.
Boston, 1859. 12mo.
Cours d’Etude pour l’Instruction du Prince de Parme. Par M.
Abbé de Condillac. A Genéve et a Lyon, 1789. 16 Vols.
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(CEuvres de Du Marsais. Paris, 1797, An. V. 7 Vols. 8vo.
Des Tropes ou des differens sens dans lesquels ou peut prendre un
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Lyon, An. XII., 1804. 12mo.
77
Essai sur le Pali, ou Langue Sacrée de la Presqu’ile au-dela du
Gange. Par E. Burnoufet Chr. Lassen. Paris, 1826. 8vo.
Geschichte der Neuern Sprachenkunde. Von Johann Gottfried
Eichhorn. Gdottingen, 1807. 8vo.
Melanges Philologiques: a Collection of Pamphlets. 5 Vols. 8vo.
Lettre 4 M. Dacier, relative 4 l’Alphabet des Hiéroglyphes Phone-
tiques employés par les Egyptiens, etc. Par M. Champollion le
jeune. Paris, 1822. 8vo.
Examen Critique des Travaux de feu M. Champollion, sur les Hiéro-
glyphes. Par M. J. Klaproth. With other Pamphlets on Hiero-
glyphics. 8vo.
An Account of some Recent Discoveries in Hieroglyphical Literature
and Egyptian Antiquities. By Thomas Young, M.D., F.R.S.
London, 1823. 8vo.
Tableau des Peuples qui habitent Europe, classés d’aprés les langues
quils parlent, et ‘Tableau des Religions qu’ils professent. Par
Frédéric Schell. Paris, 1812. 8vo.
Histoire des Cantabres, ou des premiers Colons de toute !’Europe,
avec celle des Basques, et leur langue, etc. Par l’Abbe d’Iharce
de Bidassouet. Paris, 1825. Tome ler. 8vo.
Bibliotheca Sanscrita: Literatur der Sanskrit-sprache. Von Fried-
rich Adelung. St. Petersburg, 1837. 8vo.
Testamentitokab Makpérsegejsa Ilangocet, Mosesim Aglegéjsa Ard-
lejt Tedlimejdlo, lobid, Esrab, Nehemiab, &c. Kjébenhavnime,
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Det Nye Testamente, oversat fra Grundsproget. London, 1814.
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London, 1813. 12mo.
Vermischte Kritische und Satyrische Schriften. Von Joh. Jak.
Dusch. Altona, 1758. 12mo.
Lettres Cabalistiques, ou Correspondance Philosophique, Historique,
et Critique. Tome ler. A la Haye, 1737. 12mo.
Natuur-Tafeveelen; Met Wetenschappelijke Ophelderingen. Door
Alexander Von Humboldt. Naar het Hoogduitsch door Gerrit
Troost. Hage, 1808. 8vo.
Extrait ?une Traduction MS., en Langue Berbére de quelques par- *
ties de ’Ecriture Sainte: contenant XII. Chapitres de St. Luke.
Londres, 1833. 8vo.
VOL. IV.—L
78
Untersuchungen tiber Amerika’s Bevolkerung aus dem alten Konti-
nente dem Herrn Kammerherrn Alexander Von Humboldt ge-
widmet von Johann Severin Vater. Leipzig, 1810. 8vo.
Priifung der Untersuchungen tiber die Urbewohner Hispaniens ver-
mittelst der Baskischen Sprache. Von Wilhelm Von Humboldt.
Berlin, 1821. Small 4to.
Ethnography of the Celtic Race. By J. C. Prichard, M.D., F.R.S.
8vo.
Briefwechsel zwischen Schiller und Wilhelm Von Humboldt. Stutt-
gart, 1830. 12mo.
Nene Karighwiyoston Tsinihorighhoten ne Saint John. ‘The Gospel
according to St. John. London. 12mo.
Précis de la Géographie Universelle, ou Description de toutes les
parties du Monde, sur un plan nouveau. Par M. Malte-Brun.
Paris, 1810—1829. 8 Vols. 8vo. With a folio volume of
Charts.
Mémoires Relatifs a2 l’Asie, contenant des Recherches Historiques,
Géographiques et Philolegiques sur les Peuples de Orient. Par
M. J. Klaproth. Paris, 1824—1828. 3 Vols. 8vo.
Of the Origin and Progress of Language. Second Edition, with
large Additions and Corrections. (Lord Monboddo.) Edin-
burgh, 1774—1792. 6 Vols. 8vo.
Mithridates oder allgemeine Sprachenkunde mit dem Vater Unser als
Sprachprobe in bey nahe fiinfhundert Sprachen und Mundarten,
von Johann Christoph Adelung. Berlin, 1806—1817. 4 Vols.
in 6 Parts. 8vo.
Philosophical Essays. By Dugald Stewart, Esq. Philadelphia,
1811. 8vo.
A General View of the Progress of Metaphysical, Ethical, and Poli-
tical Philosophy, since the Revival of Letters in Europe. In
two Dissertations. By Dugald Stewart, Esq. Boston, 1822.
Svo.
Elements of the Philosophy of the Human Mind. By Dugald Stew-
art. New York, 1818. 2 Vols. 8vo. The 3d Volume, Phila-
delphia, 1827. 8yo.
The Works of Thomas Reid, D.D., F.R.S. Ed. Charlestown,
(Mass.) 1813—1815. 4 Vols. 8vo.
Saggio di Lingua Etrusca e di altre antiche d'Italia per servire alla
Storia de’ Popoli, delle Lingue e delle Belle Arti dell’? Ab. Luigi
Lanzi. LEdizione Seconda. Firenze, 1824—1825. 3 Vols.
Svo.
79
Storia degli Antichi Popoli Italiani di Giuseppe Micali. Firenze,
1832. 3 Vols. 8vo., and Folio Atlas.
Researches into the Physical History of Mankind. By James
Cowles Prichard, M.D., F.R.S. Third Edition. London, 1836,
1837. 2 Vols. 8vo.
The Eastern Origin of the Celtic Nations proved by a Comparison of
their Dialects with'the Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, and ‘Teutonic Lan-
guages. Forming a Supplement to Researches into the Physical
History of Mankind. By James Cowles Prichard, M.D., F.R.S.
Oxford, 1881. 8vo.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, etc. etc., publié par la
Société Asiatique. Paris, 1824—1827. 7 Vols. 8vo.
Nouveau Journal Asiatique, par la méme Société. Paris, 1828—
1835. 16 Vols. 8yvo.
Journal Asiatique, par la méme Société. ‘Troisiéme Série. Paris,
1836—1839. 8 Vols. Svo.
Société Asiatique: Rapports Annuels, 1823 to 1828, inclusive. 8vo.
Archzologia Americana: Transactions and Collections of the Ameri-
can Antiquarian Society. Cambridge, Mass., 1836. Vol. II.
Svo.
Introduction a ? Atlas Ethnographique du Globe. Par Adrien Balbi.
Paris, 1826. Tome I. 8vo.
Vater’s Sprachlehre. Halle, 1801—1804. 2 Vols. 12mo.
History of the European Languages; or Researches into the Affini-
ties of the Teutonic, Greek, Celtic, Sclavonic, and Indian Na-
tions. By the late Alexander Murray, D.D. Edinburgh, 1823.
2 Vols. 8vo.
De l’Influence de l’Ecriture sur le Langage. Mémoire qui, en 1828,
a partagé le prix fondé par Volney. Par A. A. E. Schleier-
macher. Darmstadt, 1835. 8vo.
China, or Illustrations of the Symbols, Philosophy, Antiquities, Cus-
toms, Superstitions, Laws, Government, Education, and Litera-
ture, of the Chinese. Derived from Original Sources, and ac-
companied with Drawings from Native Works. By Samuel
Kidd, Professor of the Chinese Language and Literature, Univer-
sity College, London. London, 1841. 8vo.
Cours de Littérature Francaise, par M. Villemain. Paris, 1828.
8vo.
Vues des Cordilléres, et Monumens des Peuples indigénes de I’Amé-
rique. Par Al. de Humboldt. Avec 19 planches, dont plusieurs
coloriées. Paris, 1816. 2 Vols. 8vo.
80
Voyage aux Régions Equinoxiales du Nouveau Continent, fait en
1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 et 1804; par Al. de Humboldt et
A. Bonpland, rédigé par Alexandre de Humboldt; avec un At-
las Geéographique et Physique. Paris, 1816—1826. 12 Vols.
8yo.
A Collection of Orations and Public Discourses, bound in seven vo-
lumes Svo.
A Collection of English Pamphlets. 17 Vols. 8vo.
A Collection of French Pamphlets. 12 Vols. 8vo.
A Collection of Miscellaneous Pamphlets. 3 Vols. 8vo.
A Collection of Loose Pamphlets.
A Manuscript Volume of Indian Vocabularies. Folio.
A Manuscript Volume, entitled, Minutes of a Chinese Lexicon.
Translated from the Latin and enlarged, by J. W. Folio.
Essai de Solution du Probleme Philologique proposé en l'année 1823,
par la Commission de I’Institut Royal de France chargée de la
disposition du Legs de M. le Comte de Volney. A Manuscript
in 4to.
Eight Scrap Books, containing Slips or Cuttings from Newspapers.
Nine small MS. Note Books on subjects of Philology.
A MS. Vocabulary of various American Languages.
A MS. Common-place book.
Nouveaux Meélanges Asiatiques, ou Recueil de Morceaux de Critique
et de Mémoires relatifs aux Religions, aux Sciences, aux Cou-
tumes, a |’Histoire et a la Géographie des Nations Orientales.
Par M. Abel-Rémusat. Paris, 1829. 2 Vols. 8vo.
Sprachatlas to Asia Polyglotten. By Julius Klaproth. Paris, 1823.
Folio.
[The whole number of printed volumes announced was 353;
besides which there are numerous pamphlets. |
Fifty-seventh Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York. Made to the Legislature February 28,
1844. Albany. 8vo.—From the Regents.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 4.
April, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Colomzation Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. No. 17. May, 1844.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
Will of Stephen Girard. Opinion of the Supreme Court of the
81
United States, delivered February 27, 1844, by Mr. Justice
Story. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From Thomas P. Cope.
Dr. Patterson announced the death of the senior member of
the Society, Mr. Benjamin Chew, who died in Germantown
on the 30th ultimo, aged 86 years.
He likewise announced the death of Judge Baldwin, who
died in Philadelphia on the 21st of April.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, Mr. Charles J. Ingersoll was
appointed to prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Chew.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Kane was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Judge Baldwin.
Professor Frazer, on the part of the Committee consisting
of himself, Mr. M‘Kuen, and Professor Bache, appointed on
the paper of Professor Locke, read at the last meeting, re-
ported in favour of publication, which was ordered accord-
ingly.
On motion, leave was granted to Mr. Thomas Gilpin to read
a printed paper, entitled, “On the Representation of Minori-
ties of Electors to act with the Majority in Elected Assem-
blies,’’ which he has addressed to the American Philosophical
Society.
Dr. Hays drew the attention of the Society to a case of de-
fective vision, arising, he conceived, from modified refractive
power on the part of the crystalline; which he illustrated by
diagrams. The communication gave occasion to observations
from Dr. Patterson, Professors Cresson and Frazer, Mr. Rich-
ards, Mr. Dillingham, Mr. Smith, and Dr. Bache. Professor
Cresson related a case in which a person was incapable of dis-
tinguishing vertical lines; but with the use of concave glasses
he could discover vertical, but not horizontal lines. The de-
fect was remedied by the use of cylindrical glasses. Dr. Hays
alluded to a case in which the humours of the eye were doubly
refractive; but he did not think that such was the fact in the
example of defective vision which he had related to the So-
ciety. He had, indeed, proved by experiment that it was not
so.
Dr. Dunglison, in the absence of Mr. Kane, Reporter for the
year 1843, announced the publication of No. 28 of the So-
82
ciety’s Proceedings; and as Reporter for the present year, he
announced that No. 29 of the Proceedings, to April last, would
be issued in a day or two; and that both numbers would be
distributed together to non-resident members.
Stated Meeting, May 17.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Parterson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences at Munich,
dated June 22, 1843, requesting an interchange of Transac-
tions, &c., between the two Societies, and enclosing a list of
the prizes proposed by the Mathematico-physical class of the
Academy for the year 1843.
On motion of Mr. Kane, it was resolved that the Royal Ba-
varian Academy should be placed on the list of correspondents
of the Society, and that the Transactions and Proceedings of
the Society should be regularly transmitted to it.
From the New York Historical Society, dated New York,
May 8, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions
of the Society :—
From the Baron de Ladoucette, dated Paris, February 20,
1844, on presenting a copy of a work of which he is the au-
thor:—
From Mr. C. J. Ingersoll, dated Washington, May 6, 1844,
stating that his public occupations would render it impossible
for him to perform the task assigned him, of delivering an
cbituary notice of the late Mr. Chew.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Almanach der kéniglichen bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaf-
ten. Miinchen, 1843. 12mo.—From the Royal Academy of
Sciences of Munich.
85
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VII. May,
1844. No. 5.—From Dr. Patterson.
Bulletin des Séances de la Société Royale et Centrale d’Agriculture,
Compte rendu mensuel. Rédigé par M. Soulange Bodin, Vice-
Sécrétaire. Tome ler. 1837—1840. Paris, 1841. 8vo. Tome
2d. 1841,1842. Paris, 1842. 8vo.—From Mr. D. B. War-
den, Paris.
Essai sur |’Instruction des Femmes, par Mme. la Comtesse de Groing
la Maisonneuve. Troisiéme Edition. Tours, 1844. 12mo.—
From the same.
Amélioration du Régime Alimentaire des Hépitaux, des Pauvres et
des Grandes Réunions d’Hommes vivant en commun. Par M.
D’Arcet. Paris, 1844. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Nouvelles, par J. C. F. Ladoucette. Deuxi¢me Edition. Paris, 1844.
8vo.—From the Author.
Théorie des Machines Simples, en ayant égard au frottement de leurs
parties, et a la roideur des cordages. Picce qui a remporte le
Prix double de Académie des Sciences pour l’Année, 1781. Par
M. Coulomb. Paris, 1809. 4to.—From Professor John F.
Frazer.
Lectures on the more important Diseases of the Thoracic and Ab-
dominal Viscera. Delivered in the University of Pennsylvania.
By N. Chapman, M.D. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From the
Author. i
On the Representation of Minorities of Electors to act with the Ma-
jority, in elected Assemblies. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From
Thomas Gilpin.
Dr. Patterson gave an account of an automaton speaking ma-
chine, which Mr. Franklin Peale and himself had recently in-
spected.
The machine was made to resemble as nearly as possible, in every
respect, the human vocal organs; and was susceptible of varied
movements by means of keys. Dr. Patterson was much struck by
the distinctness with which the figure could enunciate various letters
and words. The difficult combination three was well pronounced—
the th less perfectly but astonishingly well. It also enumerated
diphthongs, and numerous difficult combinations of sounds. Sixteen
keys were sufficient to produce all the sounds. In enunciating the
simple sounds, the movements of the mouth could be seen. The
84
parts were made of gum elastic. The figure was made to say with
a peculiar intonation, but surprising distinctness, ‘¢ Mr. Pat-ter-son, I
am glad to see you.” It sang ‘God save Victoria,” and ‘Hail, Co-
lumbia,” the words and air combined. Dr. Patterson had deter-
mined to visit the maker of the machine, Mr. Faber, in private, in
order to obtain farther interesting information; but on the following
day Dr. P. was distressed to learn, that in a fit of excitement he had
destroyed every particle of a figure which had taken him seventeen
years to construct.
Professor Henry made a second communication on the sub-
ject of cohesion.
He had prosecuted his experiments on the soap bubble to a greater
extent, and had arrived at a number of results which appeared to him
of some interest in reference to capillarity, a subject which had given
rise to a greater diversity of opinion than any other part of natural
philosophy. As an evidence of its present unsettled state, he men-
tioned the fact, that the last edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica
contained two articles on this subject, under different names; one by
Dr. Young, and the other by Mr. Ivory, which explain the phenome-
na on entirely different physical principles.
According to the theory of Young and Poisson, many of the phe-
nomena of liquid cohesion, and all those of capillarity, are due toa
contractile force existing at the free surface of the liquid, and which
tends in all cases to urge the liquid in the direction of the radius of
curvature towards the centre, with a force inversely as this radius.
According to this theory the spherical form of a dew-drop is not the
effect of the attraction of each molecule of the water on every other,
as in the action of gravitation in producing the globular form of the
planets, (since the attraction of cohesion only extends to an unappre-
ciable distance) but it is due to the contractile force which tends con-
stantly to enclose the given quantity of water within the smallest sur-
face, namely, that of a sphere. Professor H. finds a contractile force
perfectly similar to that assumed by this theory in the surface of the
soap bubble; indeed, the bubble may be considered a drop of water
with the internal liquid removed, and its place supplied by air. The
spherical force in the two cases is produced by the operation of the
same cause. ‘The contractile force in the surface of the bubble is
easily shown by blowing a large bubble on the end of a wide tube,
say an inch in diameter; as soon as the mouth is removed, the bubble
will be seen to diminish rapidly, and at the same time quite a forcible
85
current of air will be blown through the tube against the face. This
effect is not due to the ascent of the heated air from the lungs with
which the bubble was inflated, for the same effect is produced by in-
flating with cold air, and also when the bubble is held perpendicular-
ly above the face, so that the current is downwards.
Many experiments were made to determine the amount of this
force, by blowing a bubble on the larger end of a glass tube in
the form of the letter U, and partially filled with water; the con-
tractile force of the bubble, transmitted through the enclosed air,
forced down the water in the larger leg of the tube, and caused it to
rise in the smaller. The difference of level observed by means of a
microscope, gave the force in grains per square inch, derived from
the known pressure of a given height of water. The thickness of
the film of soap water which formed the envelope of the bubble, was
estimated as before by the colour exhibited just before bursting. The
results of these experiments agree with those of weighing the bubble,
in giving a great intensity to the molecular attraction of the liquid;
equal at least to several hundred pounds to the square inch. Several
other methods were employed to measure the tenacity of the film, the
general results of which were the same: the numerical details of
these are reserved, however, until the experiments can be repeated with
a more delicate balance.
The comparative cohesion of pure water and soap water was de-
termined by the weight necessary to detach the same plate from each;
and in all cases the pure water required the greater force. The want
of permanency in the bubble of pure water is therefore not due to
feeble attraction, but to the perfect mobility of the molecules, which
causes the equilibrium, as in the case of the arch without friction of
parts, to be destroyed by the slightest extraneous force.
Several other experiments with films of soap water were also
described, which afford striking illustrations of the principles of capil-
larity, and which apparently have an important bearing on the whole
subject of cohesion.
Professor Henry’s communication gave rise to observations
from Dr. Ludlow, Professor Frazer, and Mr. Trautwine.
On motion, the Librarian was authorized to present a
copy of the Catalogue of the Library to the Academy of Natu-
ral Sciences of Philadelphia.
VOL. IV.—M
86
Stated Meeting, June 21.
Present, twenty-four members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
1. From M. Quetelet, President of the Commission Centrale
de Statistique, of Belgium, dated Bruxelles, Jan. 31, 1844, on
transmitting the first volume of the Bulletin of the Commis-
sion, and stating that it would be agreeable to the Commission
to receive in exchange any American publications connected
with statistics, and the sciences relating thereto:—
2. From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Moscow, Sept. 28, 1843, accompanying a donation of Transac-
tions of that Society: —
3. From the Massachusetts Historical Society, dated Boston,
May 31, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IX. Part 1,
of the new series of the Transactions of the Society :—
4. From the British Association for the Advancement of
Science, dated London, March 1, 1844, inviting the members
of the Society to the next meeting of the Association, to be
held in the City of New York, on the 26th of Sept. 1844:—
5. From Prince Maximilian de Wied, (being an extract from
a letter from him to Dr. Morton,) dated Nieu-Wied on the
Rhine, and accompanying a donation of his Travels into the
interior of North America, from 1832 to 1834:—
6. From Professor Riimker, dated Hamburg, April 23, 1844,
containing the elliptic elements, ephemeris, and a comparison
with the observations of the Comet discovered by Mr. Bremi-
ker, calculated by Mr. Gétze:—
Perihelion passage, 1840, Jan. 3184.70143 m. t. Berlin.
*Longitude of the ascending node, 248° 55’ 57.15
*Inclination of the plane of the orbit, 57 57 51.59
Distance of perihelion from node, 133° 36’ 87.33
Angle of eccentricity = 9 of Gauss, 76 5 21.52, where sin 9 =e
Log. of least distance, 0.1705436
Log. of semi-axis major, 1.7032559
Log. d= Log. (1 — e), 8.4672877
* Referred to the ecliptic and the mean equinox of 1841, Jan. 0.
, 87
From these elements, the following co-ordinates of the comet have been
computed with reference to the equator, the mean equinox of 1841, Jan. 0, and
Bessel’s mean obliquity of the ecliptic, 23°27'36’.06.
=r [9.7865707] sin (w+ 97 36 53.34)
y =r [9.9989828] sin (v-+ 12 41 53.70)
z =r [9.8998221] sin (x + 105 42 19.84)
And for the reduction of these co-ordinates to the actual apparent equator,
I have used the following differential formule.
dx=r [9.97884] sin (v + 212° 3’ 22) dd)
dy=xcosedd|—zde
dz=zsinedA+yde
where d is the reduction of the mean to the apparent equinox, and d ¢ is the
difference of the apparent from the mean obliquity of the ecliptic.
With these formule, and with the assistance of the excellent tables given
by Bessel in the 12th volume of the Monatliche Correspondenz, the comet’s
co-ordinates have been carefully computed with reference to the apparent
equator; and by the aid of the sun’s co-ordinates in the Berlin Jahrbuch for
1841, the corresponding geocentric places of the comet have been obtained
free from aberration. Whence the following ephemeris for mean noon, Ber-
lin, has been prepared, with the hundredths of a second, as correct as they
can be obtained from the solar tables with seven placed logarithms.
88
Date.
1840.
Oct. 27
29
31
Nov. 2
4
App. R. A.
OMe “
279 47 31.82
282 9 34.48
284 41 41.68
287 24 4.98
290 16 47.55
293 19 43.52
296 32 34.10
299 54 47.92
303 25 37.21
307 3 57.96
310 48 30.68
314 37 41.73
318 29 47.31
322 22 55.69
326 15 16.29
330 5 1.99
333 50 34.32
337 30 28.94
341 3 36.74
344 29 5.09
347 46 18.33
300 54 55.01
303 54 47.96
356 45 59.79
309 28 43.24
2 3 16.19
4 30 1.58
6 49 2457
Y) il SSR}
11 7 54.63
13) 9755.01
15 2 21.39
16 51 38.40
18 36 9.41
20 16 16.48
21 52 20.38
+41
WW G2 OO CO Os WO CD
RS SO KCN O
SIGE ie ©
$e H+
0 0D 0
—Oooe
39 50.42
58 30.12
12 57.82
3 24 12.47
33 15.11
41 648
48 44.87
57 4.22
6 54.00
18 56.78
33 49.17
52 0.24
13 52.66
39 42.74
9 41.37
43 54.30
22 23.44
0).0449701
0.0375830
0.0301131
0.0225905
0.0150474
0.0075221
0.0000600
9.9927071
9.9855225
9.9785668
9.9719081
9.9656188
9.9597773
9.9544637
9.9497600
9.945747 1
9.9425040
99401018
9.9386055
9.9380674
9.9385282
9.9400130
9.9425306
9.9460748
9.9506208
9.9561314
9.9625541
9.9698256
9.9778743
9.9866217
9.9959868
0.0058882
0.0162455
0.0269835
0.0380293
0.0493184
5
0.1764649
0.1752183
0.1741138
0.1731544
0.1723422
0.1716791
0.1711665
0.1708065
0.1705992
0.1705453
0.1706450
0.1708980
0.1713039
0.1718614
0.1725692
0.1734256
0.1744286
0.1755756
0.1768643
0.1782913
0.1798536
0.1815476
0.1833697
0.1853157
0.1873819
0.1895639
0.1918572
0.1942575
0.1967604
0.1993612
0.2020552
0.2048381
0.2077051
0.2106518
0.2136734
0.2167657
km 09 WO Co HE O1
ANVSHRWE SSH WH.
WMWWHL OV
© He
OUSd
ee)
OCD CD DD BABA AF FF ED EB EEE EIEIO DDD DMM OL
s Log.
Log.'r. |493.15 A.|8s.5776 A
0.88840
0.89579
0.90326
0.91078
0.91832
0.92585
0.93331
0.94066
0.94785
0.95480
0.96146
0.96775
0.97359
0.97891
0.98361
0.98762
0.99087
0.99327
0.99476
0.99530
0.99484
0.99336
0.99084
0.98730
0.98275
0.97724
0.97082
0.96354
0.95550
0.94675
0.93738
0.92748
0.91712
0.90639
0.89534
0.88405
89
The following comparison of the elements with the observations published in
Volume 18th of Schumacher’s Ast. Nachr., cleared of parallax and aberra-
tion, leaves the annexed differences. The times are not yet freed from
aberration, and are those of the respective meridians of the places of ob-
servation.
BERLIN.
Berlin A2zcosd Ad
Date. | Mean Time.|Observed R. A. |Reck.—Obs.| Observed Dec. |Reck.—Obs.
1840. h ty ORS “ uy
Oct.27| 10 17 46.00} 280 16 43.13 + 0.20
28} 8 2511.00} 281 21 46.77 | + 4.31
29| 8 25 41.00; 282 35 30.63 | —12.40
[e}
+ 69 ==
+6056 547| + 1.01
+ 60 +
30| 6 54 24.00| 283 45 4486 | + 3.83 |+ 6056 1218] — 353
30] 8 10 40.00] 283 49 5265 | + 209 |+6056 932] — 1.89
31/ 8 825.00] 28 8 955| — 392 |+ 6055 32.77] — 3.06
Noy.1| 749 8.00] 286 27 45.88| — 209 |-1 60 54 9887| — 5.99
2| 9 22 31.00} 287 56 35.16 | — 264 |1+ 60 52 39.32| — 5.34
3] 7 3459.00] 238916 8.00] — 264 |+ 6050 3483] —10.20
9| 12 96 3500) 299 43963] + 152 |+6017 43.88] + 1.92
11] 727 800] 30211 1798| + 430 |+60 0 44.66| + 0.29
12] 8 34 55.00} 304 32930] + 171 |+59 4853.58| — 0.72
1841
Jan.10| 8 61200} 25511149 | —1519 |+18 55811| —1912
201 8 2 3.00] 32241784) + 538 |11311 455| —9591
Feb. 7| 651 7.00) 4217 36.05 | — 445 |-+ 7 26 28.74| —92603
16| 7 5459.00! 46 42 26021 + 045 |+ 5 3317.95| — 0.45
1840. HAMBURG.
Oct.31] 8 22 0.08| 28510 055| —13.96 {+60 55 29.75) — 1.06
Nov.1] 6 52 26.82| 286 25 5497| —1923 |-++ 60 54 31.32| — 5.88
2) 10 28 10.86] 288 12131} — 538 |+ 60 5211.31! +1609
3) 550 524| 289 10 3767| — 293 |+60 51 11.03| —36.45
3) 715 19.82] 289155150] — 5.14 |-+ 60 50 33.82] — 8.54
4/1320 214] 291 71414) — 915 |+ 60 46 3756| — 4.71
11] 655 5920] 302 101074] — 064 1460 04825] +4 418
12] 6 27 1141] 303 55 20.93} —10.70 |4+5950 321] —13.66
13} 8 5 480] 305 51 4364| —1434 |4+5936 5.87| + 9.14
14) 9 29 4297] 307 48 4584| —11.17 | +59 21 20.41| —13.37
15| 6 41 1484] 309 27 37.80] — 802 |+59 7 7.08| + 243
18| 6 345483] 315101458] —1142 |1+58 95782! + 682
190-6 48-3613 | 31% 7 21.67 | —1315. | 4-57 47 16.43 |+— 084
20/625 93651. 319 137341 — 495 | 4.57 23 1451 |, 947
24| 6 44 4253| 326 48 3137| — 8.74 |4+55 26 042| — 402
25| 625 260| 398 4151.72} — 250 |154 521558] + 638
26] 7 917.20] 330 39 4387| — 9.35 |454 15 2753| — 9.37
29| 7 33.59.12] 336 16 3839| — 8s9 |452 15 4733| —15.43
Dec.2} 911 4.79) 341 441920] —11.79 |44958 526| —1331
3) 7 7 282] 343181258] — 056 |4+ 49 13 42.97| +9937
3| 8 49 21.41| 343 95 39.78| — 843 |449 10 5429] —1613
13] 7 42 40.03| 358 34 54.95| — 565 |44019 5.74] — 658
14) 7 05717| 359 52 2152] — 940 |439 24 20.63] + 518
16] 8504324) 9231 3541| —1797 |4.37 975942] — 361
18] 7 3423.16) 452 4696| + 057 |435 39 34.84] —1478
19] 8 475590| 6 62918} — 797 |+34 41 30.08] — 903
21| 8 24139] 8185537] — 294 |+32 54 45.79| —926.47
23| 758 57.91| 10 26 55.93] — 677 |-1+31 8 40.11| —19.49
25| 7 422308! 12998 307] + 034 |+29 9611.80] —13.55
26} 8 81001] 13 275382| + 108 |+98 345495] — 1.16
27| 9 31 19.89] 14 285834] —1905 |+27 43 46.35| + 6.77
90
7. From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge,
Mass. dated Cambridge, May 2, 1844, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of Proceedings and Transactions of the Society :—
8. From Mr. D. C. Freman, dated Washington, N.C., June 3,
1844, suggesting the publication of the whole of the obituary
notice of Judge Gaston, read before the Society by Mr. Dil-
lingham; and on motion of Mr. Kane permission was granted
to the author to publish the same should he desire it.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VI. Nos. 3, 4,5. 8vo.—From the Society.
Nouveaux Mémoires de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Mos-
cou. Tome VII. Formant le tome XIII. de la Collection. Mos-
cow, 1842. 4to.—From the Society.
Royaume de Belgique. Ministere de l’Intérieur. Bulletin de la Com-
mission Centrale de Statistique. ‘Tome I. Bruxelles, 1843.
Ato.—From the Central Commission.
Statistique de la Belgique. Population, Mouvement de l’Etat Civil
pendant l’année 1841. Publié par le Ministre de [Intérieur.
Bruxelles, 1843. Folio.—From the same.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the year 1841. By Manuel J. Johnson, Radcliffe Obser-
ver. Published by order of the Radcliffe Trustees. Oxford,
1843. Vol. Il. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trustees.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. ‘Third
Series. Vol. VII. No. 6. June, 1844. 8vo.— From Dr. Pat-
terson.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. I. December, 1841. No.9. Vol. II. March and April,
1844. No. 2.—From the Academy.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. Nos. 5
and 6. May and June, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Co-
lonization Society.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Vol. XII. Nos. 77, 78, 79, 80. 8vo.—
From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
Magazine of Zoology and Botany. Vol. JI. No. 10. October,
1837. 8vo.—From the same.
91
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. I. No. 4. April, 1844. 8vo.—From the Editor.
Reise in das Innere Nord-America in den Jahren, 1832 bis 1834.
Von Maximilian, Prinz zu Wied. Erster Band. Coblenz, 1839.
Ato. Zweiter Band. Coblenz, 1841. 4to. With an Atlas of
Plates in Folio.—From Maximilian, Prince of Wied.
History of the United States, from the Discovery of the American
Continent. By George Bancroft. Vol. II. Tenth Edition.
Boston, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Magnetical Investigations. By the Rev. Wm. Scoresby, D.D., F.R.S.,
etc. etc. Part I. London, 1839. 8vo. Part II. London, 1843.
8vo.— From the Author.
Essays on Magnetism. By the Rev. Wm. Scoresby. Edinburgh,
1832-3. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Remarks on the Probability of Reaching the North Pole. By the
Rey. Wm. Scoresby. From the Edinburgh New Philosophical
Journal, for July, 1828. 8vo.—From the same.
On some Circumstances connected with the Original Suggestion of the
Modern Arctic Expeditions. Communicated by the Rev. Wm.
Scoresby, D.D., in a Letter to the Editor of the Edinburgh New
Philosophical Journal. 8vo.—From the same.
Notizie Elettriche. By Ferdinando Elice. Genoa, 10th March,
1844. 12mo.—From the Author.
Report of Capt. George W. Hughes (Topographical Engineers) rela-
tive to the Working of Copper Ore. Senate Document, 28th
Congress, No. 291.—From Col. J. J. Abert.
Annual Report of Commissioner of Patents. 28th Congress, First
Session, No. 177. House of Representatives.—From the Hon.
J. R. Ingersoll.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. I. June, 1844. No. 18.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
A Lecture on the Study of Botany. Read before the Ladies’ Botani-
cal Seciety, at Wilmington, Delaware, March 2,1844. By Wm.
Darlington, M.D. 8vo.—From the Author.
Reliquize Baldwinianee: Selections from the Correspondence of the
late William Baldwin, M.D. With Occasional Notes, and a
Short Biographical Memoir. Compiled by Wm. Darlington,
M.D. Philadelphia, 1843. 12mo.—From W. H. Dillingham,
Esq.
Ueber die Sterblichkeit der Weiszen und der Schwarzen im Straf-
hause von Philadelphia.—From B. H. Coates, M.D.
92
A Hebrew Lexicon, transcribed from Dr. John 'Taylor’s Concord-
ance of the Holy Scriptures. 4to. MS.—From Mrs. Mary
Taylor.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY FURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 497 to 502, inclusive. 4to.
Professor Hart stated, for the information of the Society,
that the Transit Instrument at the Observatory of the High
School is now in complete operation, and that observations are
made with it nightly.
Dr. Bridges made some observations on the affinity between
certain metals, and especially on the belief that iron and mer-
cury cannot be amalgamated. He exhibited a specimen in
which such amalgamation existed. He first observed this ac-
cidentally. The mercury in the specimens adhered very
firmly to the iron.
Mr. Lukens referred to cases in which the amalgamation
had been effected when an iron plate was scraped under mer-
cury; in other words, when the contact of air was prevented.
Dr. Patterson, on the part of the Committee of Finance,
made a report, reeommending three hundred dollars to be ap-
propriated for the publication of the Society’s Transactions,
which, on motion, was agreed to.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vora lv. JULY—DECEMBER, 1844. No. 31.
Stated Meeting, July 19.
Present fifteen members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford,
April 25, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 28 and 29
of the Proceedings of the Society :—
From the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
dated Philadelphia, June 23, 1844, acknowledging the dona-
tion by this Society of its Transactions, Vol. IX. Part 1. New
Series:—
From M. Gustave d’Eichthal, dated Paris, Dec. 20, 1843, on
presenting a memoir on the primitive history of the Oceanic
and American races:—
From Mr. F. Stoughton to Mr. Thos. Dunlap, dated New
York, June 25, 1844, in reference to a package from the So-
ciety, forwarded by Mr. Stoughton to the Royal Academy of
History at Madrid:—
From the National Institute at Washington, in reference to
certain resolutions of the Committee of the Institute, concern-
ing the publication of a third part of the Proceedings of the
Institute :—
From Dr. T. Romeyn Beck, dated Albany, July 1, 1844,
informing the Society, that by a late law, the State Library of
New York had been placed under the care of the Regents of
the University; and, also, in reference to certain deficiencies
VOL. IV.—N
94
in the sets of the “Proceedings”’ of this Society, and to the
Transactions of the Historical and Literary Committee: when,
on motion of Dr. Dunglison, it was resolved, that so much of
Dr. Beck’s letter as relates to the subjects above mentioned be
referred to the Librarian, with power to take order thereon.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Archives du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, publiées par les Profes-
seurs Administrateurs de cet Etablissement. Tome III. Liv-
raison 4e. Paris, 1848. 4to.—From the Professors of the Mu-
seum.
Annales des Mines. Quatri¢me Série. Tome IV. 5e Livraison
de 1843. 8vo.—From the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome II. Nos. 9 and 10.
Noy., Dec., 1848. 8vo. Tome III. Nos. 11 and 12. Jan.,
Feb., March, 1844.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. II. No. 3. May, June, 1844. 8vo.—From ihe Academy.
Mémoire sur l’Histoire Primitive des Races Océaniennes et Améri-
caines, lu 4 Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques les 9
et 16 Septembre, 1843. Par M. Gustave d’Eichthal. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Crania /Egyptiaca; or Observations on Egyptian Ethnography, de-
rived from Anatomy, History, and the Monuments. By Samuel
George Morton, M.D. From the Transactions of the American
Philosophical Society, Vol. IX. Philadelphia, 1844. 4to.—
From the Author.
Institut Royal de France. Calendrier pour l’année, 1843. 12mo.—
From D. B. Warden, Esq., of Paris.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XV. July, 1844. 8vo.—From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. July, 1844. No. 19.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. VIII. July, 1844. 8yo.—From Dr. R. M. Pat-
terson.
President’s Message and accompanying Documents, containing the
Negotiations and Treaty of Washington; also Reports, and Map
95
of Texan Boundary, and of the North-Eastern Boundary. De-
cember, 1842. 8vo.—From Major J. D. Graham.
Map of the Boundary Lines between the United States and the adja-
cent British Provinces, from the mouth of the River St. Croix to
the intersection of the Parallel of 45 degrees of North Latitude, with
the River St. Lawrence near St. Regis. Showing the Lines as
respectively claimed by the United States and Great Britain under
the Treaty of 1783, as awarded by the King of the Netherlands,
and as settled in 1842 by the Treaty at Washington. Compiled
under the direction of Major J. D. Graham, of the Topographical
Engineers, Commissioner. Seven copies in sheets, one copy
mounted.—From the same.
Profile with the Spirit Level of the due North Line from the Monu-
ment at the Source of the River St. Croix to the River St. John.
Surveyed in 1840 and 1841, uader the direction of Major J. D.
Graham, etc. etc. Five copies in sheets, 1 copy mounted.— From
the same.
A Map of the Extremity of Cape Cod, including the ‘Townships of
Provincetown and Truro: with a Chart of their Sea Coast and of
Cape Cod Harbour, State of Massachusetts. Executed under the
direction of Major J. D. Graham, U. 8. Topographical Engineers,
during portions of the years 1833, 1834, and 1835. Engraved
by order of the House of Representatives of the United States,
under the direction of the Bureau of Topographical Engineers, to
accompany Document 121, 26th Congress, 2d Session. Seven
copies, fine paper, 4 sheets each.— From the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus hebdomadaires des Séances de |’Académie des
Sciences; par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels. ‘Tome XVIII.
Nos. 5 to 18 inclusive, 1844. 4to.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Professor Schumacher, Editor. Nos.
503 and 504. May 9 and 23, 1844. Ato.
Dr. Bache announced the decease of Dr. John C. Otto, a
member of the Society, who died in Philadelphia on the 26th
June, 1844, aged 70 years.
In answer to a question put by Dr. Patterson, Mr. Lukens
stated, that the amalgamation of mercury with iron, which was
referred to by him at the last meeting, was observed by Pro-
fessor Ellett, of South Carolina.
96
Dr. Bridges remarked, that he had tried the experiment by
scraping iron under mercury, but had not succeeded in effect-
ing any amalgamation. He considered, that the amalgamation
in the case, which he had described at the last meeting, was
complete.
The Treasurer reported, that the whole expenses of the cen-
tennial celebration amounted to six hundred and eleven dollars
and two cents.
Stated Meeting, August 16th.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Cuarman, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Horticultural Society, dated London, May 7th,
1844:—
From the Linnzan Society, dated London, May 29th, 1844:
and
From the Zoological Society, dated London, May 16th,
1844; respectively acknowledging the receipt of Part I, Vol.
IX. of the Transactions of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. For
the Year 1841. 2 Parts. 4to. For the Year 1843. 2 Parts.
Ato.—F rom the Royal Society.
List of the Royal Society, 30th November, 1843. 4to.—F rom the
same.
Proceedings of the Royal Society. Nos. 56 to 58, inclusive, 1842,
1843. 8vo.—From the same.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the Years 1840 and 1841; under the
direction of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer Royal.
Published by order of the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to
Her Majesty’s command. London, 1848. 4to.—From the same.
97
Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, for the Year 1842-3.
Part VII. Dublin, 1844. 8vo.—From the Academy.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sor Silliman, and Benjamin Silliman, Jr. Vol. XLVII. No. 1.
July, 1844. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. July and August,
1844. Vol. XX. Nos. 7 and 8. 8vo.—From the American
Colonization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. VIII. August, 1844. No. 2. 8vo.—From Dr.
R. M. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. August, 1844. No. 20.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
A Theory of the Structure of the Sidereal Heavens, including an Ex-
planation of the Phenomena of Via Lactea and Nebulz; founded
on a new Astronomical Doctrine; being a General Explication of
the Astral Collocations upon Geometrical Principles. Part the
First. London, 1842. 4to. Anon.—From the Author.
An Elementary Treatise on Mineralogy : comprising an Introduction
to the Science. By William Phillips, F. L. S. ete. Fifth Edition,
from the Fourth London Edition. By Francis Alger. Boston,
1844. 8yo.—From the Editor, F. Alger.
The Practice of Medicine: a Treatise on Special Pathology and
Therapeutics. By Robley Dunglison, M. D., Professor of the
Institutes of Medicine in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ;
Secretary of the American Philosophical Society, etc. etc. Second
Edition. Philadelphia, 1844. 2 Vols. 8vo.—From the Author.
Human Health; or the Influence of Atmosphere and Locality;
Change of Air and Climate; Seasons; Food; Clothing, ete. etc.;
constituting Elements of Hygiene. By Robley Dunglison, M.D.,
etc. etc. A new Edition, with many Modifications and Additions.
Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
An Autograph Letter from the Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, B.D., F.R.S.,
Astronomer Royal, to the Rev. Dr. Ewing, formerly Provost of
the University of Pennsylvania, dated Greenwich, August 4th,
1775, on the subject of a Project for erecting an Observatory at
Philadelphia—From Harrison Hall, Esq.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. For the
Year 1808. Part 2. 4to. N.B. The first part of this Vol. is
wanting.
98
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences, par MM. les Secrétaires Perpetuels. ‘Tome XVII. Nos.
19 to 22 inclusive. Ato.
Tables des Comptes Rendus. Deuxiéme Semestre, 1843. Tome
XVII. Ato.
Dr. Patterson presented a communication, entitled “ Obser-
vations for the Magnetic Dip, made at several positions, chiefly
on the South-western and North-eastern portions of the United
States, and of the Magnetic Declination at two points on the
River Sabine, in 1840, by Major James D. Graham, of the U.
S. Corps of Topographical Engineers,” which was referred to
a Committee, consisting of Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson, and
Professor Frazer.
An autograph letter from Dr. N. Maskelyne, Astronomer
Royal, to the Rev. Dr. Ewing, dated Greenwich, Aug. 4, 1775,
in relation to a projected Observatory at Philadelphia, was pre-
sented to the Society by Mr. Harrison Hall, and read by the
Secretary.
Greenwich, Aug. 4, 1775.
Sir,—I received your late favour, together with your observations
of the comet of 1770, and some of that of 1769, for which I thank
you, and shall, I believe, communicate to the Royal Society as you
give me leave. In the present unhappy situation of American affairs,
I have not the least idea that any thing can be done toward serecting
an observatory at Philadelphia, and therefore cannot think it proper
for me to take any part in any memorial you may think proper to
lay before my Lord North at present. Ido not mean, however, to
discourage you from presenting any memorial from yourself. Were
an observatory to be erected at Philadelphia, I do not know any per-
son at Philadelphia more capable of taking the care of it than your-
self. Should Lord North do me the honour to ask my opinion about
the utility of erecting an observatory at Philadelphia, I should then
be enabled to speak out, being always a well-wisher to the promotion
of science. You did not distinguish whether the times of your obser-
vations were apparent or mean time.
I am, sir,
Your most humble servant,
N. MASKELYNE.
The Rev. Dr. Ewrne,
At No. 25 Ludgate Street.
99
Mr. Smith drew the attention of the Society to sundry im-
provements in the manufacture of glass for telescopes, and read
an extract from the 18th Vol. of the Comptes Rendus, being a
communication from M. Arago in relation to the cost of lenses
of immense magnitude, which a manufacturer in France pro-
poses to fabricate. The advantages attainable from lenses of
such magnitude, some of which have been ordered by the
French government, were depicted by Mr. Smith, whose ob-
servations gave occasion to remarks from Mr. Justice and Dr.
Patterson.
Dr. Dunglison, Reporter, laid before the Society No. 30 of
the Proceedings,of the Society, from April to June inclusive.
Stated Meeting, September 20.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Bacus, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Secretary of State, dated Washington, August 24,
1844, announcing that he had forwarded eighteen volumes of
the Documents of the Third Session of the Twenty-seventh
Congress, for the Library of the Society :—
From the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufac-
tures, and Commerce, dated London, July 17, 1844, acknow-
ledging the receipt of Nos. 28 and 29 of the Proceedings of
this Society:—
- From Mr. Edward Newman, dated London, July 20, 1844,
acknowledging the receipt of Vol. VIII., and the first part of
Vol. IX. of the Transactions of this Society; and announcing
that he had sent for the Library the third and last part of his
History of British Ferns:—
From Col. Totten, dated Engineer Department, Washing-
ton, August 21, 1844, on presenting to the Library a copy of
Papers on Practical Engineering, No. 2; being a special re-
port on the sea wall at Lovell’s Island, in the harbour of Bos-
ton, by Col. S. Thayer, Corps of Engineers:—
100
From Professor Locke, dated Cincinnati, August 13, 1844,
accompanying another series of Observations on Terrestrial
Magnetism, &c.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Public Documents, Third Session, 27th Congress, 1842-43. Senate
Documents, 4 Vols. 8vo. Senate Journal. 8vo. House Jour-
nal. 8vo. Executive Documents. 8 Vols. 8vo. Reports of
Committees. 4 Vols. 8vyo. Eighteen Volumes in all.—From the
Secretary of State.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1844. Part I. London, 1844. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.
Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the Year 1841, under the direction of George Biddell
Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published by order of
the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Majesty’s command.
London, 1843. 4to.—From the same.
The same Observations made in the Year 1842. London, 1844.
Ato.—From the same.
Catalogue of the Places of 1439 Stars, referred to the 1st of January,
1840; deduced from the Observations made at the Royal Obser-
vatory, Greenwich, from 1836, January Ist, to 1841, December
31. London, 1848. 4to.—From the same.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Vol. IV. No. 97.
8vo.—F'rom the Society.
Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. Insti-
tuted February 11,1814. Vol. V. 8vo.—From the Society.
Royal Geological Society of Cornwall. Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth
Annual Reports of the Council, with the President’s Address, and
Papers and Notices read to the Society. Penzance, 1842-43.
8vo.— From the same.
Report of the ‘Thirteenth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science; held at Cork, in August, 1843. Lon-
don, 1844. 8vo.—From the British Association.
Royal Astronomical Society of London. Proceedings, Vol. VI.
Nos. 6, 7, 8. 8vo.—From the Society.
Boletin Enciclopédico de la Sociedad Econémica de Amigos del Pais.
Avril, Mayo. Ano 5°. Tomo 3°. Valencia, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Society.
101
Boston Journal of Natural History. Containing Papers and Commu-
nications, read before the Boston Society of Natural History.
Vol. IV. No. 4. Boston, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No.9. Sep-
tember, 1844. 8vo.—F rom the American Colonization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Third Series. Vol. VIII. Sep-
tember, 1844. No. 3. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
Papers on Practical Engineering. Published by the Engineer De-
partment, for the use of the Officers of the United States Corps of
Engineers. No. 2. A Special Report on the Sea Wall, built in
the Year 1848, for the Preservation of Ram Head, at the N. W.
end of Lovell’s Island, in the Harbour of Boston, Massachusetts.
By Col. 8S. Thayer, U. 8. Corps of Engineers. Washington,
1844. 8vo.—From Col. Totten, Engineer Department.
The Electrical Magazine. Vol. I. No.5. July, 1844. Published
Quarterly. London. S8vo.—From Charles V. Walker, Esq.,
Editor.
The Zoologist: a Popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History, &c.
Nos. XVI to XX. inclusive. April to August, 1844. London.
8vo.— From Edward Newman, Esq., Editor.
The Phytologist: a Botanical Journal. Nos. 38 and 39. July, Au-
gust, 1844. London. 8vo.—From the same.
A History of British Ferns: by Edward Newman, F. L. S., B. S.
&c. 2d Edition. Part 3. London, 1844. 8vo.—From the
same.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1]. September, 1844. No.
21. 8vo.—From Lea & Bianchard.
Descriptions of Shells, from the Province of Tavoy, in British Bur-
mah.—By Augustus A. Gould, M.D.
Descriptions and Notices of some of the Land Shells of Cuba. By
the same. From the Boston Journal of Natural History. Vol.
IV. No. 4.—From the Author.
The Medical Student: or, Aids to the Study of Medicine. A revised
and modified edition. By Robley Dunglison, M.D., &c. Phi-
ladelphia, 1844. 12mo.—From the Author.
Street Talk, about an Ordinance of Councils, passed the 11th J uly,
1844, organising a Military Force, &c.—From Charles Inger-
soll, Esq.
VOL. IV.—o
102
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Professor Schumacher, Editor. Nos.
505 to 510, inclusive, June 15 to July 25, 1844. Title and In-
dex to Vol. XXI. Ato.
Dr. Dunglison announced, that he would be prepared to de-
liver, pursuant to appointment, the discourse in commemora-
tion of the late President of the Society, in the course of next
month. Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Kane, a committee con-
sisting of Mr. Kane, Mr. Ord, and Dr. Patterson, was appointed
to make the necessary arrangements.
Mr. Charles J. Ingersoll announced the death of Joseph Bo-
naparte, Count Survilliers, a member of the Society, who died
at Florence, on the 28th day of July, 1844, in his 77th year.
A high eulogium on his character was delivered by Mr. In-
gersoll, as well as by Dr. Chapman, and on motion of the latter,
Mr. Ingersoll was appointed to prepare an obituary notice of
the deceased.
Professor Locke presented a farther series of observations on
Terrestrial Magnetism, which was referred to the same Com-
mittee as the former. The Committee are Professor Frazer,
Mr. M‘Ewen, and Professor Bache.
Mr. Kane, on the part of a Committee to negotiate with
individuals who have claims against the Society, reported
progress.
Mr. Smith drew the attention of the Society to certain phe-
nomena, presented by a house provided with a lightning rod,
and recently struck by lightning. The electrical fluid did not
strike the rod, but communicated with it before reaching the
ground. Mr. Smith considered that the rod was not suffi-
ciently elevated above the house.
103
Stated Meeting, October 4.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, dated Bos-
ton, September, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of No. 30
of the Proceedings of this Society :—and
From the Horticultural Society, dated London, August 6,
1844, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 28 and 29, of the Pro-
ceedings.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Annales des Mines. Redigés par les Ingénieurs des Mines. Qua-
triéme Série. Tome 1V®. VI. Livraison de 1848. Novembre,
Décembre. 8vo.—From the Engineers of Mines of Paris.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil des Mémoires, ete. Publiée par la So-
ciété Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome III. Nos. 13, 14.
Avril, Mai, 1844. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Almanach der kéniglichen bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaf-
ten fiir das Jahr 1844. Miinchen. 12mo.—From the Royal
Bavarian Academy of Sciences.
Twenty-third Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session 1842-3. Leeds,
1843. 8vo.—From the Society.
Description of Six supposed New Species of Parasites. By Henry
Denny. Article XXXVIII. of the 12th Volume of the Annals
and Magazine of Natural History.—From the Author.
Tijdschrift voor natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Ulitgege-
ven door J. Van der Hoeven, M.D., en W. H. de Vriese, M.D.
Tiende Deel, 4° Stuk, 1848. Elfde Deel, 1° Stuk, 1844. Elfde
Deel, 2° Stuk, 1844. 8vo.—From the Editors.
An Address on the Recent Progress of Geological Research in the
United States. Delivered at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the As-
sociation of American Geologists and Naturalists, held at Wash-
ington, D. C., May, 1844. By Henry D. Rogers, Professor of
Geology in the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1844.
8vo.—From the Author.
104
An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Penn-
sylvania from its Origin; so far as regards the several Points of
Controversy, which have, from time to time, arisen between the
several Governors of Pennsylvania and their several Assemblies.
Philadelphia, 1808. 8vo.—From Dr. Philip Tidyman.
Document No. 223. 28th Congress, 1st Session. House of Repre-
sentatives, Treasury Department.—From E. Joy Morris, Esq.
M. C.
An Address delivered before the Society of the Alumni of Harvard
University, on their Anniversary, Aug. 27, 1844. By Daniel
Appleton White. 8Svo.—From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus hebdomadaires des Séances de |’Académie des Sci-
ences. Par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels. Tome XVIII. Nos.
23 to 26, inclusive. Tome XIX. Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive. 4to.
Dr. Chapman announced the death of Mr. Meredith, a mem-
ber of this Society, on the 26th of September, in his 73d year.
He likewise announced the death of Dr. William Jacobs, of
Santa Cruz, in the West Indies, also a member of the Society;
and, on motion, Dr. Horner was appointed to deliver an obitu-
ary notice of Dr. Jacobs.
Mr. Ord, on the part of the Committee appointed at the last
meeting, stated that they had taken the Musical Fund Hall for
Friday evening, the 25th inst. for the occasion of the delivery
of the commemorative discourse, to be delivered by Dr. Dun-
glison, on the late President of the Society.
Stated Meeting, October 18.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Bacus, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read: —
From the New York Historical Society, dated New York,
Oct. 1844, acknowledging the receipt of certain numbers of
the Proceedings of the Society :—
105
From the Geographical Society of London, dated London,
May 22, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions
of this Society, Vol. IX. Part 1; and a second letter, dated
London, Aug. 6, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 28
and 29 of the Proceedings:—
From Count Cancrine, dated St. Petersburg, Oct. 1843, on
transmitting a copy of a periodical issued by the Imperial Ad-
ministration of Mines, which contains the magnetic and meteo-
rological observations made under its direction:—and
From Dr. Asa Gray, dated Harvard University, Sept. 28,
1844, in relation to Transactions and Proceedings of this Soci-
ety, transmitted and to be transmitted to the Royal Academy
of Sciences of Munich.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XIV. Part I. 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. With Plates, in
illustration of the papers abstracted. Session 1843-44. Vol.
IV. Part 2. No. 98. 8vo.—From the Society.
Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des
Mines de Russie, ou Recueil d’Observations Magnétiques et Météo-
rologiques, faites dans l’entendue de l’Empire de Russie, et pub-
li¢es par ordre de S. M. l’Empereur Nicholas I., et sous les au-
spices de M. le Comte Cancrine, Chef du Corps des Ingénieurs
des Mines, et Ministre des Finances. Par A. T. Kupffer. An-
née 1841. In 2 Parts. St. Petersburg, 1843. 4to.—From the
Imperial Administration of Mines, through H. E. Count Can-
crine.
The History of the late Province of New York, from its discovery
to the appointment of Governor Colden, in 1762. By the Hon.
William Smith. New York, 1839. 2 Vols. 8vo. These Vol-
umes are the Fourth and Fifth of the First Series of the Collec-
tions of the New York Historical Society.—From the New York
Mistorical Society.
Proceedings of the New York Historical Society, for the Year 1848.
New York, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
Constitution and By-laws of the New York Historical Society. Re-
vised, March, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
106
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XVI. NewSeries. October, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. October, 1844. No.
22. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
Notes on Northern Africa, the Sahara and Soudan, in relation to the
Ethnography, Languages, History, Political and Social Condition,
of the Natives of those Countries. By William B. Hodgson, late
Consul of the United States at the Regency of Tunis. New
York, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomishe Nachrichten. Nos. 511, 512, 518. 4to.
Mr. Justice drew attention to some specimens of fish and of
stalactites, obtained from the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.
The Society proceeded to the consideration of the stated
business of the evening—the balloting of candidates for mem-
bership in the Society; but it appearing that there were only
fifteen qualified members present, the election could not be
proceeded with.
Stated Meeting, Nov. 1.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Patrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge, dated
August 24, acknowledging the receipt of No. 30, of the Pro-
ceedings of this Society :—
From Mr. Wagner to Mr. Ord, dated York, England, Sep-
tember 30, 1844, giving some account of the early part of the
meeting of the British Association in September last:—
From the Cincinnati Society, dated Philadelphia, October
23, 1844:—
107
From the Law Academy, dated Philadelphia, October 25,
1844:—and,
From the Academy of Natural Sciences, dated October 23,
1844, severally accepting the invitation of the Committee of
the Society to attend the discourse by Dr. Dunglison, in com-
memoration of the late President.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Annales des Mines, redigées par les Ingénienrs des Mines. Qua-
triéme Série. Tome V. Ire Livraison, de 1844. 8vo.—From
the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome III. No. 15. Juin,
1844. 8yvo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Boletin Enciclopédico de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais.
Agosto, 1844. Tomo 30. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Il. No. 4. July and August, 1844. 8vo.—From the
Academy.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 10.
October, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sor Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr. Vol. XLVII. No. 2. Octo-
ber, 1844. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Calcutta Journal of Natural History: and Miscellany of the Arts and
Sciences in India. Vol. IV. Calcutta, 1844. 8vo.—From Dr.
Dunglison.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. Il. November, 1844. No.
23. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
Descriptions of Malayan Plants. By William Jack. Arranged ac-
cording to their Natural Families from the Malayan Miscellany.
From the Calcutta Journal of Natural History, Vol IV. No. 13.
1843. 8vo.—From the Editors of the Calcutta Journal.
Der Tausend und Einen Nacht. Ubersezt von Joseph von Hammer;
und aus dem Franzésischen in’s Deutsche von Aug. E. Zinser-
ling. Vols. II. and III. Stuttgart, 1824. &vo.—From Dr.
Dunglison.
Anatomical Atlas, illustrative of the Structure of the Human Body.
By Henry H. Smith, M.D. Under the supervision of William
108
K. Horner, M.D. Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—From'‘the Au-
thor.
Report of the Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of the Navy
to examine the several Plans of Floating Docks, submitted to the
Department, September 10, 1842. 8vo.—From Walter R.
Johnson, Esq.
Arguments of the Defendant’s Counsel, and Judgment of the Supreme
Court, U.S., in the Case of Vidal and another, versus the Mayor,
&c., of Philadelphia, the Executors of Stephen Girard and others,
Defendants and Appellees. January Term, 1844. Philadelphia,
1844. 8vo.—From Thomas P. Cope, Esq.
A Collection of Russian Poems; and a Russian Alnianac, for 1832.
12mo.—From the Executors of P. S. Du Ponceau.
List of books bequeathed to the Society by its late Presi-
dent, Mr. Du Ponceau, and omitted in the catalogue of May
3d last.
Britain and America: a Collection of Pamphlets on the Public Affairs
of the Two Nations. 3 Vols. 8vo.
Essai sur les Langues en Général; sur la Langue Francaise en par-
ticulier, et sa progression depuis Charlemagne jusqu’d present.
Par M. Sablier. Paris, 1777. 8vo.
Essai Synthétique sur ’Origine et la Formation des Langues. Paris,
1774. 8vo. Anonymous. (L’Abbé Copineau.) Bound up with
the above.
Den Gronlandste Ordbog, forbedret og foroget, udgivet ved Otho Fa-
bricius. Copenhagen, 1804. 12mo.
Preces S. Niersis Clajensis Armeniorum Patriarchee viginti quatuor
Linguis Edite. Venetiis, 1828. 12mo.
Key to the French Language: being a Complete Course of Study on
a new Plan, with all the recent Improvements. By J. A. Weisse.
Boston, 1842. 12mo.
A volume of French Pamphlets.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Tome XIX. Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive. 30th July to
26th August, 1844. to.
109
Professor Frazer, from the Committee, consisting of himself,
Professor A. D. Bache, and Mr. M‘Euen, to whom was re-
ferred the second paper of Professor Locke on Magnetical Ob-
servations, reported in favour of its publication, which was or-
dered accordingly.
Professor Locke’s paper contains a continuation of his observations
upon the magnetic dip and intensity, made at different points in the
United States during the year 1844, and includes thirty-five sets of
observations made at twenty-four different stations. He then gives a
series of thirteen observations made at three stations, viz: Fort Lee,
N. Y., Snake Hill, and Patterson, N, J., intended to show the re-
markable changes which take place both in the dip and intensity, in
passing from rocks of the usual kind, to those belonging to the trap-
pean family; which changes, so far as they regard the magnetic in-
tensity, he announces in the following terms :—‘ The intensity, which
ordinarily has a value along a line of moderate length not varying
beyond certain moderate limits, becomes, at the base of a trappean
pimnacle, extraordinarily diminished, and at the top of the same still
more extraordinarily increased.” ‘These changes, as well as those
of the dip which follow the same law, are illustrated by diagrams, in
which the values of the dip and intensity are represented as the ordi-
nates of a curve, the distances between the stations being taken upon
the line of abscissas. Professor Locke believes these changes to be
due to the assumption of magnetic properties by the trappean rocks,
the axis of the magnet coinciding with the axis of figure of the hill,
which is generally vertical.
Professor Locke strongly urges the propriety of multiplying obser-
vations upon these phenomena, in order to develop the general law ;
and concludes by returning his thanks to Col. Sabine and the British
Association for the kindness and liberality with which they have ten-
dered their assistance in his labours.
Professor Frazer, on the part of Mr. Haldeman, presented a
communication, entitled “ Observations on General Phonology
and Alphabetic Notation, with an Attempt to adapt the Roman
Alphabet to Exotic Languages, by S. S. Haldeman, A.M.,’’
which, on motion, was referred to a Committee, consisting of
Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Pickering, and Dr. Bethune.
Mr. Kane, on the part of the Committee of Arrangements,
consisting of himself, Mr. Ord, and Dr. Patterson, made the
VOL. IV.—P
110
following report in regard to the discourse in commemoration
of the late President, delivered by Dr. Dunglison:—
That pursuant to the notice heretofore communicated to the So-
ciety, the discourse in commemoration of our late President, Mr. Du
Ponceau, was pronounced by Dr. Dunglison on the 25th of October,
1844, at the Musical Fund Hall. The Society was honoured on the
occasion by the presence of the relatives of the deceased, and of nu-
merous ladies, many of the reverend clergy, the members of the di-
plomatic corps, the State Society of the Cincinnati, and the officers
of the army and navy in the city at the time; the officers of the seve-
ral municipal corporations, the judges of the courts of the United
States and State, the trustees and professors of the University and
Colleges, the members of the different learned and literary societies,
and a large number of citizens. ‘The Committee herewith present
the manuscript of the Discourse, and submit for the consideration of
the Society the following resolutions :—
1. Resolved, That the Discourse pronounced by Dr. Dunglison in
commemoration of the late President, Mr. Du Ponceau, be published
under the directions of the Committee of Arrangements.
2. Resolved, That the Treasurer be, and he is hereby authorized
to pay the several expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the
Committee, under the orders of the Society, provided the same shall
not exceed the sum of two hundred dollars.
Both the above resolutions were agreed to by the Society.
Mr. Kane announced the death of Mr. Nathan Dunn, a
member of the Society, who died at Vevay, in Switzerland,
on the fifteenth of September; and, on motion, Dr. Emerson
was appointed to deliver an obituary notice of the deceased.
Stated Meeting, November 15.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was read from the executive committee of the New
York Historical Society, dated New York, October 28, 1844,
11]
inviting the American Philosophical Society to their fortieth
anniversary celebration, on Wednesday, the 20th of Novem-
ber. On motion, a special letter of acknowledgment was di-
rected to be addressed to the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Report intended to illustrate a Map of the Hydrographical Basin of
the Upper Mississippi River, made by J. N. Nicollet, while in
employ under the Bureau of the Corps of Topographical Engi-
neers. Washington, 1843. Two copies. 8vo. Senate, 26th
Congress, 2d Session, No. 237.—From Colonel J. J. Abert,
U. S. Topographical Engineers.
Quarterly Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians
of Philadelphia. Vol. 1. Nos. VII. and VIII. From May,
1843, to October, 1844, inclusive. 8vo.—From the College of
Physicians.
Encyclopedia Britannica: or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and
Miscellaneous Literature; enlarged and improved. The Sixth
Edition. Illustrated with nearly six hundred Engravings. Edin-
burgh, 1823. 23 Volumes. 4to.
Supplement to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Editions of the Encyclo-
peedia Britannica, with Preliminary Dissertations on the History
of the Sciences. [Illustrated by Engravings. Edinburgh, 1844.
6 Volumes. 4to.—From Clement C. Biddle, Esq.
An Oration deliverved at Cambridge, before the Phi Beta Kappa
Society in Harvard University, August 29th, 1844. By George
Putnam. Boston, 1844. 8vo.—From Henry D. Rogers.
Descriptio Anatomico-Pathologica Uteri duplicis, quorum uterque
vario tempore gravidus erat. With a Plate. By Professor Bu-
jalsky. St. Petersburg, 1832. A folio pamphlet in the Russian
Language.—From the Author.
An Account of the Transposition of the Human Viscera. By Profes-
sor Bujalsky. In Russian. St. Petersburg, 1829. <A folio
pamphlet.—From the Author.
On motion of the Librarian, the thanks of the Society were
given to Col. Biddle, for the valuable present of a copy of the
Encyclopedia Britannica; Sixth Edition, with Supplements.
The Committee, consisting of Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson,
112
and Professor Frazer, on Major Graham’s communication pre-
sented on the 16th of August, and entitled “Observations on
the Magnetic Dip, made at several positions, chiefly on the
South-western and North-eastern frontiers of the United States,
and of the Magnetic Declination at two points on the River
Sabine, in 1840,” reported in favour of the publication of the
same, in an abridged form, in the Transactions of the Society,
but as the report was not accompanied by such abridgment, as
required by the laws of the Society, the paper was recom-
mitted.
A communication was read from Professor Loomis, entitled
“ Astronomical Observations made at Hudson Observatory.
Lat. 41° 14' 42'6 North, and Longitude 5h. 25m. 398.5 West,
Third Series,” which was referred to a Committee, consisting
of Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson, and Professor Kendall.
A letter from Professor Alexander, of Princeton, to Mr.
Walker, dated College of New Jersey, Nov. 13th, 1844, was
read, which contained a notice of some Astronomical Observa-
tions communicated to him by M. Bessel, of Konigsberg, in
regard to the proper motions of Procyon in Declination, and
of Sirius in Right Ascension.
“« One of the latest results (says M. Bessel), which have offered them-
selves to me, appears to be a very important one for Practical Astro-
nomy- Ihave been enabled by my own observations made during
the last thirty years, and also by those made at other Observatories
since 1750, to establish as an indubitable fact, that the proper motions
of Procyon in Declination, and of Sirius in Right Ascension, are not
proportional to time. ‘The difference being very sensible, it will no
longer be permitted to suppose the places of these stars known for
any time by their observations made at two epochs.
“¢The fact of a variable proper motion seems to indicate, that stars,
which are subject to it, are parts of comparatively small systems,
such as are double stars. ‘The phenomenon cannot be explained by
attraction, if the distance of the attracting mass is not very small in
proportion to the distance of the star from the Sun.
A Memoir upon “this interesting matter is now printing in the
Astronomische Nachrichten.”
M. Bessel pays a tribute to the zeal with which Astronomy
113
is now cultivated in America, and to the valuable matter re-
cently contributed by American astronomers.
Dr. Patterson remarked, that this discovery of Bessel fur-
ther increased the difficulties of Practical Astronomy. First,
the stars were considered as fixed; afterwards, their proper
motions were ascertained, but were supposed to be uniform,
Now these proper motions are found to be variable.
Mr. Walker observed, that there was difficulty in supposing
the existence of an opake centre of attraction, and that possibly
the stars Sirius and Procyon were stellar systems not divisible
by our telescopes.
Mr. Walker gave a brief account of the progress of Profes-
sor Kendall’s observations at the High School Observatory,
since the mounting of the Ertel Meridian Circle.
The circle had been tested by reading with each of the four ver-
niers, for every 5°, and the circle was found not to have been injured
in transition, nor in mounting. ‘The average reduction of the read-
ing of any one vernier to that of the mean of the four being about 3”.
Although 50 feet high, the insulated tower was so still that the stars
could be observed with great facility and certainty, by reflection from
quicksilver, with a power of 200. The first trials of the instrument
had given for the latitude of the Observatory 39° 57’ 7’’; and the
polar point determined by any two successive culminations of polaris
differed not more than 1”’ from the point obtained by the fundamental
stars, using for their declinations the most recent values given by
Bessel and Airy.
Mr. Walker also remarked, that the latitude found for the High
School Observatory, by Mr. Paine, with the sextant of the Massachu-
setts Survey, as well as that which Messrs. Kendall, Riggs and him-
self had found from sextant observations,—after applying to the de-
clinations of the stars formerly used, the more recent corrections of
Airy,—differed less than a second from the indications of the Ertel
Meridian Circle.
Mr. Walker regarded this coincidence as confirmatory of his former
remarks on Mr. Paine’s method of determining latitudes by a sextant,
in the Proceedings, Vol. II., page 166; a conclusion of great impor-
tance, when we consider that all the latitudes of the Massachusetts
survey depended upon this method.
He further stated, that Professor Kendall and his assistants had
114
made extensive observations of the two recent comets with the Equa-
torial, and had computed their elements and ephemeris, and pub-
lished them in the daily papers, for immediate circulation among
astronomers.
Mr. Walker concluded by remarking, that a review of the stars in the
zone, from the 15th to the 30th parallel of south declination, had been
commenced and carried on thus far by Mr. Joseph S. Hubbard, now
Assistant of the Topographical Corps. The catalogue now contains
about 250 double stars, of which only about 100 can be found in the
Herschell’s or South’s Catalogues.
Dr. Hare mentioned, that a roseate tint may be imparted to
the light from carburetted hydrogen, by the interposition of
mica.
A thin sheet of this substance, curved into the cylindrical form so
as to enter a glass chimney, will retain the form thus imparted, in
consequence of its elasticity and the confinement of the including
glass. ‘Thus employed, mica had been found competent to correct the
lurid influence of gas illumination, so much objected to by all who
are desirous to appear “couleur de rose.”
Very neat chimneys had been constructed, and maintained in the
cylindrical form, by frames of tin plate, secured by rivets. Ofcourse,
the more delicate the frames, consistently with due firmness, the bet-
ter. However costly at first, mica chimneys, he believed, would be
cheaper in the long run, than those in common use.
When employed within a glass chimney, as he had described, the
mica afforded the glass much protection against the flaming gas.
The mica, by which these results were obtained, when in thick
plates, had a brownish red tinge, whether seen by reflected or by
transmitted light.
Dr. Hare likewise entered into some arguments and consi-
derations respecting a recent speculation of Mr. Faraday, on
electric conduction, and the nature of matter, contained in the
London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine and Journal,
for February, 1844. This speculation will be fully stated and
discussed by Dr. Hare, in a forthcoming number of Silliman’s
American Journal of Science.
Mr. Kane, on the part of the appropriate Committee, an-
nounced that the Commemorative Discourse on the late Presi-
dent of the Society, would be ready for delivery in a few days.
115
On motion of the Librarian, he was authorized to distribute
the remaining copies of the Eulogium delivered on Rittenhouse
by Dr. Rush.
Stuted Meeting, Dec. 6.
Present, thirty-three members.
Dr. Cuapman, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From Professor Bujalsky, of St. Petersburg, accompanying
the donation of a work on astronomy :—and
From Professor A. D. Bache, superintendent of the survey
of the coast of the United States, dated Washington, Nov. 1,
1844, accompanying the sheets of a Map of New York Bay and
Harbour, presented by him to the Society.
The following donations were announced: —
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. Vol. VIII. Part 1. Whole number, XV. 8vo.—From
the Society.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢éme Série. Tome IV. Nos. 16, 17.
Juillet, Aotit, 1844. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Map of New York Bay and Harbour, and the Environs. Founded
upon a Trigonometrical Survey, under the direction of F. R.
Hassler, Superintendent of the Survey of the Coast of the United
States. Triangulation by James Ferguson and Edmund Blunt,
Assistants. ‘The Hydrography under the direction of Thomas
R. Gedney, Lieut. U.S. Navy. The Topography by C. Renard
and J. A. Jenkins, Assistants. Published in 1844, and presented
under authority of an Act of Congress of the United States of
June 3d, 1844, and by direction of the Treasury Department.
A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the Coast Survey. In four
Sheets.—From the Treasury Department, through Prof. A. D.
Bache.
Proceedings of the Academy ef Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
116
Vol. II. September, October, 1844. No. 5. 8vo.—From the
Academy. ;
Quarterly Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians
of Philadelphia. November, December, 1842, and January,
1843. No.5. 8vo.—From the College.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. ‘Third
Series. Vol. VIII. October, November, 1844. Nos. 4 and 5.
8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 11.
November, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. December, 1844. No.
24. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
The Zoologist: a popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History.
Nos. XXI. and XXII. September, October, 1844. 8vo.—From
Edward Newman, Esq., Editor.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Charles V. Walker, Esq.
Vol. I. No. 6. October, 1844. S8vo.— From the Editor.
L’Anatomie Génerale et Abrégée du Corps Humain. Nouvelle Edi-
tion. Par M. Bujalsky. In the Russian Language. St. Peters-
burg, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Descriptio Anatomico-pathologica gemellarum sibi invicem coalli-
tarum, in quibus duo corda pariter inter se concreta, constitue-
bant atrium et ventriculum unicum, cum debito tamen duobus
cordibus vasorum majorum numero. By M. Bujalsky. St. Pe-
tersburg, 1832. Pamphlet.—F rom the Author.
Two other Pamphlets on subjects of Anatomy and Surgery. In Rus-
sian.—From the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de PAcadémie des Sci-
ences. Tome XIX. Nos. 10, 11, 12, 18. September, 1844.
Ato.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 514. September 5, 1844. to.
The Committee, consisting of Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson,
and Professor Kendall, on Professor Loomis’ paper, read No-
vember 15, 1844, and entitled, “ Astronomical Observations
made at Hudson Observatory, lat. 41° 14’ 42.6” north, and
long. 5 25m 39.5s west, third series,’’ reported in favour of
publication, which was ordered accordingly.
117
Prof. Loomis gives the latitude of the Hudson Observatory from
63 culminations of Polaris, with the meridian circle,
A1° 14’ 42"6
The paper extends the series of moon culminations to the number
of 259, and contains two occultations.
The longitude of Hudson Observatory, from Greenwich, by 150
corresponding moon culminations, is as follows:—
From 72 Greenwich observations, 5h 25m 40.68
33 Cambridge, E. ,, 39.2
18 Oxford a 37.8
27 Edinburgh fe 39.4
Allowing double weight to the Greenwich observations, the mean
result is,
5h 25m 39.58
The observations of Encke’s comet in 1842, of the great comet of
1843, of the first Mauvais comet, and of the Faye comet, are given
in full, with the apparent place of the stars used for comparison.
The Faye comet was followed by Prof. Loomis, till the 11th of Feb-
ruary, 1844.
This paper concludes the series of Prof. Loomis’ labours at Hud-
son, he having accepted the appointment of Professor in the New
York University. The Hudson Observatory is now in the hands of
Prof. James Nooney.
Mr. Lea read a paper, entitled “Supplementary Note on the
Construction of different Forms of the Magic Cyclovolute, by
E. Nulty,’”? which was referred to a Committee, consisting of
Dr. Patterson, Mr. EK. Morris, and Professor Kendall.
Dr. Patterson called the attention of the Society to a paper
read before the Philosophical Society on the 14th of January,
1768, by Provost Ewing, prior to the union of the two societies
from which this Society was formed. This paper, which has
never been published, contains a general theory of magic
Squares, with its application. It was referred for examination
to the same Committee.
Dr. Dunglison, at the request of Dr. Meigs, who was absent,
read a paper, entitled “Case of Spina Bifida, by Henry Bond,
M.D.,”’ which was referred to a Committee consisting of Dr.
Meigs, Dr. Dunglison, and Dr. Hays. Dr. Dunglison prefaced
the reading of the paper by some remarks on the nature and
VOL. IV.—@
118
mode of production of these and similar arrests of develop-
mente
Professor Frazer read a letter from Mr. J. B. Maxwell, one
of the trustees of Princeton College, to Professor Henry, dated
Belvidere, Oct. 17, 1844, relating to the discovery of Mastodon
bones on the farm of Mr. Abraham Ayers, near Hackettstown,
New Jersey.
There are portions of the skeletons of five Mastodons—one pretty
large—three of smaller size, and a calf: of the largest, only the
grinders—portions of the tusks (133 inches in circumference,) and
some fragments of the larger bones remain—the rest having fallen to
pieces on being exposed to the air. The bones of the calf fell to
pieces in like manner, and no parts have been preserved except the
grinders and the tusks, which were five or six inches long, about
three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and seem to have projected
more than an inch from the bone. Of the other three, the skulls and
most of the larger bones are in good preservation. We measured
some parts of the largest of them, as follows :—
Skull—from top of head at junction of the muscles of the neck to
end of bone between the tusks—3 feet 4 inches.
», Between the large cavities for the ears across the forehead—
2 feet.
» Orbit of the eye—vertical diameter, 6 inches.
», Reniform orifice below the eyes, (communication between
trunk and brain, &c.) 10 inches across by 4 inches ver-
tically.
» Oval orifice below this, (communication between trunk and
throat,) 53 inches vertically by 3 across.
» Lusk, from insertion, 2 feet 3 inches—whole length 3 feet 1
inch, and about 3 inches in diameter.
Pelvis, 4 feet 10 inches across, by 3 feet 8 inches.
Femoral bone, 3 feet long, 1 foot 1} inch in circumference in the
middle.
Scapula, 2 feet 5 inches long, 2 feet 1 inch wide—measuring over the
projection.
There were three grinders on each side above, and the same num-
ber below. The two others and the calf had four teeth on each side,
both above and below, but the forward ones were evidently “milk
teeth,” which would have been shed at a more advanced age. In
119
none of these four did the back grinders appear to have cut through
the gum. The largest of the five had had three grinders on each
side in each jaw. All the grinders were of the same character,
having the projecting conical points which distinguish the Mastodon.
In one of the skulls, the tusks projected outwards and inclined up-
wards, while in the other two they were inclined downwards and
nearly parallel. This difference, and that in the number of the teeth
had induced Mr. Ayers to believe that the remains belonged to more
than one species. But Mr. Maxwell considered it to be evident that
the only differences are those of age and sex. The bones which he
measured, he supposed to be those of a female. The other two were
younger animals, as was evident both from the teeth and the sutures
of the skull, and as the skull with projecting tusks seemed to have a
broader and rounder outline than the others, it probably belonged to
a young male.
Mr. Ayers walked with Mr. Maxwell to the spot where they were
dug out, and described the position in which they were discovered.
North-west of the Musconetcong Valley, in which Hackettstown is
situate, lies a range of highlands about two miles wide, rising per-
haps 350 feet above the valley, and separating it from the valley of
the Pequest. This ridge, which is of gneiss, and has, like all our
mountains, a general course of about north-east, is cut into sections
by transverse depressions, or hollows running generally about south
of east. Through one of these depressions, which is probably 150
feet below the general level of the. range, passes the road from
Hackettstown to Vienna. By looking at Gordon’s Map of New
Jersey, a small stream is found to cross the road nearly half way to
Vienna. Mr. Ayers’ house is about 100 yards beyond the stream,
and the bones were found more than a quarter of a mile beyond his
house in a northerly direction, and perhaps 300 yards from the road.
The Map does not represent the face of the country correctly. The
road runs along the northern side of the valley or depression, most
of which is occupied by a swampy meadow, through which the
stream flows. From the road the ground rises regularly, but pretty
rapidly, probably 120 feet in 200 yards, and then descends more
gradually 25 or 30 feet into a smaller depression, which, however,
does not cut through the ridge like the larger one, but descends very
gradually from the general level on the east, and at its western end
opens on the brow of the ridge by a kind of ravine. Near this western
end is a depression or basin deeper than the outlet, and forming in wet
weather a pond-hole. Mr. Ayers says, that formerly the water in if
120
was at times four or five feet deep, but some years ago he drained it
in part by a ditch four feet deep, so that now it is merely a wet
swampy place, about forty yards in length by twenty-five wide.
During the drought last summer it became quite dry, and he took
the opportunity to dig out a portion of the earth for manure. In
doing this he discovered the bones. The basin slopes gradually
from the east to a depth of about twelve feet near the western side.
On the top is about one foot of vegetable deposite formed of decayed
leaves, é&c., then about six inches of whitish sand mixed with vege-
table matter, and below this a deposite, which Mr. Ayers says, when
first opened, was of a yellowish colour, very much resembling in ap-
pearance the manure of a cow yard when thrown up in heaps in the
winter, and had a very strong smell of the same kind. Exposure to
the weather has changed its colour to the dull, bluish black of
swamp earth, which it seems to be mixed with, great quantities of
vegetable remains, principally of marsh plants, with scattered frag-
ments of branches of trees, &c. In this deposite the remains were
found covered from four to six feet deep, except the largest, which
lay near the south-east side of the basin, and were but slightly
covered. A few feet to the north of this lay the next in size on its
back, and a little to the north and west of this the other two, both as
if in a standing position, and the calf was found in a similar position
near the north side of the basin. From Mr. Ayers’ description, the
bones of the largest one must have been disturbed after its death, as
the tusks were found reversed alongside of the neck. Between the
ribs of two or three of them, was a considerable quantity of what Mr.
Ayers describes as resembling coarse chopped straw, mixed with
fragments of sticks,—no doubt the contents of the stomach.
Not more than one-fourth of the basin has been examined. The
openings in it have been made at random, and in each an animal has
been found, so that there is probably a number more. “The ques-
tion,” says Mr. Maxwell, “very naturally occurs, how and when did
so many of these huge animals become imbedded in this narrow space?
Questions more easily asked than answered. My first conjecture
before seeing the place, was that they had been mired in attempting
to reach a spring or lick; but the small extent and shallowness of the
basin, and the gradual descent and character of its bottom, (which as
far as has been examined, is perfectly solid and like much of the
ground around, closely paved with rolled stones of gneiss and lime-
stone, generally 6 or 8 inches in diameter,) all forbid such a supposi-
tion. It is possible that they may have been swept there by a deluge,
121
which, from the configuration of the surrounding country, would, as it
subsided, sweep through the larger depression, with a current to the
east, and form an eddy through this one to the west. ‘The whole
depression has, in form, a close resemblance to such as we see formed
on a smaller scale in the sand along the Delaware. But on the other
hand, the number found together, most of them in a standing position,
would seem rather to indicate that they had been overwhelmed in one
of their native haunts, by some sudden catastrophe ; and some circum-
stances seem to favour the supposition that this could not have been
at avery remote period. ‘This little basin receives the drainage of
some fifteen acres of land, and seems to have had a considerable
growth of grass and marsh plants around it. Under such circum-
stances, it would seem that the accumulation of vegetable matter indi-
cates no very great antiquity. The holes were so filled with water
that I could not ascertain whether the deposite below the sand showed
any thing like stratification, but as far as I could judge from what was
thrown out, its character was pretty uniform throughout, exhibiting
the appearance of a marsh, much frequented by animals, which had
trampled fragments of its plants all through it. I regretted very much
that my knowledge was not sufficient to determine the species of the
plants of which so many portions remain, but I thought I recognised
some which are now growing in the neighbouring marshes, such as
flags, cattails, &c. I hope, however, that you or some of your scien-
tific friends, will visit the place, and obtain more accurate informa-
tion than I am competent to give.”
Mr. 8. Roberts drew the attention of the Society to a steam-
boat now lying in the Delaware, intended to navigate canals,
and gave a description of it and its machinery.
The steam canal boat ‘John Gilpin” belongs to New York, and
has made three trips, within a short time, to St. John’s, in Canada,
having passed through the Champlain canal. Her length is eighty
feet, and her extreme breadth thirteen feet four inches. When draw-
ing three feet water, she carries forty-five tons; and with four and a
half feet water, sixty-five tons.
Her steam engine is in the bow, and is of twenty horse power,
having a locomotive or tubular boiler, and burning anthracite coal.
The diameter of the cylinder is sixteen inches, and the length of the
stroke twenty-eight inches.
The boat is propelled by two paddle wheels of wrought iron, one
122
on each side of the bow, and enclosed within the line of the sides of
the boat. Each wheel is seven and a half feet in diameter, and two
feet wide, and the paddles are of sheet iron, and inclined at an angle
of about forty degrees, so as to throw the water out from the sides of
the boat; the wheels revolving in planes parallel to the keel. This
arrangement is peculiar, and is stated to work exceedingly well in
navigating canals. It is contrived by Mr. Asa Worthington, of New
York. The boat can propel herself ten miles an hour in open water ;
and she towed three barges from New York, bringing them through
the Delaware and Raritan Canal at the rate of nearly four miles an
hour. The boat is new, and her whole cost has been $5500, the
hull being of wood.
The foregoing information was obtained on board the boat, from
her owner, Captain J. W. Low.
The distance from St. John’s, in Canada, to Philadelphia, is nearly
five hundred miles; and the Champlain Canal being now frozen, the
boat is going southward to the Dismal Swamp Canal, to ply there
during the winter. She is said not to injure the banks more than an
ordinary packet boat.
The interest felt on the subject of steam traction on canals, both in
this country and in England, makes the boat well worthy of exami-
nation, especially in reference to her small size in combination with
her great power for towing heavy tonnage. She could readily pass
through the Pennsylvania Canal.
The observations of Mr. Roberts gave occasion to remarks
from Messrs. Cresson, Baldwin, Frazer, EK. Morris, and A. D.
Bache, on the peculiar construction of the water-wheels of this
boat, the paddles being inclined to the direction of the motion
of the vessel, whilst the plane of revolution of the wheel was
in that direction,—and on the theory of the position of the pad-
dle wheel, the proper position of the wheels or propellers of a
canal boat, and other points.
The Treasurer, Mr. Ord, presented his accounts for the year
as required by the laws of the Society, which were referred to
the Committee of Finance.
Mr. Lea, from the Committee of Publication, in conformity
with the laws, laid their accounts for the year before the So-
ciety. The balance of funds in the hands of the Committee is
three hundred and eighty-five dollars and sixty-four cents.
123
The Librarian, Mr. Ord, reported that he had surrendered
to Mr. F. Blake, applying on behalf of the family of Captain
Rogers, the log-book of the steam-ship Savannah, which had
been deposited with the Society by the late Vice President
Hopkinson, on the 3d of April, 1840.
On motion of Mr. Walker, a Committee was appointed to
make and collect observations on the solar eclipse of Dec. 9.
The Committee appointed were Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson,
Prof. A. D. Bache, Prof. Kendall, Mr. R. T. Paine, Prof.
Alexander, Prof. Frazer, Prof. Bartlett, Mr. Lukens, Prof.
Loomis, Prof. Norton, Prof. Locke, Mr. Gummere, Mr. Chas.
J. Wistar, Prof. Courtenay, Prof. Cresson, Prof. Peirce, Mr.
Borden, Mr. Downes, and Mr. Charles M‘Euen.
Stated Meeting, Dec. 20.
Present, thirty-nine members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,
dated Philadelphia, Dec. 9, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of
a copy of Dr. Dunglison’s discourse on the late President of
the Society :—and,
From Mr. Dudley Leavitt, dated Meredith, November,
1844, accompanying tables of the moon’s rising and setting.
Professor Perry, of the United States’ Navy, member of the
Maryland Academy of Sciences, was introduced by Mr. Wal-
ker, and took his seat.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Twenty-eighth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum,
at Hartford, for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and
Dumb. Exhibited to the Asylum, May 11, 1844. Hartford,
1844. 8vo.—From the Directors.
An Introductory Lecture to the Course of Institutes of Medicine, é&c.,
124
in Jefferson Medical College. Delivered Nov. 4, 1844. By
Professor Dunglison. 8vo.—From the Author.
Introductory Lecture to the Course cf Chemistry, delivered in Jeffer-
son Medical College, Nov. 3, 1841. By Franklin Bache, M.D.
8vo.—From the Author.
Introductory Lecture to the Course of Chemistry in Jefferson Medi-
cal College. Delivered Nov. 6, 1843. By Franklin Bache,
M.D. 8vo.—From the same.
Introductory Lecture to the Course of Chemistry, delivered in Jeffer-
son Medical College, Novy. 1844. By Franklin Bache, M.D.
8vo.—from the same.
An Inquiry into the Distinctive Characteristics of the Aboriginal
Race of America. By Samuel George Morton, M.D. Second
Edition, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
A Memoir of William Maclure, Esq. By Samuel George Morton,
M.D. Second Edition, 1844. 8vo.— From the same.
On a supposed New Species of Hippopotamus. By 8S. G. Morton,
M.D. From the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sci-
ences of Philadelphia, for February, 1844.—From the same.
The Committee, consisting of Dr. Meigs, Dr. Dunglison, and
Dr Hays, on the paper of Dr. Bond, entitled, “ Case of Spina
Bifida,’’ read at the last meeting of the Society, presented a
report thereon, recommending that an abstract of the same be
made by the Reporter, to be published in the Proceedings of
the Society; which recommendation was agreed to.
The child was born at term, July 5, 1833; the mother aged 40
years. The pregnancy went several days beyond the reckoning.
Upon washing the child, a spot as large as a half cent, looking like
a coagulum, but covered with a thin film of membrane, was discover-
ed at the lower end of the lumbar spine. It was destitute of the com-
mon integument, and was not raised above the surface. ‘The spinous
processes on the sacrum were absent; those of the lumbar vertebree
were present.
On the third day, the tumour was as large as a walnut, and con-
tinued steadily to increase in size, until it opened on the 27th of Au-
gust, fifty-three days after the birth of the child. Although, for the
first few weeks, the tumour exhibited a low and suppurating surface,
yet it afterwards became covered with a tense, glossy, heated surface,
125
except at three distinct points, through one of which the contents were
discharged.
Dr. Bond’s note of the case is accompanied with drawings repre-
senting the tumour as to colour, size, vascularity and situation. ‘The
sac filled and burst repeatedly,—the fluid discharged becoming, at
each successive opening, more and more turbid, and lastly puriform ;
while the sac acquired after each opening, an increased thickness and
consistency. In the first six weeks, the health of the infant suffered
but little; but at length it began to be emaciated, and to be much
distressed, but was greatly relieved of uneasiness after each discharge.
Tt died on the 69th day.
The third drawing, by Drayton, exhibits the tumour and the spine
dissected. The lower terminus of the spinal cord was found within
the sac; that is to say, it had passed out of the spinal canal, and with
its terminal nerves was enveloped in the thickened membranes and
tissues of which the sac was composed—chiefly dura mater altered by
inflammation.
Dr. Bond refers to two cases treated by Sir Astley Cooper. He
was deterred from making punctures in the tumour in this case, and
it is evident from the dissection, that such treatment would have been
unavailing.
The Committee, consisting of Dr. Patterson, Mr. E.. Morris,
and Professor Kendall, on Mr. Nulty’s communication, entitled
‘Supplementary Note on the Construction and Different Forms
of the Magic Cyclovolute,’’ as published in the Transactions
of the Society, Vol. LV. 1835, recommended the publication of
the same in the Transactions. Publication was ordered accord-
ingly.
The particular arrangement there described, the author deduces in
his present paper from a combination of elementary magic squares of
peculiar forms, and shows that from different combinations of such
squares, and with attention to every property involved in the original
drawing, there may be constructed 768 magic cyclovolutes. A slight
limitation with regard to secondary properties enables him to extend
the number of arrangements to 6144; and these he further increases
to 55296 different magic cyclovolutes, with all the general properties
enumerated in his first paper.
In connexion with his subject, the author presents a new magical
arrangement, analogous to that employed by Dr. Franklin in the
construction of the magic circle; but which, including more extensive
VOL. IV.—R
126
properties, imparts to it further generality. He finds 1536 magic
circles with his own additional improvement here implied; 7680 of
Dr. Franklin’s limited construction; and finally 55296 magic circles,
with further limitation, including, however, the chief property of the
sixteen radii, and all the properties assigned to the twenty-eight prin-
cipal and secondary rings of the magic circle.
The principles on which are founded the preceding results, the
author judges of moment in respect to the magical combination of
numbers; and mentions, as an instance, their immediate application
to the extensive series of 256 numbers 1, 2, 3—256, first magically
combined by Dr. Franklin, and afterwards by Mr. Dalby, professor
in the Royal Military College, as cited by Dr. Hutton. For the
purpose of comparison and remark on this subject, a new perfect
magic square is given. It embraces the preceding series, and is ca-
pable of being made the basis of an enlarged magic cyclovolute. A
corresponding arrangement is alluded to in case of a generalized
magic circle, the number and varieties of which, as well as those of
a magic cyclovolute, however extensive, the author conceives to be
within the design and general scope of his solution.
Mr. Walker, from the Committee on the Solar Eclipse ap-
pointed at the last meeting, reported progress, and stated, that
he had received letters from Professor Pierce of Harvard Uni-
versity, Professor Loomis of the New York University, and
Professor Barnard of the University of Alabama, containing
the observations on the eclipse made by these gentlemen.
A paper, containing Tables of the Moon’s rising and setting,
by Mr. Dudley Leavitt, was read by the Secretary, and refer-
red to a Committee, consisting of Mr. Walker, Dr. Patterson,
and Professor Kendall.
Mr. Justice stated, that glasses of immense magnitude for
telescopes were now fabricated at Paris,—a circumstance on
which doubt had existed in the minds of members when it was
first mentioned at the meeting of the Society of the sixteenth
of August. He also referred to interesting observations on
the Moon’s surface, made with the telescope of Lord Rosse,
and with the refractor at the High School observatory of this
city;—the latter distinctly exhibiting the same appearances as
had been observed with the former.
A communication was read from Mr. J. P. B. Maxwell,
127
containing additional information in regard to the Mastodon
bones, on which a communication from him was read at the
last meeting.
In the description of the bones communicated to the Society at
that time, Mr. Maxwell omitted to mention one circumstance, which
struck him as peculiar. The back grinders, which had not yet cut
through, were placed so far back, that they could be of no use to the
animal in that position, and it appeared evident, that only two grind-
ers could be in use at the same time, and that as the forward ones
were worn out they would be shed, and their place supplied by those
behind pushing forward ;—a beautiful provision—Mr. Maxwell con-
ceives—for an animal of long life subsisting upon hard substances.
Professor Henry, of Princeton, made an oral communication
in regard to some speculations in which he had indulged, re-
Jative to the classification and origin of mechanical power.
He stated, that he was indebted for the origin of this train of thought
to some remarks made by Mr. Babbage in his work on the economy
of machinery, and to the late researches of the German and French
chemists on the subject of vital chemistry ; indeed, all the views con-
tained in the communication, might perhaps be found in detached
portions in different works; but he believed, that they had never be-
fore been brought together and presented as a whole.
He defined mechanical power to be that which is capable of over-
coming a constant resistance, and of producing a continued motion ;
or, in the language of the engineer, it is that which can be employed
to “do work.” It is here used in a more restricted sense than force,
which is applied, as a more general term, to whatever tends to pro-
duce or resist motion. The following list of mechanical powers,
he believed, would be found to include all the prime movers em-
ployed at the present time, either directly or indirectly, in producing
mechanical changes in matter, and all these could be referred to two
sources :—
Water power,
Class 1st. Tide power, Referable to celestial disturbance.
Wind power,
Steam and other )
powers developed | Referable to that which is call-
less ts 4 by combustion. ( ed vital action.
{ Animal power. J
128
These natural motive principles are not always directly employed
in producing work, but are sometimes used to develope other power,
by disturbing the natural equilibrium of other forces, and in this way,
they give rise to a class of mechanical movers, which may be called
intermediate powers. It will be evident on a little reflection, that
the forces of gravity, cohesion, and chemical attraction, with those of
the imponderable agents of nature, so far as they belong to the earth,
all tend to produce a state of stable or permanent equilibrium at the
surface of our planet,—that in all cases, before the energies of these
forces can be exhibited, the disturbing efiect of some extraneous force
is required,—hence these principles in themselves are not the primary
sources of power, but are merely secondary agents in producing me-
chanical effects ;—or, in other words, it will be found, that while the
approximate source of every power is the force exerted by matter, in
its passage from an unstable to a stable state of equilibrium, yet, in
all cases, it may be referred beyond this to a force which disturbed a
previously existing quiescence. As an example, we may take the
case of water power, in which the mechanical effects are approxt-
mately due to the return of the water to a state of stable equilibrium
on the surface of the ocean; but the cause of the continued motion
is the force which produced the original disturbance, and which ele-
vates the liquid in the form of vapour. Also, in the phenomena of
combustion, the immediate source of the power, evolved in the form
of heat, is the passage from an unstable state into one of stable com-
bination of the carbon and hydrogen of the fuel, and the oxygen of
the atmosphere; but this power may ultimately be resolved into the
force which caused the separation of these elements from their pre- |
vious combination in the state of carbonic acid and water.
Now the only forces of any importance, which operate at the sur-
face of the earth to counteract the tendency to a general state of
stable equilibrium are those derived from two sources, namely, celes-
tial disturbance, and what is called vital action; and hence all me-
chanical power, as well as all activity on the surface of the globe,
may be referred to these two sources. The only exception to this ge-
neral regulation is the comparatively limited effect of volcanic action,
which is a power, from whatever source it may be derived, that must
tend to exhaust itself.
Thus far the author considered his conclusions founded on well _
established physical laws; and perhaps here the true spirit of in-
ductive philosophy would admonish him to stop: but they who are
disposed to continue the speculation, and to consider the results of
129
the late researches of the German and French chemists as well es-
tablished truths, may extend the generalization so as to reduce all
mechanical motion on the surface of the earth to a source from
without. Thus, according to Liebig, Dumas and Boussingault, the
mechanical power exerted by animals is due to the passage of orga-
nized matter in the body from an unstable to a stable equilibrium;
and as this matter is derived in an unstable state from vegetables,
and the elements of these again from the atmosphere, it would there-
fore appear to follow, that animal power is referable to the same
sources as that from the combustion of fuel, namely, the original force
which separates the elements of the plants from their stable and ori-
ginal combination with the oxygen of the atmosphere. But what is
this power which furnishes the plant with the material of its growth?
Is it due to a constantly created vital power; or, since its effects are
never directly exhibited but in the presence of light, may not the opi-
nion of many chemists of the present day be adopted, namely, that it
is due to the decomposing energy of the sun’s rays, which are found
to exhibit a wonderful decomposing effect in cases where no vital phe-
nomena are present.
If this hypothesis be adopted, it must be supposed, that vitality is
that mysterious principle which propagates a form and arranges the
atoms of organizable matter, while the power with which it operates,
as well as that developed by the burning fuel and the moving animal,
is a separate force, derived from the divellent power of the sunbeam.
It is true, that this is as yet little more than a mere hypothesis, and
as such forms no part of positive science, but it appears to be founded
on a clear physical analogy, and may therefore form the basis of de-
finite philosophical research.
The remarks of Professor Henry gave rise to a discussion in
which Dr. Hare, Professor Henry and Dr. Meigs participated.
Dr. Meigs animadverted on some observations of M. Colom-
bat de l’Isére on diseases of the Clitoris, and detailed a case of
excessive enlargement of the organ.
The clitoris was injured by a fall fourteen years ago; since which
time it has been constantly increasing in size. The patient was mar-
ried eight years since, and has two children. ‘The tumour was in-
dolent, and pendulous from the front of the os pubis; and con-
sisted of skin and genito-urinary mucous tissue. It formed a
close-sac, filled with a fluctuating mass. Dr. George Norris, sur-
130
geon of the Pennsylvania Hospital, opened the sac by plunging a
lancet into the most dependent portion. Twenty-two ounces of dark
red viscous fluid escaped, consisting of blood perfectly imodorous,
and which had undergone no other alteration than that which takes
place in imperforate uterus or vagina. The fluid resembled pre-
cisely that which Dr. Meigs has seen discharged in cases of atre-
sia vagine. As soon as the liquid was withdrawn, the sac shrunk
like a scrotum. No inflammation nor other inconvenience followed
the operation, which was done in May, 1844. In November, 1844,
the sac was refilling, and contained about eight ounces of fluid.
Dr. Meigs regarded the case as interesting on account of the per-
fect resemblance of the contained fluid to that which is occasionally
preserved for months, and even for years, within the uterus, or within
some part of the reproductive organs. He does not suppose that blood
could be preserved for so many years within a living tissue composed
of materials or substance divested of the qualities of that which com-
poses the apparatus of reproduction. If this opinion be well founded,
the case—he conceives—may serve to shed an additional gleam of
light on the differential powers and qualities of the tissues whose con-
sideration constitutes the subject of general anatomy.
Col. Biddle, on the part of the Committee of Finance, re-
ported a recommendation of the following appropriations for
the ensuing year, which were agreed to:—
Proceedings, . 3 : : : . $300
Binding, : ; : ‘ ; #200
Hall, , é : ‘ : : OO
Journals, : : : : : e200
General Account, . : ; ‘ an. OO
1500
He further read a statement prepared by the Treasurer,
exhibiting the character of the expenditures made by the
Society for some years past, and the nature and extent of its
resources.
Mr. Walker requested the loan of the large lens belonging
to the Society by the High School Observatory; which was
agreed to by the Society,—the Curators being instructed to
effect the same.
131
Dr. Hare presented certain resolutions in regard to the elec-
tion of officers of the Society, and moved that they be printed;
when, on motion of Mr. Kane, they were laid on the table.
is
Sean Ie th adleb
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN. PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vor. IV. JANUARY—APRIL, 1845. No. 32.
Stated Meeting, January 3.
Present, thirty-seven members.
Dr. Franxxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Prof. S. S. Haldeman, a member elect, was presented and
took his seat.
The judges and clerks of the annual election held this day,
reported the appointment of the following officers:—
President.
Robert M. Patterson, M.D.
Vice- Presidents.
Nathaniel Chapman, M.D.,
Franklin Bache, M.D.,
Alexander Dallas Bache, LL.D.
Secretaries.
J. K. Kane,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.,
John F. Frazer,
Alfred Langdon Elwyn, M.D.
Counsellors for Three Years.
Clement C. Biddle, LL.D.,
William Short,
Joseph Henry, LL.D.,
Benjamin Dorr, LL.D.
Curators.
Isaac Hays, M.D.,
Franklin Peale,
John P. Wetherill.
Treasurer.
George Ord.
VOL. IV.—s
134
Letters were received and read:—
From the Zoological Society of London, dated December,
1843, and 30th July, 1844:—
From the Society of Antiquaries, London, dated 22d No-
vember, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of donations from
the Society :— ?
From Prof. Bartlett, dated West Point, 19th December,
1844, on the subject of observations of the late eclipse:—and,
From Prof. Reinwardt, of Leyden University, dated Octo-
ber, 1844, announcing a donation to the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. HI. Parts
2and 3. 1843,1844. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Nos. 120 to 1380,
inclusive. S8vo.—From the same.
Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of
London, read at the Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1844.
8vo.—From the same.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. ‘Third
Series. Vol. VIII. No. 6. December, 1844. 8vo.—From Dr.
R. M. Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XX. No. 12.
December, 1844. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Verhandelingen over de Natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche
overzeesche Bezittingen, door de Leden der Natuurkundige Com-
missie in Indié en andere Schrijvers. Uitgegeven op last Van
den Koning door C. J. Temminck. Botanie. Geredigeerd door
J. A. Susanna, Gedrukt door J. G. la Lau. Leiden, 1839—1842.
Folio.—From Professor C. G. C. Reinwardt.
Twenty-fifth Congress, 3d Session; House of Representatives, Doc.
208. Twenty-eighth Congress, 2d Session; House of Represen-
tatives, Doc. 16.—From the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. No. 25. January,
1845. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
The Hospitals and Surgeons of Paris. An Historical and Statistical
Account of the Civil Hospitals of Paris; with miscellaneous in-
formation, and Biographical Notices of some of the most eminent
135
of the living Parisian Surgeons. By F. Campbell Stewart, M.D.
Philadelphia, 1843. 8vo.—From the Author.
Memoir on the Radical Cure of Club-Foot. By H. Scoutetten,
D.M.P. ‘Translated from the French by F. Campbell Stewart,
M.D. Philadelphia, 1840. 8vo.—From the Translator.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 515 to 518, inclusive. 4to.
FOR THE CABINET.
Copy of a Persian Daric, now in the U. 8. Mint.—From George M.
Justice.
Dr. Dunglison presented No. 31, of the Proceedings, to De-
eember 20th, inclusive.
Dr. Hays presented his resignation of the office of Curator,
to which he had been this day elected.
Stated Meeting, January 17.
Present, twenty-nine members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From A. Dallas Bache, dated Washington, January 7th,
1845, acknowledging the receipt of notice of his election as
Vice-President of the Society :—
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin, dated Ber-
lin, 15th August, 1844, announcing a donation to the Library,
and acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions of this So-
ciety :—
From the Batavian Society of Experimental Philosophers,
dated Rotterdam, 25th October, 1844, announcing a donation
to the Library :—
From Mrs. Anna Maria Thornton, dated Washington, 13th
Nov. 1844, announcing a donation to the Library :—and,
From Dr. Robert M. Patterson, resigning the office of Pre-
sident of the Society, to which he had been elected.
136
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Aus dem Jahre, 1842. Berlin, 1844. 4to.—From the
Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin.
Bericht tiber die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der
Konigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. July
to December, 1843, inclusive. January to June, 1844, inclusive.
8vo.—From the same.
Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome V. 2e Livraison de
- 1844. 8vo.—From the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen van het Bataafsch Genootschap:der Proefon-
dervindelijke Wijsbegeerte te Rotterdam. Negende Deel. Eerste
Stuk. Rotterdam, 1844. 4Ato.—From the Batavian Society of
Experimental Philosophy.
Plan en Grondwetten van het Bataafsch Gencotschap der Proefonder-
vindelijke Wijsbegeerte te Rotterdam. 1843. 4to.—From the
same.
Siebenter Bericht tber das Museum Francisco-Carolinum. Nebst
der vierten Lieferung der Beitrage zur Landeskunde von Oées-
terrich ob der Enns und Selzburg. Linz, 1843. 8vo.—From
the Rev. W. R. Rally.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. IX. No. 17. January, 1845. S8vo.—From Dr.
R. M. Patterson.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. Vol. IX. No. 17. January, 1845.
8vo.— From the Editor.
Recherches sur les Volcans éteints du Vivarais et du Velay; avec
un Discours sur les Volcans brilans, des Mémoires Analytiques
sur les Schorls, la Zéolite, le Basalte, la Pouzzolane, les Laves et
les différentes substances qui s’y trouvent engagées, etc. Par M.
Faujas de Saint-Fond. Grenoble et Paris, 1778. Folio. From
Mrs. Anna Maria Thornton.
Annual Report of the Board of Canal Commissioners, for the Fiscal
Year, ending November 30, 1844. 8vo.—From C. B. Trego,
Esq.
Report of the State Treasurer, upon the Finances of Pennsylvania, to
the Legislature of the State, at the Commencement of the Session
of 1845.—From the same.
137
Report of the President and Managers ef the Schuylkill Navigation
Company, to the Stockholders. January 6,1845. 8vo.—From
S. W. Roberis, Esq.
Report to the Board of Managers of the Schuylkill Navigation Com-
pany, on the Improvement of the Schuylkill Navigation. By
Solomon W. Roberts, Civil Engineer. Philadelphia, January 2,
1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Mirror for Dyspeptics; from the Diary of a Landlord. By J. M.
Sanderson, Franklin House. Philadelphia, 1844.—From the
Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XIX. Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive. 4to.
Tables des Comptes Rendus. ‘Tome XVIII.
Dr. Chapman offered his resignation of the office of Vice-
President of the Society.
Dr. Chapman announced the death of Granville Penn, Esq.,
a member of this Society, upon 28th September, 1844.
Mr. Job R. Tyson was appointed to prepare an obituary no-
tice of Mr. Penn.
Major James D. Graham read a continuation of a paper, en-
titled “Some Observations made upon the Dip of the Magnetic
Needle, at a number of Stations between the City of Washing-
ton and the extreme North-east and North Frontiers of Maine,
in 1841, 1843, and 1844:”’ which was referred to a Committee,
consisting of Prof. Frazer, Prof. Bache, Prof. Kendall.
Prof. S. S. Haldeman read a paper, upon the History of the
Coleoptera Longicornia of the United States, which was re-
ferred to a Committee, consisting of Mr. T. R. Peale, Mr. Lea,
and Mr. Ord.
Mr. George Ord was reélected Librarian.
The following standing Committees were appointed for the
year:—
Of Finance.—Mr. C. C. Biddle, Mr. Lea, Dr. Patterson.
Of Publication.—Mr. Lea, Dr. Hays, Mr. J. Francis Fisher.
On the Hall.—Mr. Campbell, Mr. Fraley, Mr. Kane.
On the Library.—Dr. Hays, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Penning-
ton.
138
The resignations of Dr. Patterson, as President, Dr. Chap-
man, as Vice-President, and Dr. Hays, as Curator, were ac-
cepted by the Society.
The following gentlemen were elected Members of the
Society :—
Cuartes Frepericx Brcx, M.D. of Philadelphia.
Ricnarp Owen, F. R.8., of London.
Str James Crarx, Bart. M.D. of London.
Prince Maximiiien, of Wied.
James Coritanp, M.D. of London.
Masor Witi1am Text Poussin, of Paris.
Proressor J. A. ALEXANDER, of Princeton.
Freprerick Von Raumer, of Berlin.
Stated Meeting, February 7.
Present, forty-six members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Dr. Charles Frederick Beck, a newly elected member, ap-
peared and took his seat.
Letters were received and read:—
From Dr. Charles Frederick Beck, dated January 24, 1845,
and from Professor Joseph A. Alexander, Princeton, dated
January 25, 1845, respectively acknowledging the receipt of
notice of their election as members:—
From the Linnzan Society of London, dated London, 8th
November, 1844:—From the Statistical Society of London,
dated London, Ist August, 1844:—From the Zoological So-
ciety of London, dated London, 7th November, 1844:—From
the Connecticut Historical Society, dated Hartford, 20th Janu-
ary, 1845:—From the New York Historical Society, dated
New York, 10th December, 1844:—From the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, dated Philadelphia, 21st
January, 1845, announcing the receipt of the Proceedings and
Transactions of this Society: —
139
From the Honorary Secretary of the Ethnological Society
of London, dated London, 13th November, 1844, forwarding
Vol. I. and part 1. Vol. II. of the Journal of the Society:—and
From Mr. Eli K. Price, dated Philadelphia, 28th January,
1845, on business connected with the will of the late Nathan
Dunn.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Mémoires de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint Péters-
bourg. Wime Série. Sciences Mathematiques, Physiques et
Naturelles. Tome Cinquiéme. Premiére Partie: Sciences Ma-
thématiques et Physiques. ‘Tome Troisitme. 4me, 5me, et
6me Livraisons. Tome Quatriéme, 1ére Livraison. Saint Péters-
bourg, 1844. 4to.—rom the Imperial Academy of St. Peters-
burg.
Mémoires de Académie Imperiale des Sciences de Saint Péters-
bourg. VIme Série. Sciences Politiques, Histoire, Philologie.
Tome Sixiéme, 4me, 5me et 6me Livraisons. Tome Septiéme,
lére, 2de et 3me Livraisons. Saint Pétersbourg, 1844. 4to.—
From the same.
Recueil des Actes de la Seance Publique de l’Académie Imperiale des
Sciences de Saint Petersbourg, tenue le 29 Décembre, 1843. 4to.
From the same.
The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XIX.
Part the Third. London, 1844. 4to.—From the Linnean So-
ciety.
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Nos. 19 to 22, in-
clusive. S8vo.—From the same.
List of the Linnean Society of London. 1844. 4to.—From the
same.
Journal of the Ethnological Society of London. Vol. J. Parts 1
and 2. 8vo.—From the Ethnological Society.
The Regulations and List of Members of the Ethnological Society of
London. 1843 and 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
Report of the Councii of the Ethnological Society of London. 1844.
8vo.—Firom the same.
Address to the Ethnological Society of London, delivered at the An-
niversary Meeting, on the 25th of May, 1844. By Richard
King, M.D., Secretary. London, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
140
Twenty-fourth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1848-44. 8vo.—
From the Society.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the Year 1842. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A., Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. III. Oxford, 1844. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe
Trustees.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. II. No. 6. November, December, 1844. 8vo.—From
the Academy.
Eighth Annual Catalogue of the Medical Institute of Louisville.
Session, 1844-45, and Circular for the ensuing Session. Louis-
ville, (Ky.) 1845. . 8vo.—Donor unknown.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. January,
1845. No. 1. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
crety.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sor Silliman and Benjamin Silliman, Jun. Vol. XLVII. No.
1. January, 1845. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The Zoologist: a Popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History.
No. XXIII. November, 1844. London. 8vo.—From Edward
Newman, Esq., Editor.
The Phytologist: a Botanical Journal. No. XLII. November,
1844. London. 8vo.—From the same.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge. For the Year of our Lord 1845. London. 12mo.
From Petty Vaughan, Esq.
Report on the Meteorology of Toronto. By Lieut. Col. Edward
Sabine, R. A., F.R.S. From the Report of the British Asso-
ciation for the Advancement cf Science, for 1844. 8vo.—From
Lieut. Col. Sabine.
Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library, State of New
York, Senate, No. 10.—F vom the Trustees.
Annual Report of the Auditor General, for the Fiscal Year ending
November 30, 1844. Harrisburg, 1845. 8vo.—From C. B.
Trego, Esq.
Twenty-eighth Congress—2d Session, (Senate) Document, No. 16.
Report of the Secretary, communicating a Report of the Superin-
tendent of the Survey of the Coast, showing the progress of the
work during the year ending November, 1844.—From Professor
A: D. Bache.
141 —
Annual Oration delivered before the Philadelphia Medical Society, by
appointment, at the opening of its Session of 1844-5. By D.
Francis Condie, M.D. Philadelphia, 1845. 8vo.—From the
Author. ;
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II]. February, 1845. No.
26. 8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
American Quarterly Journal of Agriculture and Science. Con-
ducted by Dr. E. Emmons and Dr. A. J. Prime. Vol. I. No.
1. January, February, March, 1845. Albany, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Editors.
Medical Topography of Brazil and Uruguay: with Incidental Re-
marks. By G. R. B. Horner, M.D., Surgeon U. S. Navy.
Philadelphia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Act of Incorporation of the Northern Liberties Gas Works; with the
Annual Reports of the Trustees to the Board of Commissicners
of the Incorporated District of the Northern Liberties. 1844.
8vo.—From Dr. Hays.
Report of the Board of Managers of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation
Company to the Stockholders, January 13, 1845. 8vo.—From
the Managers.
An Introductory Lecture on the Means of Promoting the Intellectual
Improvement of the Students and Physicians of the Valley of the
Mississippi, delivered in the Medical Institute of Louisville, No-
vember 4, 1844. By Daniel Drake, M.D. Louisville, Ky.,
1844. 8vo.—Donor unknown.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten, Nos. 519, 520, 521. Ato.
Professor Hart, on the part of Mr. Walker, read to the So-
ciety two letters from Professor Schumacher, in relation to the
medal offered by the King of Denmark, for the discovery of a
new comet.
Dr. Patterson drew the attention of the Society to the first
report of Professor Bache, Superintendent of the Coast Survey,
and referred to the part which the Philosophical Society had
taker in that great work; citing some of the important results
attained by Professor Bache.
The remarks of Dr. Patterson gave occasion to observations
from Mr. Justice and Professor Frazer, both gentlemen refer-
VOL. IV.—T
142
red to the accuracy with which the late Mr. Hassler had exe-
euted the work whilst under his superintendence.
The list of the surviving members of the Society, upon the
Ist January last, was read, from which it appeared that the
number was 351; of whom 244 are resident in the United
States, and 107 in foreign countries. The deaths reported in
1844 are 12.
Dr. Elwyn announced the death of M. Jules de Wallenstein,
late Russian Consul at Rio Janeiro, and a member of this So-
ciety.
Mr. Ord stated that Dr. Griffith had made an index to Fe-
russac’s great work on molluscous animals;—and on motion,
the thanks of the Society were directed to be presented to Dr.
Griffith, for having prepared the same.
On motion of Mr. Kane, it was resolved, that the whole
subject, referred to in the letter of Mr. Price read this eve-
ning, be referred to the Commitee of Finance, in connexion
with the Treasurer, with power to take order.
Special Meeting, February 14.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Presiding Officer stated that he had called the Special
Meeting in consequence of a Communication, addressed to him
as Vice-President, by a Committee of the Athenzeum, and pro-
posing to this Society to join with the Athenzum in erecting
a new building, to accommodate both Societies, upon the lot
occupied by the present building.
A Committee of Five were appointed to meet the Commit-
tee of the Athenzeum, and confer with them on the proposition
contained in their letter, and to report hereafter to the Society
the result of such conference.
The Committee are Dr. Patterson, Mr. Ord, Mr. Smith,
Mr. Lea, and Mr. Justice.
143
Stated Meeting, February 21.
Present, thirty-one members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Institute of France, dated Paris, 14th November,
1844, and the Royal Academy of Sciences of Turin, respec-
tively acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions and Pro-
ceedings of this Society :—
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Brussels, dated
11th October, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of the Transac-
tions and Proceedings of this Society, and transmitting certain
works:—
From a Committee of the Law Academy, dated Philadelphia,
19th February, 1845, asking permission of the Society to have
a copy made of the portrait of the late President, Mr. Du
Ponceau, belonging to this Society :—
From Bishop Hughes, dated New York, February 8, 1845,
on forwarding a package of books to the Society,—and
From Richard Seldiner, Vice Consul of Sweden and Nor-
way, dated Philadelphia, 21st February, 1845, on transmitting
a package of books for the Society, from M. Berzelius of Stock-
holm.
The request contained in the letter from the Committee of
the Law Academy was granted.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Nouveaux Mémoires de l’Académie Royaie des Sciences et Belles-
Lettres de Bruxelles. Tome VIII. Bruxelles, 1834. 4to.—
From the Royal Academy of Sciences.
Mémoires Couronnés, et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers, publiés
par PAcadémie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de Brux-
elles. Tome XVI, 1843. Bruxelles, 1844. 4to.—From the
same.
Annuaire de Académie Royale des Sciences, etc. de Bruxelles.
Dixiéme Année, 1844. 18mo.—From the same.
Bulletins de Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de
144
Bruxelles. Tome VII. re Partie, No. 8 to 6, inclusive. Tome
VII. 2me Partie, Nos. 7 and 8.. Tome X. 2me Partie, No. 8
to 12, inclusive. Tome XI. Ire Partie, No. 1 to 6, inclusive.
Tome XI. 2me Partie, Nos. 7 and 8. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Annales de l’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles, publi¢es aux frais de
YEtat, par le Directeur, A. Quetelet, Secrétaire perpétuel de
Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres, etc. etc. etc.
Tome III. Bruxelles, 1844. 4to.—From the Director of the
Observatory.
Recherches Statistiques, par A. Quetelet, Président de la Commission
Centrale de Statistique de Belgique, etc. etc. Bruxelles, 1844.
Ato.—From the Author.
Annuaire de l’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles, par A. Quetelet, Di-
recteur de cet Etablissement. 11me Année, 1844. Bruxelles,
1843. 18mo.—From the Director, A. Quetelet.
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Academiens Handlingar, for Ar 1842. Stockholm,
1843. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Stock-
holm.
Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Férhandlingar. Arg 1,
1844. Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive. 8yvo.—From the same.
Ars-Berittelse om Botaniska Arbeten och Upptickter for ar, 1838.
Till Kongl. Vetenskaps-Academien afgifven den 31 Mars, 1839.
Af Joh. Em. Wikstrém. Stockholm, 1842. 8vo.—From the
same.
Ars-Berattelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi afgifven den
31 Mars 1844; af Jac. Berzelius, K. V. Acad. Secret. Stock-
holm, 1844. 8yo.—From the same.
Ars-Beriittelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under aren 1840-42. Till
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Academien afgifven af Zoologie. Intenden-
terna vid Rikets naturhistoriska Museum. Tredje. Delen. (Crus-
tacea-Vermes,) af S. Lovén. Stockholm, 1844. 8vo.—From
the same.
Tal af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Preeses Herr Hans Jarta,'hal-
let den 31 Mars 1889, p& hundrado 4rs-dagen efter Akademiens
instiftalse. Stockholm, 18438. 8vo.—F vom the same.
Tal af Akademiens Preeses Herr Friherre C. G. Von Brinkman, den
31 Mars 18438. Stockholm, 1848. 8vo.—From the same.
Die Theogonie, Philosophie und Kosmogonie der Hindus, von dem
grafen M. Bjérnstjerna. Aus dem Schwedischen iibersetzt und
mit Anmerkungen begleitet von J. R. Stockholm, 1848. @vo.—
From the Author.
145
Jahrbiicher der Literatur. “January to December, 1843. Nos. 101
to 104, inclusive. Vienna. 8vo.—From Baron Von Hammer
Purgstall. .
Geschichte der Ilchane das ist der Mongolen in Persien. Von Ham-
mer Purgstall. Zweiter Band. Darmstadt, 1843. 8vo.—From
the Author.
Handbuch der Gesetze tiber ausschlieszende Privilegien auf neue
Erfindungen, Entdeckungen und Verbesserungen. Von Dr. An-
ton Schuller. Wien, 1841. S8vo.—From Baron Von Hammer
Purgstall. ;
M. Tudés Tarsasagi Névkényv, Astronomiai Naploval és Kalenda-
riommal 1843-ra. Budén. 8vo.— From the same.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series, Vol. IX. February, 1845. No. 2. 8vo.—From Dr.
R. M. Patterson.
The Cyclopeedia of Practical Medicine. Edited by John Forbes,
M.D. F.R.S., Alexander Tweedie, M.D., and John Conolly, M.D.
Revised, with additions, by Robley Dunglison, M.D. Parts 1
to 24, inclusive. Philadelphia, 1844-45. 8vo.—From Dr.
Dunglison.
Memorial soliciting a State Hospital for the Insane, submitted to the
Legislature of Pennsylvania, February 3, 1845. Harrisburg,
1845. 8vo.—From C. B. Trego, Esq.
The Sanitary Condition of the Labouring Population of New York,
with Suggestions for its Improvement. A Discourse (with Addi-
tons) delivered on the 30th December, 1844, at the Repository of
the American Institute. By John H. Griscom, M.D. New York,
1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten, Nos. 523, 524, 525. Ato.
Dr. Patterson exhibited to the Society a counterfeit sove-
reign, bearing the head of George IV., and dated 1824, which
was so perfect an imitation of the genuine coin, as to elude de-
tection by any of the sensible or mechanical tests in common
use, singly or combined.
The spurious piece is of the full legal weight of the sovereign,—
123.3 grains. It is of the true dimensions, except a scarcely percep-
tible increase in thickness. It has the true colour, not only at the
146
surface, but in the interior, when cut. Its mechanical execution is
such as to present no fault to an ordinary observer, even with the
aid of a glass.
The only process, short of actual assay, by which it can be detect-
ed, is a trial of its specific gravity. A genuine sovereign of the same
colour, would show a specific gravity of about 17.70; the piece in
question gives but 16.22.
On assay it was shown to be composed as follows :—
Gold, 803 thousandths,
Silver, 122 x
Copper, 75 ie
ae er
1000
Such an alloy should show the specific gravity above, or very
nearly, according to the printed tables prepared at the Mint, by the
_Assayers, Messrs. Eckfeldt and Du Bois.
The value of the piece is $4.26; that of the sovereign of full weight
$4.86; making a profit on each piece of 60 cents, or about 14 per
cent. Counterfeiters are rarely contented with so small a gain, and
their fraud is therefore more easily detected. In the present case,
the smallness of the profit in the individual piece, gives reason to ap-
prehend that the roguery is to be made available by a grand opera-
tion, and that many such counterfeits may be already abroad.
Dr. Dunglison announced that the Secretaries had appointed
him as Corresponding Secretary, and Prof. Frazer as Reporter,
for the present year.
Dr. Patterson, on the part of the Committee appointed at the
last stated meeting, to meet a Committee of the Athenzum,
made a report, and offered the following resolution.
Resolved, That the proposal from the Atheneum, for the
erection on the lot now occupied by the Society’s hall, of a
new building for the accommodation of the two Institutions, is
deemed by the Society to be inexpedient, and that it be there-
fore respectfully declined.
The resolution was adopted, and the Committee was dis-
charged.
147
Stated Meeting, March 7.
Present twenty-five members.
Dr. Bacur, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From Mr. J. R. Ingersoll, dated Washington, 19th January,
1845, announcing that he had received and forwarded a dona-
tion of books from the French Minister of War:—
From the Royal Society of Antiquarians of the North, dated
Copenhagen, 14th May, 1844, announcing a donation to the
Library of the Society :—
From the French Minister, dated Washington, 12th Febru-
ary, 1845, announcing a denation to the Society’s Library:—
From the American Colonization Society, dated Washing-
ton, 22d February, 1845, acknowledging the receipt of the
Transactions of the Society, and announcing a donation to the
Society’s library :—and,
From Prof. S. 8. Haldeman, dated Chicquesalunga, March 3,
1845, announcing the desire of the Allgemeine Schweitzer-
ische Gesellschaft fiir die gesammten Naturwissenschaften, at
Berne, Switzerland, to exchange publications with this So-
ciety.
The above mentioned Society was placed upon the list of
exchanges of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Dictionnaire Frangais-Berbére (dialecte écrit et parlé par les Kabailes
de la division d’Alger) ouvrage composé par ordre de M. le Mi-
nistre de la Guerre. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Minister of War, Paris.
Rudiments de la Langue Arabe de Thomas Erpénius, traduits en
Frangais, accompagnés de Notes, et suivis d’un Supplément in-
diquant les differences entre le langage littéral et le langage vul-
gaire. Par A. E. Hébert, Capitaine du Génie. Paris, Impri-
merie Royale, 1844. 8vo.— From the same.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢éme Série. Tome IV. No. 18. Sep-
148
tembre—Octobre, 1844. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of
Paris.
Die Konigliche Gesellschaft fir Nordische Alterthumskunde. Jah-
resversammlung, 1848. Copenhagen. 8vo.—From the Royal
Society of Northern Antiquaries.
Om det Engelske Konjugationssystem. Med et Tilleeg om Forholdet
imellem Dansk og Engelsk. Forfattet af P. Hjort. Copenhagen,
1843. 4to.—From the same.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Il. Jan. and Feb. 1845. No.7. 8vo.—From the Aca-
demy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. IX. March, 1845. No. 3. 8vo.—From Dr. R.
M. Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. Feb.
1845. No. 2. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
A Historical Examination of the State of Society in Western Africa,
as formed by Paganism and Muhammedanism, Slavery, the Slave
Trade and Piracy, &c. By Joseph Tracy. Boston, 1845.
Second Edition. 8vo.—From the same.
The Literary Remains of the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, D.D. Witha
Memoir of his Life. By Romeo Elton, D.D. New York, 1844.
S8vo.—From the Author.
A Report to the Navy Department of the United States, on American
Coals applicable to Steam Navigation, and to other purposes. By
Walter R. Johnson. Washington, 1844. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a letter from
Professor Morse, relative to the Magnetic Telegraph. Doc. 24,
28th Congress, 2d Session, House of Representatives.—F'rom the
Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. March, 1845. No. 27.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Reminiscences of Old Gloucester: or Incidents in the History of the
Counties of Gloucester, Atlantic, and Camden, New Jersey. By
Isaac Mickle. Philadelphia, 1845. 8vo.—From Townsend
Ward, Esq.
ADPITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences; par MM. les Secrétaires perpétuels)s ‘Tome XIX. Nos.
18 to 21, inclusive. 28th October to 18th November, 1844. 4to.
149
The Committee, consisting of Mr. Titian R. Peale, Mr. Lea,
and Mr. Ord, on Mr. Haldeman’s paper, entitled “Materials
towards a History of the Coleoptera Longicornia of the United
States,’ reported in favour of its publication, which was or-
dered accordingly.
This paper contains a general view of the Longicornia of the Uni-
ted States, including a list of the species, with references to the works
in which they are published. The characters of several new genera,
and descriptions of a large number of new species are given.
The list of Committees on subjects of science, which had not
reported, was read.
The Committees on Prof. Gillis’ paper, describing Instru-
ments, on the Magnetic Observatory; and on Periodical Ob-
servations, were discharged.
Certain letters of a private nature, written by Mr. Jared
Sparks, and found among the letters bequeathed to the Society
by the late Mr. John Vaughan, were ordered to be returned to
Mr. Sparks.
Stated Meeting, March 21.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
tt
A letter was received and read:—
From the Librarian of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory, dated Boston, 9th March, 1845, announcing a deficiency
in their series of the Transactions and Proceedings of this So-
ciety, which was referred to the Librarian, with authority to
take order.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1844. Part I]. London, 1844. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1843-44. No. 59. 8vo.—From
the same.
VOL. IV.—U
150
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the Year 1842: under the direction of
George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published
by order of the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to her Majesty’s
command. London, 1844. 4to.—From the same.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XV. Part
IV. Edinburgh, 1844. 4to.—From the Royal Society of Edin-
burgh.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Nos. 23, 24. 8vo.
From the same.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. No. XV. Part Il. London, 1844. 8vo.—From the So-
ciety.
Twenty-eighth Annual Report of the American Colonization Society,
with the Proceedings of the Board of Directors. Washington,
1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. March,
1845. No. 3. 8vo.—From the same.
The Zoologist: a Popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History,
&c. No. 24. December, 1844. 8vo.—From Edward New-
man, Esq.
The Phytologist: a Botanical Journal. No. XLIII. December,
1844. 8vo.—From the same.
Reports on the Washington Silver Mine in Davidson County, North
Carolina. By Richard C. Taylor. With an Appendix, contain-
ing Assays of the Ores, returns of Silver and Gold produced, and
Statements of the Affairs of the Washington Mining Company.
Philadelphia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Observations on the Botany of Illinois, more especially in reference
to the Autumnal Flora of the Prairies. By C. W. Short, M.D.—
From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 522, 527, 528. 4to.
Prof. Frazer called the attention of the Society to the report
of Mr. Richard C. Taylor, upon the Washington Silver Mine
in Davidson County, North Carolina, presented by him to the
Society’s library this evening, and made some remarks upon
the interesting peculiarities of the mine.
151
The mine consists of various ores of silver and lead intermixed
with zinc, lying in two large and two smaller lodes and veins. These
veins underlie to the west, and are cut off by two faults, one to the
northward and one to the southward, which, being produced, meet
to the westward of the workings. In consequence, as the works
deepen, the length of the workings decrease, yet the whole content of
the veins has not been found to diminish; the throw of the faults was
not yet known, but must be determined when the veins within the
area of the faults are worked out.
Dr. Patterson remarked, that this was the only silver mine
worked in the United States, and that the product, as pre-
sented at the Mint, had been about $30,000 in silver, contain-
ing about $7000 in gold.
Dr. Bache called the attention of the meeting to the late ex-
periments of Dr. Faraday upon the condensation of gases.
Stuted Meeting, April 4.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Bacues, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was received :—
From Signor Francesco Zantedeschi, dated Venice, 9th No-
vember, 1844, transmitting certain memoirs of which he is the
author, and expressing his anxiety that a scientific intercourse
should exist between America and Northern Italy, through
this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The History of Oregon and California, and the other Territories on
the North-west Coast of North America; accompanied by a
Geographical View and Map of those Countries, and a number
of Documents as Proofs and Illustrations of the History. By
Robert Greenhow. Boston, 1844. 8vo.—From the Depart-
ment of State, Washington.
152
Boston Journal of Natural History. Vol. II. August, 1839. No. 3,
4, 8vo. Vol. V. No. 1. January, 1845.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Nos. 17 to
21, inclusive. October, 1843, to November, 1844. 8vo.—From
the same.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. HI. April, 1845. No. 28.
8vo.—From Lea & Blanchard.
First Report on Meteorology, to the Surgeon-General of the United
States Army, by James P. Espy, A.M. Washington, Oct. 9,
1843. 4to.—From the Author.
Report of the Select Committee of the House, relative to the Use of
Mercury in the Practice of Medicine. Harrisburg, 1845. 8vo.—
From Charles B. Trego, Esq.
Report of the Select Committee on the Maps, Plates, &c., of the Ex-
ploring Expedition. 28th Congress, 2d Session, House of Re-
presentatives, Doc. 160.—From Titian R. Peale.
Memoirs on the Military Resources of the Valley of the Ohio, as ap-
plicable to Operations on the Gulf of Mexico; and on a System
for the Common Defence of the United States. By John San-
ders. With a Review of the same by James L. Mason. Wash-
ington, 1845. 8vo.—From Major Hartman Bache.
Trattato del Magnetismo e della Elettricita dell’ ab. Francesco Zan-
tedeschi. Parte I. Venezia, 1844. -8vo.—From the Author.
Elenco delle Principali Opere Scientifiche presentate ad Accademie o
pubblicate dell’ Abate Francesco Zantedeschi. . Venezia, 1842.
Ato.—From the same.
Del Transporto della Materia Pesante nelle due opposte Correnti dell’
Apparato Voltiano della loro Natura e del Moto Vorticoso 0 a Spi-
rale dell’ Arco Luminoso. Memoria dell’ Abate Francesco Zan-
tedeschi. Vicenza, 1844. 4to.—F rom the same. -
Memoria sul Termo-Elettricismo Dinamico nei Circuiti formati di un
solo metallo dell’ Abate Francesco Zantedeschi. Vicenza, 1844.
Ato.—From the same.
Report of Edward Miller, Civil Engineer, on the Improvement of the
Schuylkill Navigation, made to the Board of Managers, March
11,1845. 8vo.—From S. W. Roberts.
The list of Committees on subjects of science, which have
not yet reported, was read.
The Committee on Prof. Henry’s communications of elec-
153
trical induction, having at present nothing before them, were
discharged.
The list of members appointed to write obituary notices of
deceased members of the Society, was read.
Dr. Patterson drew the attention of the Society to a speci-
men of what is technically called a “grain” of gold, found on
the lands of a Virginia gentleman, Mr. David R. Pulliam, in
Spotsylvania County: its weight was 255 ounces: the quality
of the gold, 897.5 thousandths by standard. The specific gra-
vity of the gold was found to be 17.87. The specific gravity
of the whole mass was 14.87; the value of the gold in it is
$456.54, which was determined by the problem of Archi-
medes. Dr. Patterson referred to cases of grains of gold found
in this country, which are on record in the Manual of Coins
by Messrs. Eckfeldt and Du Bois, and to others found in other
countries.
Professor Frazer mentioned one found in 1843, in the Ural
mountains, described by Baron Humboldt in the Annales de
Chimie, Tom. VII., which is the largest on record, weighing
over 72 lbs. avoirdupois.
Stated Meeting, April 18.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Dr. Bacuz, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 2d Novem-
ber, 1844, acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions and
Proceedings of the Society:— =
From the Society of Antiquaries of London, dated London,
29th November, 1844, accompanying a donation of certain
works to this Society :—
From Mr. C. A. Le Sueur, dated Havre, 14th February,
1845, accompanying a donation of Geological Views of the
Falaises at the Cape of Laheve, near Havre :—and
From the American Minister at the Court of St. James, Mr.
Everett, dated London, 14th March, 1845, in relation to the
154
next meeting of the Scienziati Ltaliant, which takes place at
Naples, on the 20th September next.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Archzologia; or, Miscellaneous Tracts, relating to Antiquity. Pub-
lished by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Vol. XXX.
London, 1844. 4to.—From the Society of Antiquaries.
An Index to Archeologia. From Vol. XVI. to Vol. XXX., inclu-
sive. Published by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Lon-
don, 1844. 4to.—F rom the same.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London.
Vol. VI. Nos. 9,10, 11. 8vo.—From the Royal Astronomi-
cal Society.
Memoir of Francis Baily, Esquire, D.C.L., Oxford and Dublin, &c.
&c. By Sir John F. W. Herschel, Bart. London, 1845. 8vo.
From the same.
Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome V. 3e Livraison de
1844. Tome VI. 4e Livraison de 1844. 8vo.—From the
Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢éme Serie. Tome IV. No. 19. No-
vembre, 1844. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XLVIII. No. 2.
April, 1845. 8vo.—From the Editors.
L’Art de Vérifier les Dates, depuis l’année 1770, jusqu’a nos jours.
Publié par M. le Marquis de Fortiu. Tome XVIII. Paris, 1844.
8vo.—From D. B. Warden, Esq.
Mélanges, par J. C. F. Ladoucette. Seconde édition. Paris, 1845.
8vo.—From the Author.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. I. No.7. January, 1845. 8vo.—From the Editor.
The Zoologist ; a Popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History.
Nos. 25 and 26. 8vo.—From Edward Newman, Esq.
The Phytologist; a Botanical Journal. Nos. 44 and 45. January
and February, 1845. 8vo.— From the same.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. No. XVIII. April, 1845. 8vo.
From the Editor.
Curtii Sprengelii facultatis medicze Halensis senioris Opuscula Acade-
mica collegit, edidit, vitamque auctoris breviter enarravit Julius
Rosenbaum, M.D. Vienne, 1844. 8vo.—From Dr. Hays.
155
The Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, for 1844. Philadelphia, 1845.
8vo.—From the Directors.
A Report to the Navy Department of the United States, on American
Coals applicable to Steam Navigation, and to other purposes. By
Walter R. Johnson. 8vo.—From the Navy Department.
Reports of the Majority and Minority of the Committee on Internal
Improvements, relative to granting the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road the right of way through Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, 1845.
8vo.— From C. B. Trego, Esq.
Vues et Coupes du Cap de la Heéve; Plan du littoral du Cap de la
Heve, etc. etc. A lithographic view of the Cape near Havre,
in France. By C. Lesueur.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de Académie des
Sciences. Tome XIX. Nos. 22 to 27, inclusive. Ato.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 526. 4to.
Dr. Hays was excused from the duty of preparing an obitu-
ary notice of Mr. Keating.
Dr. Patterson adverted again to the subject of grains of gold,
and read from the Annales de Chimie, the account of the grain
referred to by Professor Frazer at the last meeting. It weighed
23,159 dwts. Its fineness was not given, but its probable value
was over 23,000 dollars.
Dr. Patterson then drew attention to a comparison between
the value of the French standard kilogramme and our own
weights, as deduced from the various weighings of French
gold at the Mint—which comparison, he remarked, although
not as accurate as those made for scientific purposes, was still
sufficiently so to give to it interest and commercial import-
ance.
On 14th May, 1836, an invoice of French indemnity gold was re-
ceived at the Mint, consisting (besides coins) of 28 bars.
The weight stated by the French Mint was 296.1607 kilogrammes.
At our Mint, weighing to the nearest dwt. the weight found was
793.5 lbs. Hence the weight of the kilogramme is deduced
2.6792767 lbs., or 15432.63379 grains. In weighing gold and
silver the pound Troy is alone used.
156
Mr. Hassler’s direct comparison of the standards gives 2.679367
Ibs., or 15433.15902 grains. The difference between the two is
0.525228 grains.
The two first weighings were upon a beam considered less capable
of accuracy than that used in the remaining eight. ‘The mean of the
last eight weighings gave as the value of the kilogramme 2.678844
Ibs., or approximately 2.6789 Ibs. A number easily remembered
from the peculiar order of the decimal figures.
2.6789 lbs. is equivalent to 15480.464 grains, which is less than
Mr. Hassler’s determination by 2.695 grains.
Tt was to be expected that the weighing here would fall short of the
weighing in France, on account @f the handling and rubbing which
the bars must necessarily undergo in transportation. On the other
hand, Mr. Hassler’s result is probably too high.
The result obtained upon comparison by the French Minister of
the Interior, for the kilogramme, was - 2 : 15432.719
By Dr. Moll, CRA ay. SYPM bea ROB
By Weber, at Berlin, by platmum, — - - - . 15482.082
By Hassler, - - - - - - - 15432.634
15432 grains will correspond exactly to 643 dwts., or 82.15 oz.,
or 2.67916 lbs.
Upon 4th January, 1843, a deposit of French gold was made at
the Mint by Mr. August Belmont.
The weights of the kilogramme deduced from the three weigh-
ings were respectively, 32.15494, 32.15282, 32.15780 oz.: mean
32.15487 oz., equivalent to 643.097 dwts., or 15434.337 grains,
which gives an excess to the value of the kilogramme of about 2
grains.
' Dr. Hays announced the death of Dr. Lorenzo Martini, of
Turin, a member of this Society.
Mr. Kane having expressed a desire to be excused from
serving upon the Committee on the revision of the By-laws,
Mr. Dillingham was appointed upon that Committee in his
stead.
The Prince of Canino and Musignano of Rome, was invited
to represent this Society at the meeting of the Scienziatz
Italiani of Naples, on the 20th September next.
Mr. Epwarp Mruter, Civil Engineer, of Philadelphia, was
elected a member of the Society.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vor. lV. MAY—AUGUST, 1845. No. 33.
Stated Meeting, May 2.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Prof. A. D. Bacus, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Mr. Edward Miller, a member elect, was presented, and
took his seat.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Museum d’Histoire Naturelle, dated Paris, 15th
March, 1845, announcing the receipt of the Transactions and
Proceedings of this Society: and,—
From the Bowditch Library, dated Boston, February, 1845,
acknowledging the receipt of a donation from this Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manu-
factures, and Commerce. Vol. LV. London, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Society.
Third Bulletin of the Proceedings of the National Institute for the
Promotion of Science, Washington, D. C. February, 1842, to
February, 1845. Also, Proceedings of the Meeting of April,
1844. Washington, 1845. 8vo.—From the Institute.
Report of the Aboriginal Names and Geographical Terminology of
the State of New York. Part I. Valley of the Hudson. Made
to the New York Historical Society, by Henry R. Schoolcraft.
New York, 1845. 8vo.—From the New York Historical So-
ciety.
VOL. IvV.—x
158
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. April,
1845. No. 4. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Twenty-seventh and Twenty-eighth Annual Reports of the Superin-
tending Committee of the London Provident Institution, 18438,
1844.—From Wm. Vaughan, Esq.
Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a Report of
Chemical Analyses of Sugars, Molasses, &c.; and of Researches
on Hydrometers, made under the Superintendence of Prof. A. D.
Bache. By Prof. R. S. M‘Culloh.— From the Author.
Catalogue of Plants, collected by the Botanical Department of the Pro-
vidence Franklin Society, principally in Rhode Island, in 1844.
Arranged by 8. T. Olney. 8vo.
Directions in regard to the Operations of the Coast Survey, for
1845-46. Approved by the Treasury Department, March, 1845.
—From Professor A. D. Bache.
Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a Report of
the Superintendent of the Construction of Standard Weights and
Measures.—From the same.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. II. May, 1845. 8vo.—
From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Extrait du Catalogue Général de Hector Bossange. Paris, 1845.
8vo.—From Clement C. Biddle, Esq.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. Nos. 154 to 171, inclusive.
December, 1843, to February, 1845. 8vo.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Profes-
sor Jameson. Nos. 71 to 75, inclusive. January, April, July,
October, 1844. January, 1845. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 529, 5380. 4to.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Fraley was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Wm. H. Keating.
Mr. Lea read a continuation of his paper on Fresh Water
and Land Shells, which was referred to a Committee, consist-
ing of Dr. Griffith, Dr. Hays, and Mr. Ord. The paper con-
tains descriptions of twenty-six new species of the genera
Unio, Margaritana and Anodonta; twenty-three of Me-
159
lania; two Anculosa; six cf his new genus Schizostoma;
and one Paludina; the whole being from the Southern States.
Dr. Franklin Bache having temporarily taken the chair, —
Prof. A. D. Bache called attention to the report made by him
in February last, to the Treasury Department, on the progress
of the construction of standard weights and measures, and of
balances. A copy of this report had been presented to the So-
ciety at a previous meeting.
The work of constructing standards had been commenced by the
late Mr. F. R. Hassler in 1835; and at the time of his decease the
standard weights for the Custom Houses of the United States and for
the States had been made, and generally delivered. One-third of the
capacity measures had been completed, and the rest were in different
stages of progress. About one-fourth of the measures of length
had been finished, and the rest were in progress. Many other stan-
dards for miscellaneous purposes had been made and delivered. The
balances used in the office of weights and measures to adjust stan-
dards had been made; two other balances had been finished, and
thirty, intended for distribution to the States, had been commenced.
The standard weights sent to the Custom Houses and States, con-
sisted of 1 Ib. troy; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, and 50 Ibs. avoirdu-
pois; besides which, sets of weights from 10 02. to 7/55 02. troy had
been distributed to the States.
The standard measure is a yard, subdivided.
The liquid capacity measures sent to the principal Custom Houses
and to the States, consisted of a gallon, half gallon, quart, pint, and
half pint.
The standard of dry measure was the half bushel, one of which
had been prepared for each of the States.
The set of balances consisted of three; one for weights from 1 Ib.
to 150 lbs., one for medium weights, and one for small weights.
The plan of construction of the balances had been modified by Mr.
Joseph Saxton, who had been appointed assistant in the office of
weights and measures in January, 1845. The work on the balances
had been advanced, during the past year, about one-seventh towards
completion, being now about two-fifths done.
Much progress having been made in the preparation and distribu-
tion of standard measures when Professor Bache came into the charge
of the work, he had deemed it necessary to adhere to the methods of
160
Mr. Hassler, and to use the tables founded upon his experiments, for
reductions; otherwise the uniformity of the system would have been
destroyed. During the past year, thirty-four gallon measures had
been adjusted and compared, completing the part of the work relating
to liquid capacity measures. A set of capacity measures had been
adjusted and compared for the Ordnance Department; repeated com-
parisons had been made of the bars used in measuring the base lines
of the coast survey. ‘The results would be found in detail in the re-
port.
Professor Bache then referred to the necessity for action by the dif-
ferent States to distribute standards to the counties, and thus to intro-
duce uniformity in the weights and measures in actual use.
Professor Bache referred in this connexion to the successful effort
of Mr. Saxton to render automatic the Troughton dividing engine im-
ported by the late Mr. Hassler, for the workshop of the Coast Survey.
The performance of this engine had never been satisfactory. Its use
was fatiguing to the operator, and as he governed the action of the
machine, irregularities must result. ‘The length of time required to
divide a circle, permitted great fluctuations of temperature, and the
heat from the body of the workman acted continually as a disturbing
cause. The division being made by a tool governed by hand, the
cutting was necessarily imperfect. By a simple and effective me-
chanism, the engine had been rendered entirely automatic, a wheel
turned by a handle giving motion to all the parts. Thus the screw,
giving motion to the dividing wheel, was made to play regularly;
and as the wheel moved, the cutting tool was raised, and, descending,
traced lines of the requisite length for the subdivisions of five or ten
minutes, quarter and half degrees, degrees, and ten degrees; and
when the circle was completed, was thrown out of gear. The time
of dividing a circle was reduced from more than two days, to less
than two hours.
It had been found that the moveable centre of the machine was im-
perfect; and this defect remedied, it appeared that the cutting of the
teeth upon the dividing wheel was not perfectly uniform. These
smaller irregularities were in the course of correction. Each attempt
to divide a circle upon the engine had been an improvement upon the
preceding one.
Prof. A. D. Bache having resumed the chair,—
Mr. Walker communicated some observations upon the
comet discovered by Captain Hiern in the Gulf of Mexico,
161
upon 11th January. Prof. Kendall and himself commenced ob-
serving it upon the night of 26th January, and continued until
the middle of March. They had made about eight hundred
micrometrical measurements, and the place of the comet had
been compared with about one hundred fixed stars. ‘The ele-
ments calculated by Prof. Encke agreed very closely with those
Prof. K. obtained from these observations. Prof. Encke sug-
gests that this may be the comet announced to appear in 1848.
Messrs. W. and K. had also observed Mauvais’ second comet
on the 18th of January, and on several subsequent evenings,
both with the equatorial and the meridian instruments.
Stated Meeting, May 16.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From Pierre de Angelis, dated Buenos Ayres, 18th Febru-
ary, 1845, relating to an error in the title of a pamphlet by
him: and,—
From Antonio Ladislau Monteiro Baena, announcing a do-
nation by him to the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From November and December, 1844, to March, 1845.
Vol. I. No. 9. 8vo.—From the College.
Biographical Memoirs of John C. Otto, M.D., late Vice-President of
the College of Physicians; read before the College by appoint-
ment, March 4, 1845. By Isaac Parrish, M.D. Philadelphia,
1845. 8vo.—From the same.
Fifty-eighth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York. Read to the Legislature, March 1, 1845.
' Albany, 1845. S8vo.—From the Regents.
162
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. May,
1845. No. 5. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Transactions of the Historical and Literary Committee of the Ame-
rican Philosophical Society. Vol. III. Part I. Philadelphia,
1843. 8vo. ‘Thirty Copies.—From Henry D. Gilpin, Esq.
On the Anthracite and Bituminous Coal Fields in China; the System
of Mining, and the Prices of Coal, and Labour in its Production,
and Transportation to Pekin. By Richard C. Taylor. Phila-
delphia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. IX. May, 1845. No. 5. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M.
Patterson.
A System of Geography, Ancient and Modern. By James Playfair,
D.D., F.R.S., &c. &c. In Six Volumes, with Folio Atlas.
Edinburgh, 1808—1814. to.
An Historical and Chronological Deduction of the Origin of Com-
merce, from the Earliest Accounts. By Adam Anderson. In
Four Volumes. London, 1801. Ato.
[The two last mentioned works were deposited in the So-
ciety’s Library, some years ago, by Charles N. Bancker, Esq.,
who now presents them to the Society. |
On the 19th of February, 1817, the late John G. Biddle,
Esq., deposited in the Library of the Society, several valuable
works, a list of which is recorded in the first volume of our
Transactions, New Series, page 437. These works are now
presented to the Society by Mrs. Mary Biddle, the relict of
the deceased.
The Committee on Mr. Lea’s paper, entitled “ Descriptions
of New Fresh Water and Land Shells,’’ reported in favour of
its publication in the Transactions of the Society, which was
ordered accordingly.
In this paper Mr. Lea observed that he had now added twenty-
three new species to the already long list of the Melanie, his last
paper containing fifty-seven. He also adds six to the interesting
genus Schizostoma, now making ten species in all, and twenty-six to
the family Naiades. He gives an alphabetic list of all the described
species of the genus Melania, making three hundred and eighty in
163
number. In regard to his own species, he says he is aware of the
extreme difficulty of severation, arising from the fact of the existence
of the vast number of species now described, and their consequent
inosculation; but that he has endeavoured, by careful examination, to
satisfy himself that their characteristics were persistent.
The following are descriptions of the new species embraced in this
paper :—
Unio compressissimus. Testa levi, subtriangulari, valdé compressa; val-
vulis crassis; natibus compressis; epidermide . . . 3; dentibus cardinali-
bus parvis, crenulatis; lateralibus magnis, crassis curvisque; margarita alba.
Hab. Holston River, Tenn.—President Estabrook.
Unio pellucidus. Testa levi, obovata, subcompressa, pellucida; valvulis per-
tenuibus; natibus prominulis, ad apices undulatis; epidermide tenebroso-
fusca ; dentibus cardinalibus parvis, compressis erectisque ; lateralibus longis,
rectis lamellatisque ; margarita ceruleo-alba et iridescente. Hab. Chatahoo-
chee River, Geo.—.Major Leconte.
Unio pernodosus. Testa pernodosa, rotundata, subcompressd; valvulis cras-
sis; natibus elevatis; epidermide luteo-fusca ; dentibus cardinalibus magnis ;
lateralibus brevibus, crassis subrectisque ; margarita alba. Hub. North Ca-
rolina.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio atrocostatus. Testa plicata, subquadrata, inflata ; valvulis crassis; na-
tibus prominentibus; epidermide nigra, striata; dentibus cardinalibus mag-
nis; lateralibus sublongis subrectisque; margarita alba et iridescente. Hab.
Claiborne, Ala—Judge Tait. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B.W. Budd, M.D. Alexan-
dria, Louis.—Josiah Hale, M.D.
Unio latecustatus. Testa crebré plicata, elliptica, compress; valvulis cras-
sis; natibus prominulis; epidermide tenebroso-fusca, valdé striata; dentibus
cardinalibus magnis; lateralibus longis subrectisque; margarita alba et valdé
iridescente. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio hippopeus. ‘Testa plicata, elliptica, valde inflata ; valvulis subcrassis ;
natibus prominulis; epidermide luteo-fusca, striata; dentibus cardinalibus
subgrandibus; lateralibus parvis curvisque; margarita alba et iridescente.
Hab. Lake Erie.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio simplex. ‘Testa levi, elliptica, subinflata; valvulis subcrassis; natibus
subprominentibus; epidermide lutea; dentibus cardinalibus parvis; laterali-
bus longis, crassis subrectisque ; margarita alba et iridescente. Hab. Black
Warrior River, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio unicolor. Testa levi, subrotunda, subcompressaé; valvulis crassis; na-
tibus subprominentibus; epidermide fusca; dentibus cardinalibus parvis; la-
teralibus longis subrectisque; margarita alba et iridescente. Hab. Tusca-
loosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio flavescens. Testa levi, elliptica, subinflata; valvulis subtenuibus; nati-
bus subprominentibus; epidermide luteo-cornea, striata; dentibus cardinali-
bus parvis; lateralibus sublongis, subrectisque ; margarita alba et iridescente.
Hab. Black Warrior River, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
164
Unio pallescens. Testa levi, elliptica, valdé inflaté; valvulis suberassis ;
natibus subprominentibus; epidermide pallido-lutea; dentibus cardinalibus
magnis, compressis erectisque ; lateralibus longis curvisque; margarita alba.
Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio utriculus. Testa levi, elliptica, inflata; valvulis subcrassis ; natibus
subprominentibus; epidermide tenebroso-fusca ; dentibus cardinalibus parvis ;
lateralibus longis rectisque ; margarita alba et valdé iridescente. Hab. North
Carolina. B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio spatulatus. Testa levi, elliptici, compressa; valvulis subtenuibus ;
natibus vix prominulis, ad apicem undulatis; epidermide lutea, valdé radiata ;
dentibus cardinalibus parvis; lateralibus longis rectisque ; margarita alba et
iridescente. Hab. Rock River, Wisconsin.—Capt. Marryati and B. W. Budd,
M.D.
Unio tumescens. Testa levi, triangulari, inflata; valvulis percrassis, nati-
bus magnis elevatisque; epidermide tenebroso-fusca, radiata; dentibus cardi-
nalibus parvis; lateralibus brevibus, crassis subcurvisque ; margarita alba et
iridescente. Hab. Alexandria, Louis —J. Hale, M.D.
Unio caperatus. Testa levi, obliqua, compressa; valvulis crassis; natibus
elevatis; epidermide rufo-fusca; dentibus cardinalibus percrassis; lateralibus
longis, a cardinalibus separatis, crassis curvisque; margarita alba. Hab.
Clinch River, Tenn.—President Estabrook.
Unio fulgidus. Testa levi, triangulari, inflata; valvulis crassis; natibus
magnis elevatisque ; epidermide tenebroso-fusca, polita, radiata; dentibus car-
dinalibus parvis; lateralibus crassis rectisque; margarita alba et iridescente.
Hab. Alexandria, Louis.—J. Hale, M.D.
Unio pulvinulus. Testa levi, elliptica, inflata; valvulis crassis; natibus
prominentibus ; epidermide tenebroso-fusca ; dentibus cardinalibus minutissi-
mis; lateralibus brevis rectisque ; margarita alba et iridescente. Hab. Tus-
caloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Unio hyalinus. Testa levi, obovata, subinflata, diaphana; valvulis perte-
nuibus; natibus prominulis, ad apices undulatis; epidermide tenebroso-fusea ;
dentibus cardinalibus parvis, compressis; lateralibus longis rectisque; mar-
garita ceruleo-alba et iridescente. Hab. Richmond, Va.—Major Leconte.
Unio Estabrookianus. Testa levi, triangulari, valdé compressa; valvulis
crassis; natibus prominulis, compressis, ad apices undulatis; epidermide valdé
striata, luteo-fusc4, nitida; dentibus cardinalibus compressis; lateralibus bre-
vis crassisque ; margarita alba et iridescente. Hab. Clinch River and Second
Creek, Tenn.—President Estabrook.
Unio approximus. Testa levi, elliptic’, inflata; valvulis subcrassis; nati-
bus prominulis; epidermide lutea, radiata; dentibus cardinalibus parvis, ac-
cuminatis; lateralibus longis subrectisque; margarita alba et iridescente.
Hab. Red River at Alexandria, Lou.—J. Hale, M.D.
Unio symmetricus. Testa levi, oblonga, subcompressa , valvulis subcrassis ;
natibus subprominentibus; epidermide tenebroso-fusca ; dentibus cardinalibus
compressis, elevatis, acuminatis; lateralibus longis lamellatisque; margarita
alba. Hab. Red River at Alexandria, Lou.—J. Hale, M.D.
Unio fuliginosus. Testa levi, transversa, subcompressa ; valvulis subcras-
sis; natibus prominulis; epidermide tenebroso-fusca; dentibus cardinalibus
165
parvis; lateralibus longis curvisque; margarita vel alba vel purpurea. Hab.
Cobb's Creek, near Philadelphia.—R. E. Griffith, M.D.
Unio caliginosus. Testa levi, elliptica, subcompressa; valvulis subtenui-
bus; natibus prominulis ad apicem undulatis; epidermide tenebroso-fusea ;
dentibus cardinalibus compressis, elevatis; lateralibus longis subeurvisque ;
margarita alba et iridescente. Hab. Red River, at Alexandria, Louisiana.
J. Hale, M.D.
Unio Binneyi. Testa levi, elliptica, valdé compressa, striata; valvulis sub-
tenuibus; natibus prominulis; epidermide tenebroso-fusca, nitida; dentibus
cardinalibus parvis, compressis; lateralibus perlongis subcurvisque ; margari-
ta ceruleo-alba et iridescente. Hab. Southern States.—R. E. Griffith, M.D.
Unio Gouldit. Testa levi, elliptica, subinflata, inequilaterali; valvulis
subcrassis; natibus prominulis; epidermide tenebroso-fusca ; dentibus cardi-
nalibus parvis, subcrassis; lateralibus longis curvisque; margarita subaurea
et valdé iridescente. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—R. E. Griffith, M.D.
Margaritana minor. Testa levi, triangulari, compressa; valvulis tenuibus;
natibus prominulis, ad apices undulatis; epidermide virido-lutea ; dentibus
cardinalibus parvis; margarita ceruleo-alba et iridescente Hal. 'Tennes-
see.—S. M. Edgur, M.D. North Carolina —B. W. Budd, M.D.
Anodonta tetragona. Testa levi, oblonga, valdé inflata; valvulis tenuibus ;
natibus prominulis; epidermide luteo-fusca, radiata ; margarita ceruleo-alba
et iridescente. Hab. Alexandria, Lou.—QJ. Hale, M.D.
Melania Buddit. Testa striata, cylindraceé, subtenui, cornea; spira at-
tenuata; suturis impressis; anfractibus planulatis; apertura parva, elliptica,
intus albida. Hab. Tennessee.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melania torta. Testa levi, claviformi, subcrassd, tenebroso-fusca; spira
obtusa; suturis impressis; anfractibus convexis; apertura grandi, elliptica ;
columella torta. Hab. Big Creek, Lawrence County, Tenn.—QJ. Clark.
Melania pernodosa. Testa tuberculata, conoidea, subcrasssa, cornea, infer-
né striata; spira elevata, ad apicem costata; suturis undulatis ; anfractibus
octonis, planulatis, pernodosis ; apertura parva, ad basim angulata et canalicu-
lata, intus albida. Hab. Cyprus Creek, Florence, Ala.—T. R. Dutton.
Melania filum. Testa carinata, conoided, subtenui, tenebroso-cornea;
spira elevata ; suturis impressis ; anfractibus planulatis, in medio carinatus;
apertura parva, rhomboidea; ad basim angulata, intus albida; columella torta.
Hab. Alabama.—.Major Leconte.
Melania nobilis. Testa tuberculata, conoidei, subcrassa, luteo-cornea;
spira elevata ; suturis irregulariter undulatis; anfractibus planulatis, in me-
dio tuberculatis; apertura subgrandi, producta, ad basim angulata et canali-
culata, intus lutea; columella torta. Hab. Alabama.—Major Leconte.
Melania carino-costata. Testa plicata, carinata conoidea, subtenui, vel lutea
vel castanea; spira subelevata; suturis sulcatis; anfractibus planulatis ;
apertura parva, elliptica; columella levi. Hab. Alabama.—Major Leconte.
Tennessee.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melania abrupta. Testa levi, abbreviato-conoidea, subcrassa, lutea; spira
abbreviata; suturis linearibus; anfractibus septenis, planulatis; apertura
magna, ovata, intus albida, Hab. Alabama.—Major Leconte.
VOL. 1V.—Y
rns 166
Melania pallescens. Testa carinata, subacuto-conoidea, subtenui, luted; spira
subelevata; suturis impressis; anfractibus novenis, subconvexis; apertura
parva, ovata, ad basim angulata, intus albida. Hab. Chester District, S. C.
Prof. Vanuxem.
Melania lugubris. ‘Testa levi, subacuto-conoideé, subcrassa, tenebroso-
fusca; spira subelevata; suturis laté impressis; anfractibus planulatis; aper-
tura parva ; rhomboidea, intus cerulea, inferné angulata. Hab. Alabama.
Major Leconte. !
Melania spinalis. ‘Testa carinata, acuto-conoidea, subtenui, lutea, bifascia-
ti; spira elevata; suturis exaratis; anfractibus planulatis; apertura parva,
ovata, ad basim angulata, intus albida. Hab. Alabama.—Major Leconte.
Melania spurca. Testa levi, pyramidata, subcrassa, tenebroso-fusca ; spi-
ra subelevata; suturis subimpressis; anfractibus octonis, planulatis; apertura
parva, rhomboidea, ad basim angulata, intus albida. Hab. Alabama.—Major
Leconte.
Melaniaharpa. Testastriata, conoidea, subcrassa, cornea; spira subelevata;
suturis subimpressis; anfractibus subconvexis; apertura parva, elliptica, ad
basim angulata, intus albida. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melania basalis. Testa levi, elliptica, subcrassa, luteo-viridi, fasciata; spira
curta, obtusa; suturis impressis; anfractibus convexis; apertura ovato-elon-
gata, ad basim acuto-angulata, intus albida. Hab. Alabama.—Major Le-
conte.
Melania auriculeformis. Testa levi, elliptica, subtenui, luted; spira de-
pressa; suturis impressis; anfractibus senis, subconvexis; apertura elongata,
contracta, ad basim rotundata, intus albida. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W.
Budd, M.D.
Melania pumila. Testa levi, obtuso-conoidea, subcrassa, tenebroso-cornea ;
spira depressa; suturis valdé impressis; anfractis subconvexis; apertura elon-
gata, contracta, ad basim contorta, intus albida. Hab. ‘Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B.
W. Budd, M.D.
Melania protea. Testa levi, subcylindracea, crassa, pupeformis, luteo-cor-
nea; spira elevata; suturis impressis; anfractibus septenis, subconvexis;
apertura parva, rhomboidea, ad basim angulata, intus albida. Hab. Tusca-
loosa, Ala. —B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melunia arctata. Testa striata, coarctata, crassa, luteo-cornea; spiri cono-
idea; suturis valdé impressis; anfractibus senis, planulatis; apertura parva,
rhomboidea, intus albida. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melania solida. ‘Testa levi, obtuso-conica, crassa, solidi, tenebroso-cornea ;
spira subbrevi; suturis valdé impressis ; anfractibus convexis; apertura parva,
rhomboidea, ad basim contorta, intus alba; columella inflecta. Hab. Ten-
nessee.—LH. Foreman, M.D.
Melania crebristriata. Testa transversé et crebrissimé striata, subfusiformi,
crassa, luteo-cornea ; spira obtusa, suturis impressis; anfractibus subconvexis;
apertura parva, subovat4, ad basim angulata, intus albida; columella inflecta,
superné incrassata. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Melania modesta. ‘Testa levi, conoided, subfusiformi, subtenui, nigra; spira
subelevata; suturis linearibus; anfractibus planulatis, ultimo in medio angu-
167
lato; apertura elliptica, subgrandi, intus tenebros’. Hab. Chatahoochee
River, at Columbus, Geo. Dr. Boykin.
Melania Haleiana. Testa levi, acuto-conoidea, subtenui, luteo-cornea, po-
lita; spirad elevaté; suturis impressis; anfractibus novenis, convexis; aper-
turaé parva, ovata, ad basim subangulata, intus albida. Hab. Alexandria, Lou.
J. Hale, M.D.
Melania Alexandrensis. Testa levi, subacuto-conoidea, subtenui, tenebroso-
cornea; spira subelevata; suturis subimpressis; anfractibus subplanulatis ;
apertura parva, subtrapezoided, intus albida. Hub. Alexandria, Lou.—J.
Hale, M.D.
Melania ovoidea. Testa levi, ellipticé, subcrassA, cornei; spira brevi; su-
turis vix impressis; anfractibus senis, subconvexis; apertura magna, subovata,
intus albida. Hab. Alexandria, Lou. —QJ. Hale, M.D.
Anculosa squalida. Testa levi, vel rotunda vel elliptic, percrassa, tene-
broso-cornea; spira obtusa; suturis vix impressis; apertura magna, subro-
tunda, intus albida; columella percrassi. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W.
Budd, M.D.
Anculosa tintinnabulum. Testa levi, obtuso-conica, campanulata, fasciata,
percrassa, lutea; spira brevi; suturis impressis; anfractibus quinis, impressis;
apertura rotunda, subgrandi; columella percrassa, superné callosa. Hab.
Tennessee.—E. Foreman, M.D. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma pagoda. Testa carinata, conica, subcrassa, tenebroso-cornea ;
spira subobtusa; suturis valdé impressis; anfractibus senis; fissura parva;
apertura elliptica, intus albida; columella levi. Hab. ‘Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B.
W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma Buddiit. Testa striata, subfusiformi, crassa, tenebroso-cornea ;
spira obtuso-conicé ; suturis irregulariter impressis; anfractibus senis, subin-
flatis; fissura parva, obliqua; apertura magna, rhomboidea, intus albida; colu-
mella superné callosa. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma Babylonicum. 'Testa striata, subfusiformi, subcrassa, castanea ;
spira obtuso-conicaé; suturis impressis; anfractibus planulatis; fissura parva ;
apertura magna, elliptica, intus subcornea; columella levi, ad basim angu-
lata, superné incrassata. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma constrictum. Testa levi, subfusiformi, subtenui, luteo-cornea ;
spiré obtusa; suturis impressis; anfractibus coarctatis; fissura submagna, sub-
obliqua; apertura magna, elliptica, intus albida; columella levi, ad basim
subangulata. Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma laciniatum. Testa levi, obtuso-conica, subcrassa, fasciata, luteo-
corned; spira obtusa, suturis exaratis; anfractibus convexis; fissura pro-
funda; apertura elliptica, intus albida; columella levi, superné incrassata.
Hab. Tuscaloosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Schizostoma funiculatum. Testa striata, elliptica, subcrassa, castanea ; spira
obtusa ; suturis valdé impressis; anfractibus convexis; fissura submagna, ob-
liqua ; apertura magn4, elliptica; columella superné callosa. Hab. Tusca-
loosa, Ala.—B. W. Budd, M.D.
Paludina Haleiana. Testa levi, ventricoso-conoidea, subtenui, rufo-cornea,
imperforata ; spira brevi; suturis valdé impressis; anfractibus quaternis, sub-
168
convexis; apertura magna, subrotundata, cerulea. Hab. Alexandria, Lou.—
J. Hale, M.D.
Qn motion of Prof. Frazer, Prof. Haldeman was authorized
to withdraw his paper, entitled, “Observations on General
Phonology and Alphabetical Notation, &c.”’ read to the So-
ciety 1st November, 1844; and the Committee thereon was
discharged.
The death of Mr. John Guillemand, of Oxford, a member of
this Society, was announced.
Major Bache laid on the table, for examination by the mem-
bers, a map of Sandy Hook, received by him, during the
course of the last winter, from Professor Bache, superintendent
of the Coast Survey, exhibiting the increase of that headland
from the earliest surveys.
The first survey is by Lieut. John Hill, in 1778. The next was
made in 1779, by Des Barres, a name of high authority. ‘Then fol-
lows the survey of Capt. John Le Conte, U. S. Assistant Topographi-
cal Engineer, of 1819, which is succeeded by that of the Coast Sur-
vey of 1836. The survey next in order of time, is that executed by
himself in 1842; and finally, a second survey by the Coast Survey,
made in 1844. A comparison of the shore lines of these surveys,
omitting Hill’s survey, which, from the absence of a general resem-
blance found between all those of a subsequent date, is not considered
accurate, shows a great increase of that headland northerly. This
increase, measured between parallels of latitude, is as follows:—
From 1779 to 1819, 40 years, 540 feet, or 13.5 feet per year.
From 1819 to 1836, 17 years, 1150 feet, or 67.6 feet per year.
From 1836 to 1842, 6 years, 630 feet, or 105 feet per year.
From 1842 to 1844, 2 years, 200 feet, or 100 feet per year.
Besides this northerly elongation, the increase in elevation will, on
an examination of the soundings at the point of the Hook, appear
quite as remarkable. While the Coast Survey of 1836 gives depths
of 40 and 102 feet at low water, his survey of 1842, and the Coast
Survey of 1844, show fast land at the same points respectively. It
would likewise appear by a comparison of the best surveys, that
while Sandy Hook is thus making out, Flynn’s Knoll, on the other
side of the main ship channel, stands fast; thus contracting the width
169
of the channel, the depth of which does not seem to have materially
changed.
The cause of the extraordinary increase at the extremity of this
headland, is attributed by some to the general prevalence of the south-
east winds on that part of the coast. It is supposed that these winds,
striking the shore obliquely in the direction of the point of the Hook,
carry up the slope the sand, which, returning by gravitation on the
shortest line to the sea, is again thrown up; and thus, by successive
efforts, is deposited at the point in question. If this be the true ex-
planation of the increase, it is fair to conclude, as the materials are
furnished from the sea along the shore line, which here trends for
many miles in the same direction, that, whenever this line is cut
across, as it is at times by the opening of Shrewsbury Inlet, this in-
crease would be correspondingly diminished; the deposit being made
at the Inlet of the particles, which would otherwise be carried forward
to the extremity of the Hook. On the other hand, it is not unreason-
able to suppose that the Shrewsbury River, when open directly to the
sea, is itself a fruitful source, under the operation just explained, from
which the deposit is derived. The truth or error of either of these
opinions, or of the theory of the progress of the sands northerly, un-
der the influence of the south-east winds, can probably only be proved
by frequent surveys showing the increase, in connexion with exact
records of the time of the opening and shutting of the inlet in ques-
ton.
The Treasurer laid before the Society an account presented
by Mr. Frederick Brown, on the part of the executors of the
late Mr. Dunn, which, on motion, was referred to a Commit-
tee, consisting of Mr. Thos. I. Wharton, Mr. Williams; and
Mr. Kane, to report thereon.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the request of Mr. Wilde, that
a plaster cast might be made from the Society’s bust of Frank-
lin, by Houdon, was granted, with the understanding that it
should be done in the Society’s Hall, under the inspection of
the Librarian.
170
Stated Meeting, June 20.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From Richard Owen, dated London, 18th March, 1845, ac-
knowledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member
of this Society :—
From the Geological Society of London, dated May Ist,
1845, acknowledging the receipt of a donation from the So-
ciety :—
From the Regents of the University of New York, dated
Albany, 6th June, 1845, acknowledging the receipt of dona-
tions from the Society :—
From the New York Historical Society, dated New York,
June 1845, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of
this Society :—
From the First Class of the Royal Society of Sciences of
Holland, dated Amsterdam, 22d March, 1843, acknowledging
the receipt of the Transactions of this Society, and announcing
a donation: —
From the same Society, dated Amsterdam, 31st March,
1844, acknowledging the receipt of Transactions and Proceed-
ings of this Society, and announcing a donation: and,—
From Lieut. Charles Wilkes, U.S. N., dated Philadelphia,
23d May, 1845, announcing a donation to the Society.
Mr. Kane announced that a letter had been received by Dr.
Dunglison, from Prof. Van Raumer, acknowledging the receipt
of notice of his election. Dr. D.’s sickness prevented him
from reading it to the Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XIU. Part Il. 1844. 8vo. Vol. XIV. Part IJ. 1844. 8vo.—
From the Society.
171
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisiéme Série. Tome I.
Paris, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-
Nederlandsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en
Schoonekunsten te Amsterdam. ‘Tiende Deel. In Three Parts.
Amsterdam, 1844. 4to.—From the Reyal Netherlands Insti-
tute.
Het Instituut, of Verslagen en Mededeelingen, uitgegevin door de
Vier Klassen van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche Instituut van
Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoonekunsten. Over den -
jare, 1841, 4 numbers: over den jare, 1842, 4 numbers: over
den jare, 1848, 4 numbers: and Nos. 1 and 2 of 1844. 8vo.—
From the same.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. June,
1845. No. 6. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Introductory Address of the Hon. R. J. Walker, delivered before the
National Institute, at its April Meeting, 1844. Washington,
1845. 8vo.—From the Institute.
The Twenty-ninth Report of the Directors of the American Asylum,
at Hartford, for the Education and Instruction of the Deaf and
Dumb. Hartford, 1845. 8vo.—From the Directors.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third —
Series. Vol. IX. June, 1845. No. 6. 8vo.—From Dr. Pat-
terson.
Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during the
Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842. By Charles Wilkes, U.
S. N., Commander of the Expedition, Member of the American
Philosophical Society, &c. In Five Volumes, and an Atlas.
Philadelphia. Lea & Blanchard, 1845. 4to.—From ihe Au-
thor.
Ornithological Biography, or an Account of the Habits of the Birds
of the United States of America; accompanied by Descriptions of
the Objects represented in the Work, entitled ‘‘ Birds of America.”
By John James Audubon, F.R.SS. L. and E., &c. &e. Vol. IV.
Edinburgh, 1838. 8vo.—From the Author.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. I. No. 8. April, 1845. London. 8vo.—From the Edi-
tor.
The Zoologist: a Popular Monthly Magazine of Natural History.
172
Nos. 27 and 28. March, April, 1845. 8yo.—From Edward
Newman, Esq., Editor.
The Phytologist : a Botanical Journal. No. XLVII. April, 1845.
London. 8vo.—From the same.
On the Genus Sigillaria: Contributions towards establishing the Ge-
neral Characters of the Fossil Plants of the Genus Sigillaria. By
William King, Esq. From the Edinburgh New Philosophical
Journal, for January, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Discurso dirigido ao Instituto Historico e Geografico do Brasil pelo
seu Socio Correspondente Antonio Ladislau Monteiro Baena.
Maranhao, Anno, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Report of Experiments on Gunpowder, made at Washington Arsenal
in 1843 and 1844. By Captain Alfred Mordecai, of the Ord-
nance Department. Washington, 1845. 8vo.—From Major
Hartman Bache.
Etudes sur les Echinides, par M. Charles des Moulins. Premiére
Partie. Etudes Générales, renfermant Trois Mémoires. Bor-
deaux, 1835, 1837. 8vo.—From Isaac Lea, Esq.
A Catalogue of the Generic and Sub-Generic Types of the Class
Aves—Birds. Newcastle (England), 1840. 8vo.—From the
same.
Report of the Natural History Society of the Counties of Northum-
berland, Durham, and Newcastle upon Tyne, for the Year end-
ing August 1, 1838. 8vo.—From the same.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. June, 1845. No. 30.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Interference of the Executive in the Affairs of Rhode Island. 28th
Congress, Ist Session, House of Representatives, No. 546.—
From Joseph R. Ingersoll, Esq.
Message of the President of the United States to the Two Houses of
Congress, at the Commencement of the Second Session of the
28th Congress, Dec. 3, 1844.—From the same.
Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents, for the Year 1844.
House of Representatives, No. 78.—From the same.
Commerce and Trade: Letter from the Secretary of State, transmit-
ting Returns of the Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United
States, at the several Ports abroad, containing Information in re-
gard to the Amount and Description of Commerce and Trade be-
tween the United States and Foreign Countries, é&c. March 3,
1845.—From the same.
173
Map of Texas and the Country adjacent. Compiled, from the best
authorities for the State Department, under the direction of Col.
J. J. Abert, by W. H. Emory. War Department, 1844.—From
the same.
Coast Survey: an Article from the Biblical Repertory and Princeton
Review, for April, 1845.—From Professor Henry.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 581 to 587, inclusive. April 1,
to May 24, 1845. Ato.
Niles’ National Register. From Sept. 18438, to March, 1844. Vol.
65. From March, 1844, to Sept. 1844. Vol. 66. From Sept.
1844, to March, 1845. Vol. 67. Folio.
Dr. Horner read an obituary notice of Dr. Wm. S. Jacobs,
lately a member of this Society.
On motion, Mr. Kane was excused from the duty of pre
paring an obituary notice of the late Judge Baldwin.
Mr. Ord announced the death of Prof. J. Gummere, on 31st
May, 1845, in the 62d year of his age.
On motion of Mr. Kane, Dr. Patterson was appointed to pre-
pare an obituary notice of Prof. Gummere.
Dr. Patterson exhibited to the Society a curious coin, found
in a marl pit in New Jersey, twenty feet below the surface;
which is a counterfeit of a Belgian coin of 1648.
Dr. Patterson also exhibited a mass of nails melted together
at the fire in Pittsburg, presenting a series of united tubes.
Prof. Henry stated that he had received a similar mass from
the New York fire, and found that the action of the fire had
changed the nails to a certain depth, leaving a core unchanged,
which had afterwards fallen or been drawn out, leaving the hol-
low tubes.
Prof. Henry, of Princeton, made a verbal communication of
a series of experiments made by himself and Prof. Alexander
relative to the spots on the sun.
His attention was directed to this subject, by an article in the Sep-
tember number of the Annales de Chimie, by M. Gautier, upon the
influence of the spots on the sun on terrestrial temperature. It is
well known that Sir William Herschel entertained the idea, that the
VOL. IV.—Z
174
appearance of solar spots was connected with a more copious emis-
sion of heat, and that the seasons during which they were most abun-
dant, were most fruitful in vegetable productions; and, pursuing this
idea, he was led to trace an analogy between the price of corn and
the number of solar spots, during several successive periods. The
result of this. investigation, so far as it was extended, seemed to fa-
vour the views of this distinguished philosopher. A mode of in-
vestigation of this kind, however, is not susceptible of any great de-
gree of accuracy ; the price of corn is subject to so many other causes
of variation besides that of solar temperature, that little reliance can
be placed on it.
M. Gautier has attempted to investigate the influence of the solar
spots on terrestrial temperature, by comparing the temperature of
several places on the earth’s surface, during the years in which the
spots were most abundant, with those in which the smallest number
were perceptible. From all the observations collected, it seems to be
indicated, that during the years in which the spots were the greatest
in number, the heat has been a trifle Jess; but the results are far
from being sufficiently definite to settle the question: and M. Gautier
remarks, that a greater number of years of observation at a greater
number of stations, will be necessary to establish a permanent con-
nexion between these phenomena.
The idea occurred to Prof. Henry, that much interesting informa-
tion relative to the sun might be derived from the application of a
thermo-electric apparatus to a picture of the solar disc, produced by
a telescope, on a screen, in a dark room. ‘This idea was communi-
cated to Prof. Alexander, who readily joined in the plan for reducing
it to practice. It was agreed, that they should first attempt to settle
the question of the relative heat of the spots as compared with the
surrounding luminous portions of the sun’s disc. The first experi-
ments were made on the 4th of January, 1845. Mr. Alexander had
observed, a few days previous, a very large spot, more than 10,000
miles in diameter, near the middle of the disc. To produce the image
of this spot, a telescope of four inches aperture, and four and a half
feet focus, was placed in the window of a dark room, with a screen
behind it, on which the image of the spot was received. The instru-
ment was placed behind the screen, with the end slightly projecting
through a hole made for the purpose, and a small motion of the teles-
cope was sufficient to throw the image of the spot off or on the end of
the pile. The spot was very clearly defined, and might have been
175
readily daguerreotyped, had the telescope been furnished with an
equatorial movement. The form of the penumbra of the spot, as it
appeared on the screen, was that of an irregular oblong, about two
inches in one direction, and an inch and a half in the other. The
dark central spot within the penumbra was nearly square, of about
three-fourths of an inch on the side, and a little larger than the end
of the thermo-pile.
The method of observation consisted in first placing, for example,
a portion of the picture of the luminous surface of the sun in con-
nexion with the face of the pile, and after noting the indication of the
needle of the galvanometer, the telescope was then slightly moved, so
as to place the dark part of the spot directly on the face of the pile,
the indication of the needle being again noted. In the next set of
experiments the order was reversed; the picture of the spot at the be-
ginning of the experiment was placed in connexion with the pile, and
afterward a new part of the Juminous portion of the disc was made to
occupy the same place.
The thermo-electrical apparatus used in these experiments, was
made by Ruhmkorff, of Paris; and in order to render the galvano-
meter more sensitive, two bar magnets, arranged in the form of the
legs of a pair of dividers, were placed with the opening downwards,
in a vertical plane, above the needle, so that, by increasing or dimi-
nishing the angle, the directive power ef the needle could be increased
or diminished, and, consequently, the sensibility of the instrument
could be varied, and the zero point changed at pleasure.
In the present experiments, in order to mark more definitely the
difference in temperature, after the needle had been deflected by the
heat of the sun, the magnetic bars above mentioned were so arranged,
as to repel it back to near the zero point, so that it might, in this po-
sition, receive the maximum effect of any variation in the electrical
current.
Twelve sets of observations were made on the first day, all of
which, except one, gave the same indication, namely, that the spot
emitted less heat than the surrounding parts of the luminous disc.
The following is a copy of the record made at the time of the obser-
vations. The degrees are those marked on the card of the galvano-
meter, and are of course arbitrary.
Spot, 3°2. Sun, 5°.
Sun, 4°3. Spot, 4°.
176
Sun, 3°. Spot, 4°s.
Spot, 1°3. Sun, 5°.
Spot, 2°. Sun, 4°3.
Sun, 3°. Spot, 3°#.
Sun, 2°. Sun, 2°.
Spot, 2°. Spot, 3°2.*
Spot, 2°. Spot, 0°.
Sun, 2°3. Sun, 2°3.
Spot, 4°3. Sun, 1°23.
Sun, 5°. Spot, 0°.
The change in the temperature during the intervals of observation,
is due to the variations in the temperature of the room differently af-
fecting the two extremities of the pile.
In consequence of cloudy weather, another set of observations were
not obtained until the 10th of January, and at this time the spot had
very much changed its appearance; the penumbra, while it retained
its dimensions in one direction, was much narrowed in the cther, and
the dark part was separated into two small ones; also the sky was
not perfectly clear, and therefore the results were not as satisfactory
as those of the previous observations; the indications were, however,
the same as in the other sets, exhibiting a less degree of heat from
the spots.
Cloudy weather prevented other observations on the heat of dif-
ferent parts of the sun, particularly a comparison between the tempe-
rature of the centre and the circumference of the disc, which would
have an important bearing on the question of an atmo.sphere of the
sun. The observations will be continued, and any results of interest
which may be obtained, will be communicated to the Society.
Professor Henry also gave an account of some observations
he had made on capillarity, in addition to those he had before
communicated to the Society on the same subject.
In 1839, he presented the results of some experiments on the per-
meability of lead to mercury; and subsequent observation had led
him to believe that the same property was possessed by other metals
in reference to each other. His first attempt to verify this conjecture
* At this observation a slight cloud probably passed over the sun’s disc.
177
was made with the assistance of Dr. Patterson, at the United States
Mint. For this purpose, a small globule of gold was placed on a
plate of sheet iron, and submitted to the heat of an assaying furnace ;
but the experiment was unsuccessful; for, although the gold was
heated much above its melting point, it exhibited no signs of sinking
into the pores of the iron. The idea afterward suggested itself, that
a different result would have been obtained had the two metals been
made to adhere previous to heating, so that no oxide could have been
formed between the surfaces. In accordance with this view, Prof.
Hi. inquired of Mr. Cornelius, of Philadelphia, if, in the course of his
experience in working silver-plated copper, in his extensive manufac-
tory of lamps, he had ever observed the silver to disappear from the
copper when the metal was heated. ‘The answer was, that the silver
always disappears when the plate is heated above a certain tempera-
ture, leaving a surface of copper exposed; and that it was generally
believed by the workmen, that the silver evaporates at this tempera-
ture.
Professor H. suggested that the silver, instead of evaporating,
merely sunk into the pores of the copper, and that by carefully re-
moving the surface of the latter by the action of an acid, the silver
would reappear. To verify this by experiment, Mr. Cornelius heated
one end of a piece of thick plated copper to nearly the melting point
of the metal; the silver at this end disappeared, and when the metal
was cleaned by a solution of dilute sulphuric acid, the end which had
been heated presented a uniform surface of copper, whilst the other
end exhibited its proper coating of silver. The unsilvered end of the
plate was next placed, for a few minutes, in a solution of muriate of
zinc, by which the exterior surface of copper was removed, and the
surface of silver was again exposed. ‘This method of recovering the
silver before the process of plating silver by galvanism came into use,
would have been of much value to manufacturers of plated ware,
since it often happened that valuable articles were spoiled, in the pro-
cess of soldering, by heating them to the degree at which silver dis-
appears.
It is well known to the jeweller, that articles of copper, plated with
gold, lose their brilliancy after a time, and that this can be restored
by boiling them in ammonia; this effect is probably produced by the
ammonia acting on the copper, and dissolving off its surface, so as to
expose the gold, which, by diffusion, has entered into the copper.
A slow diffusion of one metal through another probably takes place
178
in cases of alloys. Silver coins, after having lain long in the earth,
have been found covered with a salt of copper. This may be ex-
plained by supposing that the alloy of copper, at the surface of the
coin, enters into combination with the carbonic acid of the soil, and
being thus removed, its place is supplied by a diffusion from within;
and in this way it is not improbable that a considerable portion of the
alloy may be exhausted in the process of time, and the purity of the
coin be considerably increased.
Perhaps, also, the phenomenon of what is called segregation, or
the formation of nodules of flint in masses of carbonated lime, and of
indurated marl in beds of clay, may be explained on the same prin-
ciple. In breaking up these masses, it is almost always observed,
that a piece of shell or some extraneous matter occupies the middle,
and probably formed the nucleus, around which the matter was accu-
mulated by attraction. The difficulty consists in explaining how the
attraction of cohesion, which becomes insensible at sensible distances,
should produce this effect. ‘To explain this, let us suppose two sub-
stances uniformly diffused through each other by a slight mutual at-
traction, as in the case of a lump of sugar dissolved in a large quan-
tity of water, every particle of the water will attract to itself its pro-
portion of the sugar, and the whole will be in a state of equilibrium.
If the diffusion at its commencement had been assisted by heat, and
this cause of the separation of the homogeneous particles no longer
existed, the diffusion might be one of unstable equilibrium; and the
slightest extraneous force, such as the attraction of a minute piece of
shell, might serve to disturb the quiescence, and draw to itself the
diffused particles which were immediately contiguous to it. This
would leave a vacuum of the atoms around the attracting mass: for
example, as in the case of the sugar, there would be a portion of the
water around the nucleus deprived of the sugar; this portion of the
water would attract its portion of sugar from the layer without, and
into this layer the sugar from the layer next without would be dif-
fused, and so on until, through all the water, the remaining sugar
would be uniformly diffused. ‘The process would continue to be re-
peated, by the nucleus again attracting a portion of the sugar from
the water immediately around it, and so on until a considerable accu-
mulation would be formed around the foreign substance.
We can in this way conceive of the manner by which the molecu-
lar action, which is insensible at perceptible distances, may produce
results which would appear to be the effect of attraction acting at a
distance.
179
Professor Henry also made a communication relative to a
simple method of protecting from lightning, buildings covered
with metallie roofs.
On the principle of electrical induction, houses thus covered are
evidently more liable to be struck than those furnished either with
shingle or tile. Fortunately, however, they admit of very simple
means of perfect protection. It is evident, from well established prin-
ciples of electrical action, that if the outside of a house were encased
entirely in a coating of metal, the most violent discharge which might
fall upon it from the clouds would pass silently to the earth without
damaging the house, or endangering the inmates. It is also evident,
that if the house be merely covered with a roof of metal, without pro-
jecting chimneys, and this roof were put in metallic connexion with
the ground, the building would be perfectly protected. To make a
protection, therefore, of this kind, the Professor advises that the me-
tallic roof be placed in connexion with the ground, by means of the
tin or copper gutters which serve to lead the water from the roof to
the earth. For this purpose, it is sufficient to solder to the lower end
of the gutter a riband of sheet copper, two or three inches wide, sur-
rounding it with charcoal, and continuing it out from the house until
it terminates in moist ground. The upper ends of these gutters are
generally soldered to the roof; but if they are not in metallic contact,
the two should be joined by a slip of sheet copper. The only part of
the house unprotected by this arrangement will be the chimneys; and
in order to secure these, it will only be necessary to erect a short rod
against the chimney, soldered at its lower end to the metal of the
roof, and extending fifteen or twenty inches above the top of the
flue.
Considerable discussion in late years has taken place in reference
to the transmission of electricity along a conductor; whether it passes
through the whole capacity of the rod, or is principally confined to
the surface. From a series of experiments presented to the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society, by Professor Henry, on this subject, it ap-
pears that the electrical discharge passes, or tends to pass, principally
at the surface; and as an ordinary sized house is commonly fur-
nished with from two to four perpendicular gutters (generally two in
front and two in the rear), the surface of these will be sufficient to
conduct, silently, the most violent discharge which may fall from the
clouds.
Professor Henry also stated, that he had lately examined a house
180
struck by lightning, which exhibited some eflects of an interesting
kind. ‘The lightning struck the top of the chimney, passed down the
interior of the flue to a point opposite a mass of iron placed on the
floor of the garret, where it pierced the chimney; thence it passed
explosively, breaking the, plaster, into a bedroom below, where it
came in contact with a copper bell-wire, and passed along this hori-
zontally and silently for about six feet; thence it leaped explosively
through the air a distance of about ten feet, through a dormer win-
dow, breaking the sash, and scattermg the fragments across the
street. It was evidently attracted to this point by the upper end of a
perpendicular gutter, which was near the window. It passed silently
down the gutter, exhibiting scarcely any mark of its passage until it
arrived at the termination, about a foot from the ground. Here again
an explosion appeared to have taken place, since the windows of the
cellar were broken. A bed, in which a man was sleeping at the
time, was situated against the wall, immediately under the bell-wire ;
and although his body was parallel to the wire, and not distant from
it more than four feet, he was not only uninjured, but not sensibly
affected. The size of the hole in the chimney, and the fact that the
lightning passed along the copper wire without melting it, show that
the discharge was a small one, and yet the mechanical effects, in
breaking the plaster, and projecting the window frame across the
street, were astonishingly great.
These effects the Professor attributes to a sudden repulsive energy,
or expansive force developed in the air along the path of the dis-
charge. Indeed, he conceives that most of the mechanical effects
which are often witnessed in cases of buildings struck by lightning,
may be referred to the same cause. In the case of a house struck
within a:few miles of Princeton, the discharge entered the chimney,
burst open the flue, and passed along the cockloft to the other end of
the house; and such was the explosive force in this confined space,
that nearly the whole roof was blown off. This effect was, in all
probability, due to the same cause which suddenly expands the air in
the experiment with Kinnersly’s electrical air thermometer.
Dr. Patterson stated, that Mr. Jefferson was of the opinion
that metal roofs protected buildings, not from being struck, but
from the danger of the stroke; the contrary opinion is gene-
rally held, but Prof. Henry’s experiments show that Mr. Jef-
ferson was correct. Dr. P. saw the lightning strike a row of
dormitories with metal roofs, at the University of Virginia:
18]
the flash was very severe, but produced no evil effect; the
lightning had spread itself over the surface, and left its mark
at each interruption of the conductor, but did no damage. It
was said at the University, that the Rotunda had been fre-
quently struck without injury.
Mr. Fraley, on behalf of the Committee appointed to adjust
the claim of Mr. Wm. D. Lewis, reported that the proposed ar-
rangement had been made, and the bonds of the Society deli-
vered and cancelled.
Dr. Patterson presented to the Society an application from
the chairman of a joint committee of the City Councils and the
County Board, for the purchase of the Society’s property,
which was referred to a special Committee, consisting of Dr.
Patterson, Mr. Fraley, and Mr. Coles, to report thereon.
On motion of Dr. Horner, the head of the Mastodon, belong-
ing to the Society, was placed in the custody of the University
of Pennsylvania, to be put in the Wistar Museum.
Stated Meeting, July 18.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Linnzan Society, dated London, 18th April, 1845,
“acknowledging the receipt of donations from this Society:
and,—
From A. D. Bache, dated Washington, 24th June, 1845,
announcing a donation from the Treasury Department of the
United States.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops and J. E. van der Trappen. Livraisons No. 134, 135,
136. 4to. Title and Indexes of Vol. VIII.—From H. M. the
King of the Netherlands.
VOL. Iv.—2 A
182
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Vol. IV. Part 2.
Nos. 99,100. 1843,1844. @vo.—From the Society.
List of the Geological Society of London, March 1, 1845. 8yo.—
From the same.
Map of New York Bay and Harbour, and the Environs. Founded
upon a Trigonometrical Survey, under the direction of F. R.
Hassler. Triangulation by James Ferguson and Edmund Blunt.
The Hydrography under the direction of T. R. Gedney. The
Topography by C. Renard, T. A. Jenkins, and B. F. Sands.
Published in 1845. Alexander D. Bache, Superintendent Coast
Survey.—From the U. S. Treasury Department.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. July,
1845. No. 7. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. II. May and June, 1845. No.9. 8vo.— From the Aca-
demy.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XIX. July, 1845. Vol. X. 8yvo.—From the
Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. July, 1845. No. 31.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Elfde
Deel. 3% en 4° Stuk. 1844. 8vo. Twaalfde Deel. 1 Stuk.
1845. 8vo.— From the Editors.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. X. July, 1845. No.1. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M.
Patterson.
Observations on the Means of forming and maintaining Troops in
Health in different Climates and Localities. By Assistant Sur-
geon Edward Balfour. Madras. 8vo.—From Joseph Hume,
M.P.
Description of the Teeth of a New Fossil Animal, found in the Green
Sand of South Carolina. By Robert W. Gibbes, M.D. From
the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 8yvo.—
From the Author.
The Merchants’ Magazine for May, 1845. No. 5.—From Henry
C. Carey, Esq.
Mr. Beck stated, that during thirty-six years, his thermo-
meter had never reached within five degrees of its late height;
183
the same thermometer had been used during this time, and had
been for six years in the same place: the thermometer was
within the house, and had this summer reached 96° and 97°.
He believed it to have been the warmest period within his re-
collection.
Mr. G. W. Smith cited several years in which the tempera-
ture had been very high.
Dr. Patterson remarked, that Mr. Bull had just mentioned
to him that he had, in 1818, carefully examined a thermometer
fairly placed in the shade, and found it to rise, on three suc-
cessive days, to 103°. Dr. P. also mentioned, that upon the
occasion of an alteration in the University buildings in this
city, while the workmen were busy upon the roof, he had the
curiosity to take a thermometer to the roof, where he found
that the temperature was 137°. Upon a dark gravelly soil at
the University of Virginia, he found the temperature between
160° and 170°.
Dr. Coates mentioned some experiments, tried by wrapping
a thermometer bulb in black wool, and exposing it to the sun’s
rays: he succeeded several times in raising the temperature to
130°, and once to 142°. He also put the thermometer, wrap-
ped in black wool, in a window with inside shutters, and with
a westwardly exposure; at about 4 o’clock, P. M., the tempe-
rature rose to 172°.
In consequence of the want of a sufficient number of mem-
bers, no ballotting for candidates for membership took place.
Dr. Patterson, from the Committee appointed to consider
the application of the Councils and the County Board, for the
purchase of the Hall, stated, that one of the members of the
Committee was absent from the city, and asked that another
member be added to that Committee, which was granted, and
Mr. Ord was appointed upon the Committee.
184
Stated Meeting, August 15.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Society of Sciences of Copenhagen, dated
Copenhagen, 9th April, 1844, transmitting donations, and ac-
knowledging the receipt of Transactions and Proceedings of
the Society :—
From the Holland Society of Sciences at Harlem, dated
Harlem, 21st November, 1842, accompanying a donation, and.
acknowledging the receipt of Transactions of this Society.
An extract of a letter from the Prince of Canino and Mu-
signano, to the Librarian, was read, dated Rome, 12th July,
1845, expressing his acknowledgments to the Society for the
honour conferred upon him, in having been chosen as the re-
presentative of the Society at the Seventh Congress of the Ita-
lian Association, to be held at Naples in September next.
Letters were further received and read:—
From Mr. Irwin, Minister from the United States at Copen-
hagen, dated Copenhagen, Ist December, 1844, announcing the
transmission of a donation from Prof. Abrahams, of the Uni-
versity of Copenhagen: and,—
From Mr. John B. Sartori, dated Leghorn, 29th April,
1845, on transmitting a piece of what he terms “Fixed Mer-
cury,”’ the secret of which he possesses, and suggesting to the
Society the propriety of encouraging the operation, which, he
thinks, may be an object of very great importance to the Mint
of the United States to possess; and offering to dispose of the
secret to the Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Naturvidenskabelige
og Mathematiske Afhandlinger. Tiende Deel. Copenhagen,
1843. 4to.—From the Royal Society of Sciences of Copen-
hagen.
185
Oversigt over det Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhand-
linger og dets Medlemmers Arbeider i Aaret, 1848. Copenhagen,
1844. 8vo.—From the same.
Natuurkundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsche Maatschappij
der Wetenschappen te Haarlem. Tweede verzameling. 2° Deel.
3° Deel, 1° Stuk. Haarlem, 1842—1844. 4to.—From the Hol-
landish Society of Sciences.
Transactions of the American Ethnological Society. Vol. I. New
York, 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. August,
1845. No. 8. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Journal of the Franklin Institute. Aug. 1845. No. 2. 8vo.—From
Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. Aug. 1845. No. 32.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Description des Manuscrits Francais du Moyen Age de la Biblio-
théque Royale de Copenhague, précedée d’une Notice Historique
sur cette Bibliothéque. Par N.C. J. Abrahams. Copenhague,
1844. 4Ato.—From the Author.
Moise de Khoréne auteur du V® Siecle. Histoire d’Armenie. Texte
Arménien, et Traduction Francaise par P. E. Le Vaillant de Flo-
rival. Venesé, 1841. Two Vols. in One. 8vo.—From John
P. Brown, Esq.
Considerations respecting the Recognition of Friends in another
World: on the Affirmed Descent of Jesus Christ into Hell: on
Phrenology in connexion with the Soul, and of the Existence of
a Soul in Brutes. By John Redman Coxe, M.D. Philadelphia,
1845. 8yvo.—From the Author.
An English and Chinese Vocabulary, in the Court Dialect. By 8S.
Wells Williams. Macao, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
An Anglo-chinese Calendar for the Year 1844, corresponding to the
Year of the Chinese Cycle Era 4481, or the 41st Year of the
75th Cycle of Sixty; being the 24th Year of the Reign of Tauk-
wang. Macao, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
The Treaty of Nanking, signed Aug. 29, 1842: and the Supple-
mentary Treaty, signed Oct. 8, 1848. In the Chinese and Eng-
lish Languages. Macao, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
A List of the Plants growing spontaneously in the Vicinity of Quin-
cy, Florida. By A. W. Chapman, M.D. From the Western
186
Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Vol. III. No. 6. New Se-
ries.— From C. W. Short, M.D. of Louisville.
Perpetual Calendar, Civil and Ecclesiastical, freed from Dominical
Letters, Solar Cycle, Golden Numbers, Extended Tables of
Epacts and Algebraic Formule. By William M‘Ilvaine. Bur-
lington, N. J. 1844. Six Copies.—From the Author.
Atlas von 19 Zeichnungs Tafeln zur Darstellung der Baltimore-Ohio
Eisenbahn untersucht von Carl Ghega, Doctor der Mathemalik
Auf seiner Reise in den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord America.
1844. Folio.—From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 588 to 541. ‘Title and Index to
Vol. XXII. Ato.
DONATION TO THE CABINET.
A Specimen of Metal, said to be Fixed Mercury, but which proved to
be Spelter.—From John B. Sartori, Esq., of Leghorn.
The Committee appointed on Mr. Hamilton’s paper on the
Prevailing Winds observed at Fort Union, Upper Missouri:
the Committee appointed on Mr. Gillis’s paper on Barometric
and Thermometric Means, &c.: and the Committee appointed
18th August, 1843, on Mr. Lea’s paper on Shells, were, on
motion, discharged.
The list of the Committees on obituary notices was read.
Dr. Patterson announced the death of Mr. Joseph Cloud,
long a member of this Society, in his 75th year.
On motion, Mr. Eckfeldt was appointed to prepare an obi-
tuary notice of Mr. Cloud. |
Mr. M‘Ilvaine made a communication upon the subject of
the calendar presented by him to the Society this evening, en-
titled, “Memoir Explanatory of a Perpetual Calendar, Civil
and Kcclesiastic, freed from Dominical Letters, Solar Cycle,
Golden Numbers, EXxxtended Tables of Epacts, and Algebraic
Formule;’’ which was referred to a Committee, consisting of
Dr. Patterson, Professor Frazer, and Mr. Walker.
A communication was read from Mr. Charles Miner, on the
subject of the progressive advancement of the Rocky Moun-
tain Swallow into this State and elsewhere, and suggesting in-
187
quiries to trace the progress and annual advance of the bird, its
brumal retreat, &e.
Mr. Ord stated, that the bird referred to by Mr. Miner had
been known for years, and had been described and figured in
the Prince of Canino’s additions to Wilson, as well as in Mr.
Audubon’s works. It has been seen for many years at Lam-
bertsville, on the Delaware, where it annually breeds, and has
been gradually advancing eastward from the Missouri.
Mr. Trego referred to cases in which the bird had been seen
in various parts of Eastern Pennsylvania; and at Bellefonte,
in the central part of the State, in great numbers.
Dr. Patterson called attention to a work on the Trigonome-
trical Survey of India, commenced by Lieut. Col. Lambton,
and continued by Col. Everest, and gave a detailed account of
the same, explaining the mode in which the survey had been
accomplished. Col. Everest is now on a visit to this country,
and had sent the work laid before the Society by Dr. P. by
Assistant Surgeon EK. K. Kane, of the Navy, who had recently
returned from the east.
The allusion to Dr. Kane gave occasion to the reading of
an extract of a letter from him to Mr. J. K. Kane, dated at
Thebes, May, 1845, in which he refers to his own observa-
tions in the Nile Valley, but especially to the ardent and im-
portant labours of Dr. Lepsius, now occupied in archaical in-
vestigations there.
Mr. Eckfeldt stated, that he had examined the specimen
sent to the Society by Mr. Sartori, and could not observe a
trace of mercury. He considered it to be zinc, containing
small quantities of lead and other metals. Its specific gravity
was 7.05.
On motion, the Committee on Finance were discharged from
the further consideration of a letter from Mr. Smith, on the
subject of taxes on the Museum property, referred to them on
15th December, 1843.
On motion, the Librarian was discharged from the further
consideration of the subject of the instruments lent to the late
Mr. Hassler, referred to him 15th December, 1843.
On motion, the Committee appointed to take charge of the
188
interests of the Society involved in a claim asserted by the
City Councils, were excused from reporting thereon until fur-
ther ordered.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the Corresponding Secretary
was directed to return an answer to the letter of Mr. Sartori.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vor. IV. SEPT.—DEC. 1845. No. 34.
Special Meeting, September 5.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Vice-President announced that the meeting had been
called in consequence of certain legal proceedings taken against
the Society.
On motion, the subject was referred to a Committee, con-
sisting of Messrs. T. I. Wharton, Mr. Williams, Mr. Kane,
Mr. C. C. Biddle, and Mr. Vanderkemp, who were authorized
to take such steps as might seem to them conducive to the in-
terests of the Society.
Stated Meeting, September 19.
Present, thirty members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Royal Astronomical Society, dated London, 4th
June, 1845: the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 19th
April, 1845: the Linnzan Society, dated London, 4th June,
1845: respectively acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IV.
Nos. 30, 31, of the Proceedings, and of Dr. Dunglison’s Ad-
dress in Commemoration of Mr. Du Ponceau: and,—
VOL. IV.—2 B
190
From Dr. Beck, of Albany, dated Albany, 12th September,
1845, expressing a desire to procure for the Library of the
State of New York, certain missing numbers of the first vo-
lume of the Proceedings of the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VI. Nos. 12 to 17, inclusive. Jan. 10 to June 13,1845. 8Svo.—
From the Society.
Transactions of the Geological Society of London. Second Series.
Vol. VII. Parts 1 and 2. 1845. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Session 1844,
1845. Vol. IV. Part 2. No. 101. 8vo.—From the same.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XV. Partl. 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. No. XVI. Part 1. London, 1845. 8vo.—From the So-
ciety.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVI. Part 1.
1845. 4to. Vol. XVII. Part 1, containing the Makerstoun
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations for 1841 and 1842.
1845. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. II. 1844-5.
Nos. 25 and 26. ‘Title, Contents and Index of Vol. I. 8vo.—
From the same.
The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Vol. XX. Dublin,
1845. 4to.—From the Academy.
Reports of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham,
and Neweastle-upon-Tyne, for the Years ending August, 1842,
1848, and 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome VI. V® et VI¢ Liv-
raisons de 1844. 8yo.—From the Engineers of Mines.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires d’Extraits et de Notices
Relatifs 4 Histoire, a la Philosophie, aux Langues et a la Lit-
térature des Peuples Orientaux. Quatricme Série. Tome IV.
No. 20. Décembre, 1844. Tome V. Nos. 21 4 23. 1845.
8vo.—From the Society.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisitme Série. Tome Deux-
i¢me. Paris, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
19]
Report of the Fourteenth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science; held at York, in September, 1844.
London, 1845. 8vo.—F rom the Association.
Account of the Northumberland Equatoreal and Dome, attached to
the Cambridge Observatory. By G. R. Airy, Esq., M.A.,
Astronomer Royal. Cambridge, 1844. 4to.—From H. G.,
the Duke of Northumberland.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. Septem-
ber, 1845. No. 9. S8vyo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. September, 1845. No.
33. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
X. September, 1845. 8yvo.—From Dr. R. M. Patierson.
On the Liquefaction and Solidification of Bodies generally existing as
Gases. By Michael Faraday, Esq., F.R.S. From the Philo-
sophical Transactions. Part 1, for 1845. London, 1845. 4to.
From the Author.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. Il. No.9. July, 1845. 8vo.—From the Editor.
On the Transport of Erratic Blocks. By William Hopkins, M.A.,
F.R.S., &c. From the Transactions of the Cambridge Philoso-
phical Society. Vol. VIII. Part 2. 4to.—From the Author.
Four Letters on the Motion of Glaciers. By William Hopkins, Esq.,
&c. From the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical
Magazine and Journal of Science. Vol. XXVI. London, 1845.
8vo.— From the. Author.
Bulletin Polytechnique, Revue des Sciences Exactes, de leurs applica-
tions et de leur Enseignement, etc. etc. Par Auguste Blum et
autres. Tome 1%. No.1. Janvier, 1845. 8vo.—From D.
B. Warden, Esq.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
Silliman and Benjamin Silliman, Jr. Vol. XLIX. No.1. July,
1845. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy, communicating a Report of the
Plan and Construction of the Depét of Charts and Instruments,
with a Description of the Instruments, &c. February 18, 1845.
Read to Senate. 28th Congress, 2d Session. Doc. No. 114.
8vo.—From Lieut. Gilliss.
The Principles of the Differential and Integral Calculus; and their
192
application to Geometry. By Washington M‘Cartney, Esq.
Philadelphia, 1844. 8vo.—F rom the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Histoire Naturelle des Poissons. Par M. le Baron Cuvier et M.A.
Valenciennes. Tome Dix-septiéme. Paris 1844. 4to. Blanches.
No. 456 a 487.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisitme Série. Année
1844-5. Tomes X. XJ. XII. XIII. XIV. No. for May. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XX. Nos.1 to 24,inclusive. Paris, 1845. Ato.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 542, 543, 544. Ato.
The Committee to whom was referred Mr. M‘Ilvaine’s
Memoir upon a New Civil and Ecclesiastical Calendar, reported
in favour of its publication in the Transactions, which, upon
motion of Mr. Kane, was ordered accordingly.
Mr. M‘Ilvaine’s Calendar consists of a central column headed
“¢ Hras,” accompanied by two series of secular equations, by means
of which, and of two small ancillary tables, he has been enabled to
reduce to identical terms, his formule. for finding in both styles and
through a vast range of time, the day of the week in the Civil Calen-
dar, and the Annual Epact, with Easter deduced from it, in the
Ecclesiastical. After noticing the simplifications of the Calendar,
effected within the last half century by the analytical methods of
Gauss and Delambre, Mr. M‘Ilvaine proceeds to demonstrate the rule
of his own Civil Calendar, and to explain the principles upon which
Table B, containing numbers for the respective months, was formed.
Having thus proved that no necessity exists for the use of Dominical
letters in the Julian Calendar, since the same object may be attained
in an easier way through the Solar Equation 5, standing in column
A, opposite to the Julian Era, he goes on to show that, with the aid
of table B, a similar device may be equally well adapted to the
Gregorian Era.
The first step in the reformation of the Julian Calendar, in 1582,
consisted in the suppression of 10 days in that year, by calling the
day, which, in the old style, was the 5th of October, the 15th of
October in the new. Now the Julian 5th of October, 1582, will be
shown by the Calendar to have been Friday, and the 15th, conse-
193
quently, Monday; and, as the series of days of the week was not in-
terrupted, nor intended to be, by the reform, in order to make the
15th of October, in the new style, coincide with Friday, it is obvious
that we must go back three days; that is, we must subtract 3 from
the Julian Solar Equation 5, leaving 2, which will thus become the
Gregorian Solar Equation for the remainder of the 16th century.
This equation would suit all succeeding centuries, were it not for
the second step taken at the reformation, of directing that after 1600,
which continued bissextile in both Calendars, every succeeding hun-
dredth year, whose centurial figures were not divisible by four, with-
out a remainder, should cease to be leap years.
As each of the years, 1700, 1800, and 1900, loses consequently a
day, the number expressive of the solar equation is diminished by
one at each change of the centurial figure; but for 2000, and for
every succeeding 400th year, whose centurial figures are divisible
by four without a remainder, the equation continues, like that of
1600, the same as the preceding one, and these years only are
marked on the civil side of the column of Eras with an asterisk.
Thus column A, consisting of fewer figures (and these symmetri-
cally disposed in a cycle of 7,) than have ever been used in con-
structing any table of Dominical letters for either style, completes a
Civil Calendar of simple form, and unlimited extent. In the present
century, whose solar equation is 0, the computation will be found
particularly easy.
Mr. M‘Ilvaine then proceeds to explain the construction of the Ec-
clesiastical side of his Calendar, and the means which he adopted
for connecting it with Table B of the other side, as well as for mak-
ing a single additional column C, serve as a convenient substitute for
the Extended Table of Epacts now in use. _
From the descriptions given in Mr. Galloway’s article on the Calen-
dar, in the seventh edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and in one,
by Lord Macclesfield, published in the Philosophical Transactions for
1750, Mr. M‘Ilvaine inferred, that the golden numbers, as remain-
ders, on division by 19 of the year plus 1, might be dispensed with,
and their place, in computation, conveniently supplied by addin® to
11 times the year, the 19th part of the year used as a quotient, or
whole number, (taking care only that when the year happens to be
a multiple of 19, one less than the 19th part shall be added, ) and then
rejecting thirties from the sum. This easy formula, equivalent to the
rule at the head of the tablet, yielded him, without a failure, the con-
stantly recurring 19 epacts that mark the Julian Calendar. Now
PERPETUAL CALENDAR,
CIVIL
Freed from Dominical Letters, Solar Cycle, Golden Numbers, Extended Tables of Epacts and
By Wm. MIlvaine, Burlington, N. J. 1844.
Algebraic Formule.
RULG.
To find on what day of the week a given day
of the Month falls in any Year after CHRIST,
to the end of Time.
Add to the Year
its 4th part (omitting fractions),
the Eq. in col. A beside the Era,
the No. of the Month in Table B,
and the Day of the Month.
(or the excess over 7s in the Day of the Mo.)
Divide the Sum by 7%
The Excess over %s, calling O always 7,
will be the Day sought, viz.
The ist, 2d, Sd, 4th, Sth, 6th,
Being Sue Me Tue W. Th. Ere
@th,
Se
Except in January and February of Leap Y’rs,
when the preceding will be the true day.
All JULIAN Years full 4s are Leap Years.
GREGORIAN full 4s are also Leap Years,
| wnless their two right hand figs. be 0O
joined with left hand figs. not full 4s.
TABLE Be
Of Months.
Feb.
| Ist Quarter Jan.
2d aA April.
3d Pe dntkys
*
4th ,, Oct.
The No. for each Month in Table Be is the
number of days beyond full weeks in a// the
Months which precede it from the beginning of
a Common Year.
The order and position of the figs. 35 Gy 5,
(the number of days in a Common Year,) and
of 1g By de 4o 5, in the space between them,
may recall to memory the whole Table.
194
AND
xs
>
m
fisolar
iOMe
quatiome
Lun
Equat
Solar
|
B |x
Julian. G
After
5 | Christ. | 9
Grego-
rian,
From
1582.
Centurial
Figures.
Q 15 1
2|*16 1
1 17 au
0 ISx] 0
6 19 29
6 | «20 99
5 21 x |} 29
4 22 Qe
3 23 27
3 * 24 x | 28
Q 25 27
1 26 26
0 RT x | 26
0 | «28 26
6 29 25
5 30 x | 95
4 31 24
4 | «32 24
3 33 x | 24
Q 34 23
1 35 Q2
1 | «36% | 93
0 37 By)
6 38 Q1
5 39 x | QI
5 | x 40 21
4 4A 20
3 42 19
2 43% | 19
2 | «44 19
1 45 18
0 46 x | 18
6 47 17
6 | «48 We
5 49x | 17
4 50 16
3 5 15
3 | «52% | 16
%) 53 15
1 54 14
0 53x | 14
0 | «56 14
6 5g 13
5 58 x | 13
4 59 12
4 | «60 12
3 Gi x | 12
Q 62 ipl
1 63 10
1 | «64x /] 11
ECCLESIASTICAL,
RULE.
To find the Calendar-Moon’s Age on the Ist 4
day of January in any Year, from the begin- (|
ning of the CHRISTIAN ERA.
Add to ten times the Year,
the Year,
J its 19th part (omitting fractions),
and the Eq. in col. ©, beside the Era.
{ (But if no fraction add 1 less than the 19th |
part.)
Divide the sum by 39,
The Excess over 30s, calling 0 = 30,
will be the Age sought, or Annual Epact.
The Diff.
To find EASTER, will be
Subtract any the DAY’
of the
EEeen, MONTH
rf Z on which
Gregorian. Juliane occurs We
Pascua |
Between| From |Between| From TERM.
i 1
& 13 & 5 in April. |
12 4
13 5
& 4A & 36 | in March.|
23 : 15
$25 7
& 43 & 35 |)
30 28 |
a | | rin April
|
24 42 29 34 |)
{ 25 also from |—— This is the Epact 25’ of i
the Tables in the Ar-
ticle “Calendar.” En-
cyclopedia Britannica,
7th Edition.
42, if in getting
a 19th of the
year, the Rem.
exceed 10.
Then find by the CIVIL CALENDAR the
Day of the Week on which that Day of the
Month falls, and the following Sunday will be
EASTER SUNDAY.
The number of days to be counted forwards
will be shown by subtracting the Day of the
Week thus found, from 8.
195
EXAMPLES.
What Day of the
What Day of the Required Week will be
Week was April 2d, Easier, March 22d,
A. D. 326. A. D. 326. A. D. 1845.
4) 326 3260 4) 1845
81 19) 326 461
A 5 17 A 0
Mo. 6 Cc 0 Mo. 3
Day 2
7) 420 30) 3603 Day 22
60 120 —
7) 2331
Remainder 0 | Rem. or Epact 3 333
or 7 |Taken from 85
Remainder 0
Answer, Sat. |Eevm April 2 Ope
Answer, Sat.
Thence | to Sunday 1 thence
Ans. April 3
Required
Easter,
A. D. 1845.
30) 20392
679
22
44
Germ March 22
Epact
From
to Sunday 1
Ans. March 23
Rule proved by examples from De Morgan.
See British Almanac and Companion for 1845.
Julian Yre Eastere Gregorian Yre Eastere
4) 1639 16390 4) 4610 46100
409 19) 1639 1152 19) 4610
A 5 86 A 0 242
Mo. 6 Cc 0 Mo. 6 Cc 18
Day 10 Day 13
ee a 30) 18115 — 30) 50970
7) 2069 Rr. Epact 25 7) 5781 Rr. Epact 30
Wed’y. 4 From 3d Friday 6 From 43
From 8 | @erw April 10 From 8] @erm April 18
4..toSunday 4 2..toSunday 2
Same Answer, April 14 Same Answer, April iB
Rule proved by examples from Delambre.
See Conn. des Tems for 1817, and Hist. de l’Astron. Mod.
Julian Yr. Easter. Gregorian Yroe Easter. —
4) 4763 47630 4) 3909 39090
1190 19) 4763 977 19) 3909
A 5 250 A 5 205
Mo. 6 Cc 0 Mo. 6 Cc 21
Day 12 iS Day 17
; ess 643 — 30) 43225
7) «5976 Rr. Epact 23 7) 4914 Rr. es 25!
Thursday 5 From $5 Sate Ol, From 42
From 8| @erm April 12 From 8| Germ April 17
3..toSunday 3 i
Same Answer, April 15
. . to Sunday 1
Same Answer, April 18
eee ee
196
obtaining in this way the Julian epact for 1582, and advancing the
epacts by a unit, which is equivalent to the tabular arrangements
made at the transition to the Gregorian Calendar in that year, the
first equation of column C becomes 1. From this the succeeding
equations of that column were derived, as follows: Every centurial
ficure, at which, in successive periods of 25 centuries, (beginning at
1800, 4300, 6800, &c.,) the epact is, according to the Gregorian
law, to be increased by a unit—a correction which occurs at the end
of every 300 years, seven times in succession, and then once at the
end of 400 years (making 8 corrections in the course of 2500 years)—
was marked with an asterisk. Then descending, century by century,
in the central column of eras, the equation in column C was kept the
same, wherever an asterisk is met with on either side. The last equation
was diminished by 1 whenever there was no asterisk, and increased
by 1 whenever the asterisk appeared on both sides, limiting the
series by the cycle of 30, and considering 30 as always equivalent
to 0.
The epacts obtained by means of the table thus formed, and the
rule, Mr. M‘Ilvaine found to be in exact correspondence with those
set down in the Extended Tables of Epacts given in the ordinary trea-
tises upon the Calendar.
Mr. M‘Ilvaine then explains his method of obtaining, in the table
for finding Haster, four fixed numbers in each Calendar, by means
of which he arrives at once at the Paschal term, or day of the month
in March or April, on which Easter Sunday depends. The day of
the week corresponding to this is then to be found by the Civil
Calendar, and the succeeding Sunday is, of course, Easter Sunday.
Mr. Kane announced to the Society the death of the Ho-
nourable Joseph Story, who died at Cambridge, Mass., on
Wednesday, 10th September, 1845, in the 65th year of his
age.
On motion of Mr Kane, Mr. William Rawle was appointed
to prepare a necrological notice of Judge Story.
Mr. T. I. Wharton, from the Committee on the Claim of the
executors of the late Mr. Nathan Dunn, reported.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the Committee was continued
without being required to report until specially ordered.
197
Stated Meeting, October 3.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings connected with the Magnetical and Meteorological Con-
ference, held at Cambridge, in June, 1845, during the meeting of
the British Association for the Advancement of Science. London,
1845. 8vo.—From the British Association.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Uitgege-
ven door J. van der Hoeven, M.D., en W. H. de Vriese, M.D.
Twaalfde Deel, 2° Stuk. Leiden, 1845. Svo.—From the Edi-
tors.
Medical Notes and Reflections. By Henry Holland, M.D., F.R.S.,
&c. Second edition. London, 1840. 8vo.—From the Author.
An Essay, Literary and Practical, on Inversio Uteri. By John
Green Crosse, M.D., F.R.S., &c. Part the First. London, 1845.
8vo.—From the Author.
Die Baltimore-Ohio-Eisenbahn tiber das Alleghany-Gebirg mit beson-
derer bertichsichtigung der Steigungs-und Krimmungsverhiltnisse
untersucht von Carl Ghega. Aufseiner reise in den Vereinigten
Staaten von Nord-Amerika. Wien, 1844. 8vo.—From the
Author.
Report on the State of the Lying-in Hospitals in Europe, to the Ma-
nagers of the Preston Retreat, and to the Obstetrical Committee
of the College of Physicians. By James Bryan, M.D. Philadel-
phia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
An Elementary Treatise on Astronomy. By William A. Norton,
A.M. Stereotype edition. Corrected, improved, and enlarged.
New York, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Dr. Patterson drew the attention of the members to the
Hydro-electrical Machine now being exhibited in the city.
VOL. IvV.—2 ¢
198
Stated Meeting, October 17.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Royal Society of London, dated London, June,
1845, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of this
Society, Nos. 30 and 31; and of Dr. Dunglison’s discourse on
Mr. Du Ponceau: and,—
From Dr. T. R. Beck, the Secretary of the Regents of the
University of the State of New York, dated Albany, 13th
October, acknowledging the receipt of Nos. 1 and 3, of the
Proceedings of this Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
year 1845. Part I. London, 1845. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.
List of the Royal Society of London. 30th November, 1844. 4to.
From the same.
Proceedings of the Royal Society. 1844. No. 60. 8vo.—From
the same.
Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the Year 1848; under the direction of George Biddell
Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published by order of the
Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Majesty’s command.
London, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
Reduction of the Observations of Planets, made at the Royal Obser-
vatory, Greenwich, from 1750 to 1830; computed by order of
the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, under the superinten-
dence of George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal.
Published by order of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
London, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des
Mines de Russie, ou Recueil d’Observations Magnétiques et Mété-
orologiques faites dans l’étendue de l’Empire de Russie, et pub-
liges par ordre de S. M. ’Empéreur Nicolas [. aux frais de la
199
direction générale des Mines, par A. T. Kupffer. Année, 1842.
En 2 parties. St. Pétersbourg, 1844. 4to.—From the Imperial
Administration of Mines, Russia.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. 20. New Series. October, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. III. October, 1845. No.
34. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. October,
1845. No. 10. S8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
On the Heat of Vapours. By Sir J. W. Lubbock.—From the Au-
thor.
A Paper on the Patent Azimuth and Steering Compass, invented by
Edward J. Dent, F.R.A.S. Presented to the meeting of the Bri-
tish Association for the Advancement of Science, at York. Lon-
don, 1844. 8vo.—From the Author.
Bibliotheca Americana, being a choice collection of Beoks relating to
North and South America, and the West Indies, including Voyages
to the Southern Hemisphere. Paris, 1840. 8vo. ‘This is the
catalogue of Mr. Warder’s Books, which were purchased for the
New York State Library.—From the Regents of the Unwersity
of New York.
Illustrations of the Geology of Yorkshire; or a Description of the
Strata and Organic Remains of the Yorkshire Coast: accom-
panied by a Geological Map, Sections, and Plates of the Fossil
Plants and Animals. By John Phillips, F.G.S., &c. &c. York,
1829. 4to.—From Alfred Cope, Esq.
Remarks on Prisons and Prison Discipline in the United States. B.
D. L. Dix. Boston, 1845. 8vo.—From the Philadelphia Pri-
son Society.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Scientific Memoirs, selected from the Transactions of Foreign Acade-
mies of Science and Learned Societies. Edited by Richard
Taylor, F.S.A., &c. Vol. IV. Part XIIi. November, 1844.
Part XIV. August, 1845. 8vo.
The list of Standing Committees on subjects of Science, was
read.
200
The Committee on a communication of Mr. Borden, ap-
pointed 6th January, 1843, was, on motion, discharged.
On motion, Professor Vethake was excused from the duty
assigned him of preparing an obituary notice of the late Mr.
Nicklin.
The list of outstanding Committees on obituary notices,
was read.
Dr. Patterson laid before the Society sundry specimens of
dollars found in the wreck of the San Pedro, destroyed by fire,
thirty years ago, off the coast of Venezuela. He read the fol-
lowing note by Mr. Du Bois.
Early in 1815, a naval armament was fitted out in Spain, by Fer-
dinand VII., for the purpose of reducing the rebellious colonies in
South America. The military force of this expedition amounted to
10,000 men, of whom 2000 were on board the flag-ship San Pedro.
This vessel was also freighted, to a large amount, with gunpowder,
cannon balls, and specie. The fleet touched at the island of Mar-
guerita, near the coast of Venezuela, where, with a variety of other
plunder, the San Pedro took on board eight casks of spirits. Having
left the island, and making for the main land, which was within six
hours’ sail, the vessel was discovered to be on fire. The flame, how-
ever, was in a fair way of being extinguished, when the steward in-
cautiously opened one of the vessels containing ardent spirits to re-
fresh the hands. The fire, by some accident, came in contact with
the rum, and instantly the flames spread so far as to become unman-
ageable. The ship burnt four hours, until the powder magazine was
reached by the fire, when an explosion took place, and the wreck
went down, involving in its destruction the lives of 400 men.
The right of working the wreck having not long since been granted
by the government of Venezuela to a company of gentlemen in Balti-
more, designated as the “ San Pedro Company,” measures were taken
to recover the specie, and other valuables known to have been on
board, and a vessel, with diving-bell and workmen, was sent out in
February last. The wreck was found sunk in 60 feet water, and 4
or 5 miles from the main land. It was also found that the vessel had
rested on a hard bed of coral; on this, (subsequently to the catastro-
phe,) a layer of thick mud was deposited; and over this was grown
another stratum of coral, which has to be pierced to arrive at the re-
mains of the ship.
The diving-bell (which is 5 feet diameter and 5 feet high) is sent
201
down three or four times a day, with two labourers, who remain
down about two hours at a time. During the past season they have
brought up a quantity of copper, in various shapes, besides cannon-
balls, &c.; and Spanish dollars, the recoinage of which at the Mint
has produced about $18,500. ‘The silver has been much corroded by
the action of sulphur, which is supposed to have occurred from the
usual precaution of placing the specie in the powder magazine. This
has occasioned a diminution in value of 7 or 8 per cent., that is, the
dollars average 92 or 98 cents each; but the variation of loss is
very great, as some are found worth 98 cents, and one, with the
stamps still visible, was reduced to 34 cents in value. They are all
too much spoiled for currency, though in most cases the impressions
are very distinct.
The cannon-balls and grape-shot are highly oxidized, and are curi-
ous from having lost so much in weight; the shot herewith shown,
being 2 inches in diameter, must have originally weighed just 18 ozs.
avoirdupois. It now weighs 7;4, ozs. In other terms, its specific
gravity has been reduced from about 7.168 to 2.830, by lying 30
years in the ocean.
(Norr.—By calculation, if 18 ozs. be reduced to 745, 7.168 falls
to 2.832, which closely confirms the experiment.)
The above facts were obtained in a conversation with Mr. Gordon,
the President of the Company, who kindly placed these specimens in
the Mint cabinet.
Assay Office, U. S. Mint, October 16, 1845.
N.B. To bring the dollars into a condition fit for deposit at the
Mint, the incrustation upon them, consisting of shelly and earthy
matter, combined with sulphuret of silver, is first removed. A con-
siderable quantity of this coating has been reduced into metallic silver
at the Mint, yielding 38 per cent. in silver. The crusts of black sul-
phuret, comparatively free from shell, yield 70 per cent. The aver-
age value of the dollars, with this taken into account, is about 94
cents.
Whether the dollars would have suffered so much by the mere
action of sea-water, is open to inquiry. ‘The loss in this instance is
clearly due to the attacks of sulphur, most probably from the gun-
powder. No muriate of silver was found in the analysis.
Mr. C. M‘Euen exhibited to the Society an engraved Re-
volving Table, intended to show approximately the time of the
meridian passage of a star.
202
He also exhibited a series of curves laid down from the ob-
servations of Dr. Hewson, printed in the Transactions of this
Society, showing the extreme and mean temperatures at Phila-
delphia, for a period of ten years.
He also exhibited tables of the same, for a period of thirteen
years, by an unknown observer; and remarked that these did
not agree with the others, and from certain evidence contained
in them, he suspected that the thermometer observed had been
placed in the house.
Mr. Walker stated on behalf of Mr. Kendall, that on the morn-
ing of the 6th of July, they had succeeded in making one obser-
vation on Encké’s Comet. The difference between its place as
observed, and that calculated for it in the Ephemeris, was 20
seconds of space in right Ascension, 10 seconds in Declination.
He also stated, that he had received a letter from Professor
Mitchell, of Cincinnati, announcing that he had discovered that
Antares in Scorpio is a double star. The companion is at the
distance of 1.5 seconds of space from the principal, and the
brilliancy of the latter contrasted strongly with the faintness of
the other.
The Society then proceeded to the stated business of the
meeting, the balloting for new members.
The list of outstanding Committees on business, was read.
The Curators charged, 7th January, 1842, with the duty of
receiving the standards of measure, left by Mr. Vaughan to the
Society, and to have them placed in suitable cases, were, on
motion of Mr. Smith, directed to take immediate steps to ob-
tain these measures.
Dr. Elwyn, as Secretary, stated that he had written to the
outstanding Committees on obituary notices.
Dr. Dunglison reported, that he had written to Mr. Sartori,
in accordance with the direction of the Society of the 15th of
August.
The other business of the meeting having been disposed of,
the ballot boxes were opened, and the following gentlemen
were declared to be elected members of the Society :—
Ww. B. Carrenter, M.D., F.R.S., of London.
Sir Wn. Jarpine, Bart., F.R.S., Ed., of Scotland.
Prof. R. Lerstus, of Berlin.
203
Stated Meeting, Nov. 7.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Franxxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read :—
From the Central Committee of Statistics of Belgium, dated
Brussels, 6th April, 1845:—
From the Minister of Finance of Russia, dated St. Peters-
burg, 23d October, 1844, respectively announcing donations to
the Library :—
From A. T. Kupffer, dated St. Petersburg, 15—27th October,
1844, accompanying a donation to the Library, and asking of
the Society to send their publications in exchange:—
From M. Gustave d’Eichthal, dated Paris, 7th July, 1845,
announcing a donation to the Society :—
From Col. Jos. G. Totten, dated Washington, 3d Novem-
ber, 1845, announcing a donation to the Society :—
From F. Fraley, Esq., dated Philadelphia, 17th October,
1845, in reference to the obituary notice of Professor Keating:
and,—
From Dr. Ducatel, dated Baltimore, 20th October, 1845,
asking to be excused from the duty of preparing an obituary
notice of the late Mr. Nicollet.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Observations made at the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory,
at Toronto, in Canada. Printed by order of Her Majesty’s Go-
vernment, under the superintendence of Lieut. Colonel Edward
Sabine, of the Royal Artillery. Vol. I. 1840, 1841, 1842.
London, 1845. 4to.—From the British Government, through
the Hon. Edward Everett.
Statistique de la Belgique. Population. Mouvement de l’Etat Civil
pendant Vannée, 1843. Publié par le Ministre de VIntérieure,
(M. Nothomb.) Bruxelles, Décembre, 1844 Folio.—From the
Belgium Central Commission of Statistics.
Annales des Mines. Redigées par les Ingénieurs des Mines. Qua-
204
triéme Série. Tome VII. 1¢¢ livraison de 1845. 8vo.—From
the Engineers of Mines, Paris.
Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome V. No. 24. Juin,
1845. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
The Twelfth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic So-
ciety, 1844. 8vo.—From the Society.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Vol. XLIX. No. 2.
October, 1845. 8vo.—F rom the Editors.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. Novem-
ber, 1845. No.11. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. Hl. November, 1845.
No. 35. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. X. October, 1845. No. 4. 8vo.—From Dr. R.
M. Patterson.
Papers on Practical Engineering. No. 3. Sustaining Walls: Ge-
ometrical Constructions to determine their thickness under vari-
ous circumstances. Derived chiefly from a Memoir of M. Ponce-
let, with modifications and extensions, by Lieut. D. P. Woodbury,
under the direction of Col. J. G. Totten, Chief Engineer. Wash-
ington, 1845. 8vo.—F rom Col. Totten.
The Latitude of Cambridge Observatory, in Massachusetts, deter-
mined from transits of stars over the prime vertical, observed
during the months of December, 1844, and January, 1845, by
W. C. Bond, Major James D. Graham, Geo. P. Bond, and Benja-
min Peirce. 4to. Published in the Memoirs of the American
Academy, Boston.—From Major J. D. Graham.
Etudes sur l’Histoire Primitive des Races Océaniennes et Américaines.
Par Gustave d’Eichthal. Extracted from the Memoirs of the
Ethnological Society of Paris. 8Svo.—From the Author.
A Lithographic impression of the Fossil Animal named Missourium
theristocaulodon. Published in Leipzig and Dresden.—From
Dr. Koch.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Par MM. les Secrétaires perpétuels. Tome XX.
Nos. 25, 26. Tome XXI. Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive. 4to.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 545, 546, 547. Ato.
205
The Committee on Major Jas. D. Graham’s paper, entitled
“ Observations for the Magnetic Dip, made at several positions,
chiefly on the South-Western and North-Eastern frontiers of
the United States; and of the Magnetic Declination at two
positions on the river Sabine, in 1840, by Major Jas. D. Gra-
ham,” reported an abstract made by the author, and recom-
mended its publication in the Transactions, which was ordered
accordingly.
The observations of the magnetic dip and declination, from the
29th of January to the 5th of June, contained in this paper, were
made while Major Graham was attached to the joint commission for
the demarcation of that portion of the boundary between the United
States and Texas, included between the mouth of the river Sabine and
its intersection with the 32° of north latitude. The observations for
the dip, subsequent to that period, were made while he was serving
as a commissioner on the part of the United States for the survey and
exploration of the territory then in dispute with the government of
Great Britain upon our north-eastern frontier.
The only apparatus in possession of the commission for the demar-
cation of the boundary line between the United States and Texas,
that could be applied to the determination of the declination, consisted
of the surveyor’s compasses furnished for the survey, and the needle
of a theodolite. Although a good variation transit would have been
preferred for this purpose, yet the want of such an instrument was in
a great measure compensated for, by the use of three different needles
instead of one. These were observed on with the poles direct and
then again with the poles reversed. In every instance the errors of
the instrument were compensated as far as practicable by noting the
readings of both ends of the needles, and by reversing the direction
of the vanes of the compasses, and then making another set of read-
ings in the same manner. When the theodolite needle was observed
upon, both ends were read before and then again after a reversal by
a horizontal motion of the azimuth plate: anda mean of all the sepa-
rate results was adopted for the correct declination at each station.
The observations for the magnetic dip were made with an instru-
ment constructed by Troughton and Simms, of London, in the year
1838. It was obtained for the commission for the Texan boundary
survey, from Messrs. William Bond and Son, of Boston, for whom it
was made. The whole instrument is of brass. The azimuth circle
is divided by the aid of a vernier to read to minutes. The vertical or
VOL. IV.—2 D
206
dip circle, is 8 inches in diameter, divided on a silver-washed surface,
to read to 15 minutes of arc. But, by the aid of a magnifying lens,
the readings may easily be estimated to the nearest two minutes.
In making the observations, the following method was always pur-
sued, viz: Both ends of the needle were read with the face of the dip
circle to the east, and also to the west, and with the face or marked
side of the needle twice to the east and twice to the west; that is, once
each way, by a change of direction of the face of the instrument, and
once each way again, by a reversal of the needle on its axis. A
mean of all the readings was then taken and noted. ‘The poles of the
needle were then changed, and the same course repeated, and a mean
of all the readings noted. A mean of these two results was taken for
the dip indicated by the needle. ‘The same operation was then per-
formed with the other needle, and a mean of the final results of the
two needles was adopted as the magnetic dip for the station.
Care was always taken, in selecting positions for observations, both
for the dip and the declination, to have them beyond the reach of in-
fluence upon the needles arising from the iron in buildings and from
any other local cause. ‘The magnets, all iron or steel belonging to
the camp, were always kept remote from the instruments during the
observations, and were always sent in a direction east or west (mag-
netic) of the instrument, in order thus to neutralize all influence upon
the needles.
The close coincidence in the results of the two dipping needles,
which was still exhibited after the accident by lightning to needle
No. 2, described in the memoir, will serve as a striking illustration of —
the importance of the several reversals of the face of the instrument,
of the faces of the needle, by turning their axes end for end, and of
the poles. Previous to that accident, the indications of needle No. 2,
were quite as uniform throughout its various positions as those of
needle No. J. After the accident, needle No. 2, always exhibited a
variation in its extreme indications, arising from change of position,
amounting to 10 and sometimes to nearly 12 degrees. Still the mean
of all the observations made in the manner described seems to have
agreed as well, or nearly as well, as before the accident, with the dip
indicated by needle No. 1, which always remained in good order.
The absolute error of needle No. 2, seems to have been constant,
or very nearly so, but by the several reversals of position, and of the
poles, this error was rendered as often positive in its character, as it
was negative, and was thus neutralized, or very nearly so.
Needle No 2 was observed upon for the last time, at West Point,
207
N. Y., on the 24th of August, 1840. Its place was afterwards sub-
stituted by two other needles, marked No. 3 and No. 4. They were
made expressly for Major Graham, by Mr. J. M. Baur, of New York,
and are of the acute lozenge shape, very similar in form to No. 2.
The needles were always charged as strongly as practicable, and
generally to saturation, both when the poles were direct, and also
when reversed. This is an important object in observing the dip, for
the stronger the needles are charged with magnetism, the less is the
effect of any want of perfect balance, or any imperceptible dust, or
other particles which may adhere to them, to deflect them from the
true angles of dip.
The localities occupied by the instrument, at the several stations,
have been minutely described in the memoir, in order that they may
be easily found by future observers, and that an exact comparison of
results may be made, and the change of dip, with the lapse of time,
be the more accurately ascertained.
The following are results obtained by Major Graham:
At the light-house, at the S. W. pass, mouth of the Mississippi
river. Lat. 28° 58’ 50” N., Long. 89° 21’ 27" W.
On the 29th January, 1840. Dip 58° 42'.25.
At Dr. Everett’s house, near the mouth of the River Sabine, Texas.
Lat. 29° 43’ 54" N., Long. 98° 51’ 30" W.
On the 11th February, 1840, Dip 58° 33'.65.
On the 28th February, 1840, Dip 08° 32’.1.
On the 19th February, 1840, Declination 8° 40’.1 E.
On the 29th February, 1840, Declination 8° 40'.3 E.
At Gaines’ Ferry, on Sabine river, Texas. Lat. 31° 28' 15" N.,
Long. 93° 44' 31” W.
On the 28th and 29th May, 1840, Dip 60° 57’.
On the 29th May, 1840, Declination 8° 40.5 E.
At Polvido’s house, on Sabine river, La. Lat. 82° 01' 01" N.,
Long. 94° W.
On the 4th and 5th June, 1840, Dip 61° 36'.8.
At Natchitoches, La.
On the 26th June, 1840, Dip 61° 15.'9.
A WMestabointy N.Y Wats 41° 23/25" N.. Long. 74° 01' W.
On the 24th August, 1840, Dip 73° 20'.09.
At a point 4578 feet due north from the monument at the source
of the river St. Croix. Lat. 45° 57’ 23'.6 N., Long. 67° 46' 45” W.
On the 18th, 19th and 20th Oct. 1840, Dip 76° 57’.4.
At Parke’s Hill. Lat. 46° 06’ 40" N., Long. 67° 46' 45" W.
On the 27th, 28th and 29th Nov. 1840, Dip 77° 02'.5.
208
The list of outstanding Committees on subjects of science,
was read.
The list of Committees on obituary notices, was read.
On motion of Mr. Frazer, Dr. Ducatel was excused from the
duty assigned him of preparing an obituary notice of Mr.
Nicollet.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Col. Abert was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Mr. Nicollet.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, Dr. Emerson was excused from
the duty assigned him of preparing an obituary notice of Mr.
Dunn.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, Mr. Eckfeldt was excused from
the duty of preparing an obituary notice of Mr. Cloud.
Dr. Dunglison announced the death of the Rev. Dr. Beasley,
who died at Elizabethtown, N. J., on Saturday, 1st November,
1845, in the 78th year of his age.
Dr. Bache announced the death of Mr. David B. Warden, at
Paris, on the 9th October, 1845.
Also, the death of Mr. Samuel Harrison Smith, at Washing-
ton, on the Ist November, 1845, in his 74th year.
On motion of Mr. Kane, Dr. Patterson was appointed to pre-
pare an obituary notice of Mr. Warden.
Prof. Henry, of Princeton, communicated the result of a series of
experiments on electricity made last winter. ‘They had reference,
first, to the discharge of electricity through a long wire, connected
with the earth at the farther end: secondly, to the discharge of a jar
through a wire: and, thirdly, to an attempt to account for the pheno-
mena of dynamic induction. .
Prof. H. first showed, that when a charge of electricity is given to
one end of a wire, the different parts of the wire become charged suc-
cessively, as though a wave of electricity passed along it. He then
showed that the charge passed along the surface of the wire, and not
through its whole mass, as was supposed from the analogy of galva-
nic conduction. Hence he inferred that dynamical electricity obeys
the same laws as the statical. He then detailed some experiments
upon the passage of electricity through plates, and showed that when
a charge was transmitted across a plate, the tension was greatest at
the edges, the electricity apparently exercising a self-repelling action,
while, if the charge were passed through two pieces of tin-foil, these
slips attract each other.
209
Prof. H. believes that it may be justly inferred, from these experi-
ments, that the attraction is due to ponderable matter, while the re-
pulsion is due to electricity ; thus showing that electricity is a sepa-
rate principle, and not a mere property of matter.
Prof. Henry next passed to the subject of the discharge of a jar.
It was necessary, in his experiments, to get rid of the free electricity
arising from the thickness of the glass, and it occurred to him that
this might be done by removing the knob, and making the coating
upon the inside of less area than that upon the outside. With this
arrangement, when the discharge was made through a long wire, and
a test jar brought near it during discharge, a bright spark passed; but
upon approaching the jar to a delicate electrometer, it gave no indica-
tions of free electricity. Reflecting upon this, and upon an experiment
of Prof. Wheatstone’s, Prof. H. was led to believe that the jar is dis-
charged by two waves, a negative and a positive one, starting simul-
taneously from the two ends of the wire. To prove this, he broke the
wire, and interposed a pane of glass dusted with red lead and sulphur ;
two figures of positive and negative electricity were produced. He
made several other experiments tending to prove this same fact. He
showed how these experiments serve to explain that of Dr. Priestley,
where a spark was found to pass between the ends of a long bent
wire, the ends being brought within a few inches of each other.
He next passed to the connexion between statical and dynamical
induction. Statical induction has heretofore only been observed at
short distances. Prof. H.’s first experiment proved that it could be
observed at the distance of nineteen feet, the floor of a chamber inter-
vening, showing that statical induction takes place at great distances,
though not at so great distances as the dynamical. He then ex-
plained his views of the nature of dynamical induction. When a
spark is thrown upon a wire, it passes in a wave, whose length might
be determined if we knew the velocity of electricity; now, if we have
another parallel wire, a negative wave will be formed in this, and the
two waves will travel simultaneously in the same direction. But this
is equivalent to a positive induced wave in the opposite direction. In
this way the phenomena accompanying the discharge of a jar are
easily explained. Again, if we conceive that in a galvanic battery
the discharge consists of a series of such waves, we may very simply
explain the phenomena of galvanic induction.
Mr. Justice stated, that within the last six months he had
planned two observatory buildings, which, so far, had been
210
found perfectly complete and successful; and he called the at-
tention of the members to the fact, that they could be erected
at a much less expense than that of the High School, which
cost about $7000, while these had not cost more than $500 or
$600 a piece. The wall was carried up until near the top
(from 35 to 40 feet), and then curved inwards about 18 inches;
and on it were then laid the timbers upon which the equatorial
was supported. It was then carried up some 18 inches higher,
and the observatory floor laid upon the same wall. The dome
had been made to traverse with great facility by a very simple
contrivance. Plates of boiler iron were made of a circular
form, one of which was attached to the lower edge of the
dome, the other laid down upon the floor. The dome tra-
verses upon balls of iron, about seven inches in diameter.
The Committee appointed on the 5th January, 1844, to re-
vise the By-laws and Regulations of the Society, reported a
series of resolutions.
The list of Committees on business was called over.
Stated Meeting, November 21.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Society of Sciences of Upsal, dated Upsal,
Ist June, 1844, announcing the transmission of the 12th Vol.
of their Transactions.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London. Second Series.
Vol. H. Part VI. with Title and Index to complete the Volume.
Vol. Ill. Parts I. and II. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Horticultural Society of London. Nos. IX. to
XXI. inclusive. January 21, 1840, to December 5, 18438. 8vo.
From the same.
211
Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Com-
merce. Abstract of Proceedings and Transactions, during the
Session 1844-1845; and Premiums for the Sessions 1845-1846,
1846-1847. London, 1845. 8yvo.—From the Society.
Nova Acta Regie Societatis Scientiarum Upsaliensis. Vol. XII.
Upsaliz, 1844. 4to.—From the Society.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From May to October, 1845, inclusive. 8vo.—From
the College.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. II. No. 10. October, 1845. S8vo.—F rom the Editor.
Dissection of a Spermaceti Whale, and three other Cetaceans. By
J. B. S. Jackson, M.D. From the Boston Journal of Natural
History, Vol. V. No. 2. October, 1845. 8vo.—From the Au-
thor.
The list of Committees on subjects of science was read.
The list of Committees on obituary notices was read.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Dr. Wood was appointed to
prepare an obituary notice of Dr. Beasley.
Dr. Patterson exhibited to the Society a diamond, which he
had this day received, enclosed in a letter from Mr. James F.
Cooper, Superintendent of the Branch Mint at Dahlonega.
It was found in Hall County, in the northern part of Georgia, in
conducting the process of washing for gold.
Its weight is 6.8 grains; its specific gravity 3.54. It is a perfect
erystal, in the form of a rhomboidal dodecahedron, with the rounded
faces characteristic of this gem.
Its general outline is oval, somewhat flattened, or havin
language of the lapidary, a good spread.
It had been exhibited to Mr. Isaac Philips, of Philadelphia, a gen-
tleman thoroughly acquainted with the qualities and varieties of dia-
monds, and he pronounced it to be very white, and of the first water.
He said that it bore a strong resemblance to those obtained from
Borneo.
Mr. Cooper states, in his letter to Dr. Patterson, that two similar
specimens had been found in the same locality. A diamond had also
been found in the gold region of North Carolina some years ago, and
was in the possession of Mr. Clemson.
g, in the
212
Mr. Lea described the crystalline forms of the diamond, and
exhibited a specimen of murio-phosphate of lead crystallized,
with curved edges.
Dr. G. Emerson made a communication upon the excessive
mortality of male children, with the causes.
‘Of all the children born, many more are males than females. In
Philadelphia, the excess of males at birth is about 74 per cent. Of
the children that die, much the largest amount are also males; so that
by the 10th year of age, the male numerical advantage at birth of 73
per cent. is nearly lost. By the 15th year, the number of living fe-
males comes to exceed the males about as much as the males did the
females at birth.
Up to the 15th year, there has consequently been a loss of nearly
15 per cent. more males than females. It has been customary to as-
cribe this loss to greater exposure to the weather and accidents on the
part of males. But this does not account for it, since the largest pro-
portion of the mortality occurs during the earlier stages of infancy,
whilst the sexes are subjected to similar circumstances.
By examining into the particular causes which had proved fatal to
many thousands of both sexes, ! found that those diseases by which
the males had been destroyed in the greatest numbers were—inflam-
mation of the brain, and its consequences, convulsions and hydroce-
phalus; inflammations of the lungs, stomach, bowels, &c.; fevers of
all kinds, except scarlet and some others of the eruptive class.
The diseases most destructive to male infants all belong to the
Sthenic class, characterized by excessive inflammatory and febrile
actions, such as attend upon constitutions in which the energies of life
are highly exalted.
The list of diseases in which the deaths of females constitute the
largest proportion, is small, the most prominent being hooping cough
and scarlet fever. ‘These, with all other diseases to which female in-
fants are particularly liable to succumb, appertain to the Asthenic
class, characterized by speedy exhaustion and prostration of the vital
forces.
Upon comparing these results, obtained from data furnished by the
Philadelphia bills of mortality, with others derived from calculations
based upon the British bills, embracing an immense amount of deaths,
I find my conclusions, relative to the controlling agencies exerted
over infantile life by peculiar physiological conditions of the sexes,
fully sustained. The practical bearing of these results of statistical
213
investigation, must be very obvious to physicians. ‘The proneness of
boys to fall victims to diseases of a highly inflammatory character,
must surely call for the adoption of prompt and vigorous means of
reducing the exalted actions of the system, which sustain local in-
flammations, and lead them to terminate in disorganization. In the
treatment of girls, on the contrary, more than ordinary caution should
be observed not to push antiphlogistic measures too far, to guard
against the effects of enfeebling agencies, and provide timely support
to the exhausted energies of the system.
Effects of Hot Weather upon Infantile Mortality.
In the Southern and Middle States of the Union, the direct and in-
direct agencies of high temperature swell the lists of infantile mor-
tality often to a melancholy extent. In some tables published in the
American Journal of the Medical Sciences (Nov. 1831), I showed the
deaths in Philadelphia under the 20th year, at the different seasons,
for a period of five years. ‘Taking the months of June, July, and
August, or three warmest months, the proportion of deaths occurring
under the 2d year of childhood, was about four times greater than
that which occurred during the same months for the whole 18 years
of life succeeding. On the other hand, the sum of the mortality
under the 2d year, for November, December, and January, little ex-
ceeded that of the same months for the succeeding 18 years. These
estimates show, in a striking manner, the direful influences exerted
by hot weather upon infantile life, and the comparatively small injury
sustained from cold. Perhaps the most interesting fact developed by
statistical researches upon this particular subject, is, that the delete-
rious operations of heat are almost entirely confined to the first months
of life, as, after the first year, the influence of the seasons in increasing
infantile mortality is scarcely perceptible.
These investigations were published by me in 1831, since which the
results of other inquiries upon the effects of temperature on life, made
in Europe, have come to hand. These, generally, show an increased
infantile mortality during the winter months, but still they sustain the
law—for such I think it may be considered—that the influence of at-
mospheric temperature upon the infant seems almost lost, after it has
weathered the first months of existence. Among others who have
devoted attention to this topic with confirmatory results, I may refer
to M. Quetelet, in his account of the influence of the seasons upon
mortality at different ages, published in Brussels in 1838.”
VOL. IV.—2 E
214
The resolutions reported at the last meeting, from the Com-
mittee on the By-laws, were taken up for consideration, and
having been amended, the Chair decided that they must lie
over until the next meeting.
On motion of Mr. Ord, the Committee appointed to report
on the condition of the manuscripts of the Society was dis-
charged.
On motion of Mr. Ord, the Librarian was directed to send
a set of the new series of the Transactions of the Society to the
Magnetic and Meteorological Observatory of the Institute of
Mines of St. Petersburg, and to transmit them hereafter as they
appear.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, the Librarian was instructed to
carry into effect henceforth, Chap. VIII. Sect. 3d, of the By-
laws of the Society.
Stated Meeting, December 5.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences, dated 1st
August, 1845, on transmitting the Transactions and Monthly
Proceedings of the Academy :—
From Col. Abert, dated Washington, 3d December, 1845,
acknowledging the receipt of notice of his appointment to pre-
pare an obituary notice of the late Mr. Nicollet: and,—
From Dr. Wood, dated Philadelphia, 27th November, 1845,
accepting the appointment to prepare an obituary notice of the
late Dr. Beasley.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der Koniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Aus dem Jahre, 1848. Berlin, 1845. 4to.—From the
Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin.
215
Bericht tiber die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der
Konig]. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. Aus
dem Jahre, 1845. January to June, inclusive, 6 numbers. 8vo.
July, Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 1844, 4 numbers. 8vo.—From
the same.
Boston Journal of Natural History. Containing Papers and Commu-
nications read before the Boston Society of Natural History, and
published by their direction. Vol, V. No. 2. Boston, 1845.
Svo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Hl. Nos. 10,11. July, August, September, October, 1845.
8vo.— From the Academy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. X. November, 1845. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M.
Patierson.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at Washington,
under Orders of the Hon. Secretary of the Navy, dated Aug. 138,
1838. By Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, U.S. Navy. Washington, 1845.
8vo.—F rom the Author.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. Il. Dec. 1845. No. 36.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Lettre a M. Ph. Fr. de Siebold sur les Collections Ethnographiques.
Par M. Jomard. 8yvo.—From the Author.
Monument a Christophe Colomb. Son Portrait. Par M. Jomard.
8vo.—From the same.
Des Cartes en Relief. Par M. Jomard. 8vo.—From the same.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 548, with Supplementary Num-
ber. Ato.
The list of outstanding Committees on subjects of science
was read.
Dr. Patterson read an obituary notice of the late Mr. Gum-
mere.
The list of outstanding obituary Committees was read.
Dr. Boyé presented a specimen of the true nitric ether, the
article commonly so called being hyponitrous ether, and ex-
plained the mode of obtaining it, and the marked differences
between it and the hyponitrous ether, and referred to a new
method of preparing the latter substance.
216
Prof. Stephen Alexander, of Beier N. J., made a verbal
communication relative to some Miscellaneous Contributions
to Astronomical Science, which he stated he might present in
a more permanent form hereafter.
I. On a Minute Correction in the Position of the Tropic on the
Terrestrial Spheroid.
Prof. Alexander observed, that if the tropic were to be regarded
as the parallel of a place, at which the sun was vertical at the time
of the solstice, then the central ray from the sun must coincide with
the plumb line of the place, upon the tropic, at which it was then
noon. The angle made by this plumb or vertical line, with the
plane of the equator, i. e. the measure of the geographic latitude of
the place, would exceed the angle with the same plane, made by the
line joining the centres of the sun and earth, i. e. the obliquity of the
ecliptic, by a very minute quantity. Prof. A. showed how this ex-
cess might readily be computed. It amounts to but 0''.0217; the
measure of which, on the earth’s meridian, is rather less than 2 feet
x inches.
Il. Ona Region of Continued Twilight.
It being considered as established, that the region of twilight ex-
tended about 18° beyond the terminator, or boundary of sunshine, it
followed, that whenever the sun’s declination was less than 18°, the
pole at which the sun had set, would still be within the region—or
zone as it might be termed—of twilight; and all places within a de-
terminate distance of that pole must revolve within this same region,
and thus, during their whole diurnal rotation, the inhabitants, if any,
of such places, would experience a continued twilight of variable in-
tensity. This circumpolar region must be most extensive within the
arctic circle, about the 17th of October, and the 24th of February;
and within the antarctic circle, about the 14th of April, and the 29th
of August: allowance being made for the encroachment upon the ter-
minator due to refraction, the sun’s semidiameter, &c.
II]. On Temporary Stars.
Prof. A. gave a brief statement of some of the hypotheses which
had been devised to account for the phenomena presented by these
bodies, and then suggested the following modification of one of
them :—
217
A temporary star may be regarded as a sphere having its axis of
rotation oblique to the direction of the star’s place, as seen from the
earth. This sphere, moreover, may be presumed to be in a great
measure opaque; insomuch, that but a small spot on that portion of
it, turned toward the earth, would be luminous, and the situation of
this spot be similar to that of a star on the celestial sphere, near to
the circle of perpetual occultation. Such spot would come some-
what rapidly into view, acquiring very speedily an almost maximum
brightness: the subsequent diminution of its brightness would, more-
over, be as rapid as its increase had been, and during by far the
larger part of the star’s rotation, the luminous portion, and of course
the star itself, would be invisible. This supposes the star to be very
large, or otherwise excessively bright, or else comparatively near;
or some or all of these combined.
IV. On the Dragging of the Shadows of the Earth and other Pla-
nets, as well as those of their Satellites.
Prof. A. remarked, that while the tangent ray, which at any in-
stant was situated in the limit of the earth’s shadow, was subject to
the progressive motion of light, the earth itself moved onward with a
velocity due to its annual motion in its orbit. The limit of the sha-
dow would therefore pass through the points which the successive
tangent rays, after they had left the earth, had at any instant reached.
The whole shadow would, therefore, drag or fall behind the direction
of the line joining the centres of the sun and earth. The angular
amount of this dragging of the shadow would, however, be equal and
opposite to the sun’s annual aberration; insomuch, that the direc-
tion of the shadow would be the opposite to that of the apparent place
_ of the sun, as affected by the annual aberration. A closer investiga-
tion would indicate an essentially similar result with respect to the moon
and planets, when their shadows or penumbre fell upon the earth.
Hence the phenomenon of the dragging would be wholly masked, in
the case of an eclipse of either sun or moon, or that of the transit of
an inferior planet. When, however, the earth was not the body in
question, or the shade did not fall upon the spectator, as in the case
of an eclipse of one of Jupiter’s satellites, an equation must be due to
the dragging of the shadow, though the circumstances might render
its effect insensible to observation. ‘These and the preceding obser-
vations were illustrated by diagrams, and,—
218
V. Prof. A. exhibited also a Diagram of Sundry Curves illustrative
of the Equation of Time.
The first was a curve of contrary flexure, the abscissas of which
were proportionate to time, while the ordinates represented the
amount of equation due to the obliquity of the ecliptic. ‘This curve
intersected the axis of abscissas at the points representing the instants
of the equinoxes and solstices. ‘The second curve was similarly con-
structed, and had the same axis of abscissas, but its ordinates repre- ~
sented the amount of equation due to the elliptical form of the earth’s
orbit, and, consequently, intersected the common axis of abscissas at
the points representing the instants of the earth’s arrival at the aphe-
lion and perihelion. ‘The third curve was formed by referring to a
new, and in all respects similar axis of abscissas, the algebraic sum
of the coexisting ordinates of the two former curves. It intersected
the new axis of abscissas at the points representing the instants at
which the actual equation of time is zero.
By supposing the second curve to change its position by a transfer
along the common axis of abscissas, while the first remained nearly
fixed, it was observed that the changes in the equation of time, for a
period either past or future, might be readily exhibited.
Mr. Justice made the following communication to the So-
ciety :—
Whilst trying some experiments with a five bar horse shoe mag-
net, whose force was equal to raising five pounds in weight, I had
occasion to place a needle afloat on the surface of water contained in
a glass tumbler. ‘The needle accidentally sinking during the experi-
ment, induced me to apply the magnet outside of the tumbler, to raise
it again; this was easily done, the needle following up the side of the
tumbler the poles of the magnet, which were kept on a plane, so as
to admit of it being raised in a horizontal position. To my great
surprise, when the needle was thus raised to the surface of the water,
and the magnet withdrawn, it again floated as though it had not been
wetted ; the experiment was frequently repeated with like results, and
on close observation the particles of water seemed to be unusually
agitated.
The Treasurer, Mr. Ord, presented his account, which, in
accordance with the regulations of the Society, was referred to
the Committee on Finance.
219
The Committee of Publication presented their report, which
was read.
Mr. Frazer, Reporter, presented to the Society No. 33 of
the Proceedings of the Society, just published.
The Society then proceeded to the consideration of the re-
solutions reported by the Committee on By-laws, and amended
at the last meeting of the Society.
On motion of Mr. Fraley, the subject was referred back to
the Committee, with instructions to report forthwith; which
being complied with, the resolutions were reported in an
amended form.
Special Meeting, December 16.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacuez, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called at the
request of a Committee appointed to take such steps as might
seem to them expedient, in consequence of the claim of the
executors of the late Mr. Nathan Dunn, against the Society.
The Committee having reported, the subject was referred to
a Committee, consisting of Mr. Cope, Mr. T. Biddle, Mr. Van-
derkemp, Mr. Dillingham, and Mr. Ord, who were authorized
to associate with themselves such other members as they should
think proper.
Stated Meeting, December 19.
Present, thirty-three members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The Right Rey. Dr. Potter, Bishop of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church for the Diocese of Pennsylvania, was introduced,
and took his seat.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Secretary of State to Mr. J. R. Ingersoll, dated
220
Washington, 16th December, 1845, in reference to the furnish-
ing the Society with Congressional documents: —
From the same Department, dated Washington, 11th De-
cember, 1845, announcing the transmission of a donation to the
Library of the Society: —
From the Regents of the University of New York, dated
Albany, 9th December, 1845, acknowledging the receipt of the
Proceedings of the Society, Vol. IX. No. 33: and,—
From the Royal Society of Sciences, Agriculture, and Arts,
of Lille, dated Lille, 17th October, 1845, acknowledging the
receipt of seven volumes of the Transactions of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢me Série. Tome VI. Juillet, Aofit. Nos.
25, 26. S8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. ‘Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome III.
Paris, 1845. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.
Message of the President of the United States to the Two Houses
of Congress, at the Commencement of the First Session of the
Twenty-ninth Congress. Washington, December, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXI. Decem-
ber, 1845. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Socvety.
Report of the Commissioners appointed by authority of the City
Council, to examine the Sources from which a Supply of Pure
Water may be obtained for the City of Boston. City Document,
No. 41. Boston, 1845. 8vo.—From Walter R. Johnson, Esq.
Memoir on the Language and Inhabitants of Lord North’s Island.
From the Memoirs of the American Academy. — By John Picker-
ing. Cambridge (Mass.), 1845. 4to.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Academie des
Sciences. Tome XXI. Nos. 9 to 16, inclusive. 1st Septem-
ber to 20th October, 1845. 4to.
The list of outstanding Committees on subjects of science,
and on obituary notices of deceased members, were read.
A communication for the Magellanic Premium, entitled
“¢Memoir on the Parallectic Kye-piece, an Optical Combina-
221
tion for the Astronomical Determination of Minute Angular
Changes,’’ was presented, and being read in part, was referred
to the officers and council.
Mr. Franklin Peale submitted to the examination of the
members of the Society, some specimens of the manufacture of
Gum-elastic Goods, by Mr. Goodyear, of New Haven, Conn.,
the inventor and patentee, and remarked upon the changes
produced by the combination of a variety of inorganic sub-
stances, particularly the oxides of lead, &c. with this gum.
Mr. Peale observed, that the gum, in its ordinary state, was much
affected by temperature, a fact familiar to every one, and was soluble
in some of the oils and spirits, by which its value in the arts was much
diminished; the articles exhibited were free from this inconvenience,
retaining in the lowest temperature of the external air, all their pre-
sent softness and pliability. He showed, also, that the elasticity was
increased, and stated that they were no longer subject to the action of
the usual solvents of this curious substance.
Mr. Peale directed the attention of the members to the beauty of the
impressions of a finely engraved copper plate, upon the sheet gum,
which being of uniform substance, without fibre, received the ink of
the most delicate lines, more distinctly and beautifully than the finest
paper. The samples shown were in the form of portable maps,
which could be put in the pocket like a handkerchief.
Fancy table covers, ornamented with silver and gold, bronze, some
of which had been bleached, and others left of the natural colour, to-
gether with crumb cloths, bathing mats, &c. were also shown.
Mr. Peale also mentioned, that the articles presented, were a few
of the many useful and fanciful applications which the ingenious in-
ventor had made by his improved process, and that the manufac-
turers were now principally employed in the production of articles of
necessity and utility.
Professor Henry presented a paper, by Capt. Stockton, de-
tailing experiments upon the bursting of cannon. The result
of the experiments was, that the gun is not more liable to
burst when there is an air space between the powder and
ball, than when the wad is rammed home.
The communication gave rise to observations from Dr. Pat-
terson, Prof. Henry, Mr. Ord, Prof. Frazer and Dr. Bache.
Professor Henry asked for information in regard to the ex-
VOL. IV.—2 F
222
periment related by Mr. Justice at the last meeting of the So-
ciety, and stated it as his belief, that if the needle had been
carefully examined it would have been found not to be wetted.
Dr. Patterson reminded the Society, that about two years
ago he had described a speaking automaton, which had been
made and afterwards destroyed by Mr. Joseph Faber. He re-
ferred to various attempts which had been made to accomplish
this object, which had been but partially successful, although
universally regarded as the results of great ingenuity on the
part of their inventors. ‘The automaton in question could pro-
nounce all words. Since then Mr. Faber has made a new in-
strument similar to the former, which was completed only a
few days ago. Dr. P. stated, that he had witnessed its per-
formances, and that they were at least equal to those of its pre-
decessor; all words are produced by it as in the former instru-
ment by various combinations of sixteen elementary sounds.
The Committee on Finance reported that they had examined
the Treasurer’s report, and found it correct, and recommended
certain yearly appropriations, which were agreed to.
The list of outstanding Committees on business, was read.
Mr. Peale, on behalf of the Curators to obtain the standards
of measure, reported in part.
On motion of Mr. Fraley, the Committee on Mr. Parker’s
claim was discharged, and the unfinished business referred to
the Committee on Finance.
The Curators charged with removing the skeleton of the ele-
phant from the Philadeiphia Museum to the Hall, were dis-
charged from the duty.
The Librarian was discharged from the farther duty of dis-
posing of the copies of Mr. Du Ponceau’s Essay on the Chinese
Language.
The Society proceeded to the consideration of the resolu-
tions reported by the Committee on the By-laws, which, on
motion, were adopted, in the following form:—
«¢ A resident member, who shall allow himself to be indebted for
the annual contribution of three successive years, shall be deemed to
have forfeited his membership; provided, however, that the Commit-
tee of Finance may, at their discretion, in any particular case, sus-
pend the action of this paragraph.
223
“‘ Between the months of August and November, inclusive, of each
year, the Treasurer shall give notice in writing, to such members as
may become liable, after the first Friday of January following, to the
operation of the last paragraph of the 1Uth Section of the First Chap-
ter of the Laws: and on the first Friday of February, he shall re-
port to the Society all such forfeitures as may have taken place, as
aforesaid.”
aA
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ies HAN! af seins como ay ni
‘ie Posie; ibe bashiael x) Uh at aca ie ‘aa
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AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL
Vou. IV.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
JANUARY—JUNE, 1846.
Stated Meeting, January 2.
Present, twenty members.
SOCIETY.
No. 35.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The report of the election of officers for the ensuing year
was read.
President.
N. Chapman, M.D.
Vice-Presidents.
R. M. Patterson, M.D.
Franklin Bache, M.D.
A. D. Bache, LL.D.
Secretaries.
J. K. Kane,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.
A. L. Elwyn, M.D.,
Joe Wrazen:
Counsellors.
Thomas Biddle,
Isaac Lea,
Hartman Kuhn,
T. P. Cope.
Curators.
Franklin Peale,
J. P. Wetherill,
J. C. Cresson.
Treasurer:
George Ord.
VOL. IV.—-2 &
226
Letters were announced and read:—
From Mr. John B. Sartori, dated Leghorn, 1st November,
1845, in reference to the specimen of what he believes to be
“fixed mercury,” forwarded by him to the Society:—
From Dr. Wm. B. Carpenter, dated London, December 3d,
1845, acknowledging the receipt of the notice of his election
as a member of the Society: —
From Sir William Jardine, dated Jardine Hall, 21st Novem-
ber, 1845, acknowledging the notice of his election:—
From Messrs. J. H. Alexander and A. D. Bache, announcing
donations to the Society: and,—
From the Zoological Society of London, dated May, 1845,
acknowledging the reception of the Proceedings of this So-
ciety.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. Vol. IV. Part III.
1844-5. Nos. 102,103. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part XII. 1844.
8vo.—From the Society.
Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of
London, read at the Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1845.
S8vo.—From the same.
Title and Index to Vol. VI. of the Monthly Notices of the Royal As-
tronomical Society of London.— From the Society.
Catalogo Metodico dei Mammiferi Europei di Carlo L. Principe Bo-
naparte. Milano, 1845. 4to.—F rom the Author.
Specchio Generale dei Sistemi Erpetologico, Anfibiologico ed Ittio-
logico di Carlo L. Principe Bonaparte. Milano, 1845. 4to.—
From the same.
Catologo Metodico dei Ciprinidi d’Europa e Ritievi sul Volume XVIE.
dell’Istoria Naturale dei Pesci del Sig. Valenciennes di Carlo L.
Principe Bonaparte. Milano, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
Report on the Standards of Weight and Measure for the State of
Maryland; and on the Construction of the Yard Measures. By
J. H. Alexander. Baltimore, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
X. December, 1845. No. 6. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
220
Map of New York Bay and Harbour. ‘Two sheets, which complete
the Map, the whole being composed of six sheets.—From Prof.
A. D. Bache.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, being the
First Session of the 28th Congress, begun and held in the City of
Washington, December 4, 18438, and in the Sixty-eighth Year of
the Independence of the United States. Washington, 1843. 8vo.
From the Hon. James Buchanan, Secretary of State.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States. First
Session, 28th Congress. Washington, 1844. 8vo.—From the
same.
Public Documents, printed by order of the Senate of the United
States. First Session, 28th Congress. Six Volumes. Wash-
ington, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
Executive Documents. First Session, 28th Congress. Six Volumes.
Washington, 1843, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
Reports of Committees. First Session, 28th Congress. Three Vo-
lumes. Washington, 1843, 1844. 8vo.—From the same.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 549, with Supplementary Num-
ber. to.
Prof. Frazer, on the part of the Committee on Major Gra-
ham’s paper, reported progress.
Mr. Daniel B. Smith read a portion of a letter from Prof.
Henry, of Princeton, that referred to a paper by Mr. Faraday,
relating to a new discovery in regard to the polarization of light,
and stating that he had repeated with success the experiments
of Mr. Faraday.
Stated Meeting, January 16.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Perpetual Secretary of the First Class of the
Royal Institute of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, dated July
228
25, 1845, informing the Society that Vol. XI. of the New
Memoirs of the Institute was forwarded, and acknowledging
the reception of the Proceedings of this Society, and of Dr.
Dunglison’s Eulogy on its late President, P. S. Du Ponceau,
Esq :—
From Col. Totten, dated Washington, Jan. 8th, 1846, an-
nouncing a donation to the Library :—
From Professor Frazer, resigning the office of Secretary:
and,—
From the Secretary of the Society for the Encouragement
of Arts, dated London, 17th June, 1845, acknowledging the
reception of the Proceedings of this Society, and of Dr. Dun-
glison’s Eulogy on P. S. Du Ponceau, Esq.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu
Gottingen. Zweiter Band. Von den Jahren, 1842—1844. Gét-
tingen, 1845. 4to.—From the Royal Society of Gottingen.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Neder-
landsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone
Kunsten te Amsterdam. Elfde Deel. (Vol. XI.) Amsterdam,
1845. 4Ato.—From the Netherlands Institute.
Het Instituut, of Verslagen en Mededeelingen, uitgegeven door de
Vier Klassen van het Koninklijk Nederlandsche Instituut van
Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten, over den
Jare, 1844. Nos. 8 and 4. 1845. No. 1. S8vo.—From the
same.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Janu-
ary, 1846. No.1. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXI. New Series. Jan. 1846. 8vo.—From
the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Jan. 1846. No. 37. 8vo.—From
Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
An Introductory Lecture, delivered before the Class of Institutes of
Medicine, in Jefferson Medical College, November 3, 1845. By
Robley Dunglison, M.D. 8vo.—From the Author.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
229
Silliman, B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana. Second Series.
Vol. I. January, 1846. No.1. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Annual Message of the Governor of Pennsylvania, transmitted to the
Senate and House of Representatives, Jan. 7, 1846. 8vo.—From
C. B. Trego, Esq.
Twenty-ninth Congress, First Session, House of Representatives,
Document No. 2. Message of the President of the United States,
to the Two Houses of Congress, Dec. 2,1845. 8vo.—From the
Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.
Twenty-ninth Congress, First Session, Senate, Document No. 13.
Report from the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a
Report from the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, showing the
Progress of the Work under his charge during the year ending
November, 1845. 8vo.—From Prof. A. D. Bache.
The Committee on Major,Graham’s paper, on the Dip of
the Magnetic Needle in 1842, 1843, 1844, reported in favour
of its publication in the Transactions of the Society, and it was
so ordered.
Dr. Patterson alluded to the letter of Prof. Henry, read at
the last meeting, and read a portion of a second letter from the
same gentleman, in which he describes the manner in which
he had repeated the experiments of Mr. Faraday.
This consists in producing, in pure water and other liquids, a
new arrangement of particles, by which they become possessed of
the property of circular polarization, during the time a current of
galvanism is circulating around them. ‘The arrangement I employed
was as follows:—A tube of glass was filled with pure water, and the
ends closed with plates of glass; this was placed in the axis of an
iron tube, and this again inserted into the axis of a coil consisting
of about eight hundred feet of copper wire. ‘The ends of the iron
tube were closed with corks, through one of which was passed a
Nicoll’s prism, and in the axis of the other was fastened a plate of
tourmaline. This tube being directed to the clear sky, and the tour-
maline, which was placed next the eye, so turned that it presented a
dark field of view, a current of galvanism from twenty-two cups of
Daniell’s battery was passed through the coil. At the moment of
making the communication with the battery, the field became light;
and when the circuit was broken, it again appeared dark. A slight
rotation of the tourmaline also produced darkness while the galvanic
230
current was passing, which indicated a twist in the plane of polariza-
tion of the prolonged beam. ‘The same effect was produced without
the iron tube, but not to the same extent.
Dr. Boyé communicated to the Society the results of an
Analysis of a Concretion from a Horse’s Stomach, performed
by Mr. Charles M. Wetherill and himself.
This concretion, for a fuller description of which, in connexion
with its history, Dr. B. referred to his friend, Dr. B. H. Coates, by
whom it was handed to him for examination, is remarkable for its
size, weighing 114 Ibs. It is of an oval shape, smooth surface,
brownish-grey colour, and breaks in concentric layers of different
degrees of thickness, exhibiting a fibrous or radiated structure. The
outer layer alone was analyzed. The concretion was found, by Dr.
Coates, to contain a nail in its centre.
By a qualitative examination, it was found to consist of phosphoric
acid, magnesia, ammonia, chemically combined water, a small por-
tion of organic matter, and silex. It contained no lime. In order to
determine quantatively these ingredients, a portion was dissolved in
dilute hydrochloric acid; the insoluble residue collected on a coun-
terpoised filter, dried and weighed; after incineration and weighing,
it yielded insoluble inorganic matter 0.45 per cent., which, de-
ducted from its former weight, gives insoluble organic matter 0.64
per cent.
To the filtered solution was added a weighed portion of iron wire,
dissolved in nitro-muriatic acid, and the whole then precipitated by
ammonia. Having previously ascertained the amount of peroxide of
iron yielded by an equal portion of the same iron wire, the difference
in weight of these two precipitates gave for the phosphoric acid,
32.40 per cent.
To the filtered solution from the phosphoric acid, was added caus-
tic potash in excess, and the whole boiled until the ammoniacal va-
pours were effectually expelled, and the solution gave a strong alka-
line reaction. ‘The magnesia thus obtained was collected upon a
filter, washed with boiling water, incinerated and weighed; it yielded
magnesia, 14.45 per cent.
Another portion of the powdered concretion dried over sulphuric
acid in vacuo at ordinary temperatures, yielded hygrometric mois-
ture, 1 per cent.; incinerated, it yielded volatile matter (water and
ammonia), 51.70 per cent.
231
In order to determine the amount of ammonia, another portion of
the powder was introduced into a small tubulated retort, with carbo-
nate of soda and water. The neck of the retort was adapted to a
small tubulated receiver containing dilute hydrochloric acid, and
having adapted to its tubulure a nitrogen bulb, such as is used in ul-
timate organic analysis; this also contained dilute hydrochloric acid.
The mixture in the retort was evaporated to dryness; and at the
close of the operation, air was drawn through the apparatus to insure
the absorption of the last portion of ammonia. The ammonia thus
obtained was estimated by precipitation by chloride of platinum, as
in organic analysis, and yielded 0.71 per cent.
Hence the composition of the concretion is as follows :—
Phosphoric acid, - - - 32.40 per cent.
Magnesia, - - - 14.45 3
Water, - - - - 50.35 5
Ammonia, - - - aida a
Insoluble inorganic matter, - A5 is
Insoluble organic matter, - = A cy ote
Hygroscopic moisture, - - LOO.
100.00
It will be seen from this, that the amount of ammonia is too small
to be considered an essential ingredient of the concretion. Assuming
it to exist in the state of double phosphate of ammonia and magnesia
with water (NH*O, 2MgO, PO* + 2HO + 10HO), and deducting
the amount of this salt from the rest (omitting the insoluble matter
and hygroscopic moisture), it will be seen that the concretion is com-
posed mainly of the phosphate of magnesia and water, according to
the following formula 3MgO + 8HO + 2PO% + 21 aqua, as will
be seen from the following comparison :—
By Experiment. By Calculation.
Phos. acid, 33.06 2PO5, 33.70
Magnesia, 14.55 3Mzg0, 15.20
Water, 51.89 24Aq. 51.10
100.00 100.00
Dr. Coates mentioned some of the symptoms which attended
the formation of this concretion, and that it had not been re-
232
marked as producing inconvenience to the animal, till a week
before its death. Dr. Coates supposed it was found in the ce-
cum, and not in the stomach. This inference was drawn part-
ly from the authority of Berzelius in cases of similar concre-
tions, and partly from anatomical and physiological considera-
tions. Dr. Coates mentioned also, that he had found the trico-
cephalus in the human ccecum after death.
The list of the surviving members of the Society was read;
from which it appears, that the whole number is 353. Two
hundred and forty-six reside in the United States, and one
hundred and seven in foreign countries. Ten deaths have
been announced to the Society during the year.
Mr. George Ord was reélected Librarian.
The following standing Committees were appointed:
Of Finance.—Mr. C. C. Biddle, Dr. Patterson, Mr. Lea.
Of Publication.—Mr. Lea, Dr. Hays, Mr. J. F. Fisher.
On the Hall.—Mr. Campbell, Mr. Fraley, Mr. Kane.
On the Library.—Dr. Hays, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Pening-
ton.
The Society then proceeded to ballot for new members.
The Committee appointed to take charge of the claim of the
Exxecutors of the late Nathan Dunn, against the Society, made
a verbal report, and requested to be discharged, to which the
Society consented.
The business of the evening being concluded, the ballot
boxes were opened, and the foliowing gentlemen declared by
the presiding officer to be elected members of the Society:
Henry Horzranp, M.D. F.R.S., of London.
Professor Joun Muuxer, of Berlin.
Hon. James Bucuanan, of Lancaster, Pa.
233
Stated Meeting, February 6.
Present, thirty-five members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston, dated
January 31, 1846, enclosing a report of a Committee of the
Academy, calling the attention of this Society to the subject
of Meteorological Observations in North America, and sug-
gesting some alterations and improvements in the present sys-
tem :—
From the Imperial Society of Naturalists of Moscow, dated
Sept. 11, 1845, announcing the transmission of some numbers
of the Bulletin of that Society :—
From the Society of Natural History in the Mauritius: and,
From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna, Feb. 8,
1845, informing the Society that he had sent to it, as a dona-
tion, a set of the Vienna Review, for 1844, and another work.
The following donations were annaunced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou. ‘Tome
XVIII. Année 1845. Nos. 2 and 3. Moscou, 1845. 8vo.—
From the Society.
Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library. Albany, Jan.
9,1846. 8yvo.—From the Trustees.
Jahrbiicher der Literatur. January to December, 1844. Vienna.
8vo.—From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall.
Zeitwarte des Gebeles in Sieben Tageszeiten. Ein Gebetbuch, Ara-
bisch und Deutsch. Herausgegeben von Hammer Purgstall.
Wein, 1844. 12mo.—From the Author.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IV. Feb. 1846. No. 38.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea 5; Blanchard.
Address delivered at the University of Pennsylvania, before the Phi-
lomathean Society, May 23d, 1845. By Henry D. Gilpin. 8vo.
From the Author.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 550, and Supplement. 4to.
VOL. IV.—2 H
234
Mr. Nulty read a paper “On the Determination of Azimuths
in a Geodesical Survey, from a Series of Observations of Po-
laris.”’
This star, when towards its maximum elongation from the meri-
dian of a station, has been found to give more consistent and uniform
results than observations of the swn, and should therefore be exclu-
sively preferred at all geodesical stations, which require a high de-
gree of accuracy in their respective bearings. ‘The principal data
employed in the computation of an azimuth, chiefly depend on the
instrument used by the observer. With the repeating circle, a num-
ber of angular distances forming a series may be taken vertically,
between the star, near its greatest eastern or western elongation, and
a corresponding signal placed in the horizon; or a like series of ho-
rizontal angles may be observed by means of a theodolite. Both
modes of observation will lead to accurate results; but when the star
is viewed successively near its greatest eastern and also near its
greatest western elongation from the meridian of the station, so as to
suard against imperfection in the instrument, the latter is preferred
as having superior advantages. ‘This mode of observing Polaris
has been lately adopted in the U. S. Coast Survey, by its present
superintendent. It must give to the azimuthal bearings of that ex-
tensive work every requisite precision. The brief notice here taken
will enable the mathematician to form a sufficient idea of the problem
of azimuths by Polaris, as considered by the author of the paper now
under report. ‘The several instants of observation with the elonga-
tions of the star, and the known latitude of the station, are the essen-
tial elements of solution; but, instead of introducing them into the
usual general expressions for azimuths, which in case of one or seve-
ral series would be attended with excessive labour, the author em-
ploys special formulz immediately bearing on the observed positions
of the star, and by which the practical computation of azimuths by
Polaris, is reduced to almost the same facility as that of latitude. It
is hardly necessary, in a summary of this nature, to describe mi-
nutely the character of the formule investigated in the paper. They
correspond in general to three positions of Polaris, taken as an origin
or mean instant of a series; the first being the time of maximum
elongation, the second involving a horary angle of six hours from the
meridional passages at the station, and the third referring to a more
general position of the star, not, however, far distant from its plane
at greatest elongation. In a mathematical sense, they have each
235
some analytical advantage; and an expert computer will use them
and their adjunct differential expression with equal facility in refer-
ence to the mean instant of his data. The author appears to have
had considerable experience in testing their practical application, and
from such, gives a partiality to his leading formule, as connected
with the more favourable position of the star, and as having brevity
and easy recollection to recommend them. In concluding his paper,
he mentions “ Puissant Geodesie,” (edition of 1842,) and Strune’s
Gradmessing, as standard writers in France and Germany, on these
and similar subjects. He regretted not having the advantage of see-
ing these works, and referred to them only through a notice of Prof.
A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the Coast Survey, who has sent to
him a short transcript of two formule (one from each work), which
are different from those forming the principal objects of his paper,
and which must be seen in their respective authors, to seize their ap-
plication and their presumed advantage.
Professor J. C. Cresson gave a brief account of the demoli-
tion of Mr. Paul Beck’s shot tower, in the western part of the
city. The height of the structure was about 160 feet, and the
walls six feet in thickness at the base.
The walls were cut away near the base on the whole of the north-
ern side, and partly on the eastern and western, the parts thus un-
dermined being temporarily supported by shores of timber. When
the undermining was completed, an unsuccessful attempt was made
to remove the shores by means of gunpowder; and while the work-
men were preparing a second charge of powder, the base of the
building was suddenly protruded toward the south, and the whole
fabric crumbled into fragments, collapsing, as it were, upon its own
base, and the ruins occupying but little more ground area than the
original structure.
The following communication, relating to observations made
at the Washington and Philadelphia High School Observato-
ries, on the two Biela comets, was brought before the Society,
by Dr. Patterson.
Washington, D. C. Feb. 5, 1846.
Dear Sir,—I send you the measures of the position and distance
of the two Biela comets, made at the Washington and High School
Observatories. The angles of position are measured from the north
round the circle eastward. The time is mean time, Washington Ob-
servatory. The results are as yet only approximate, not having
been rigorously computed.
236
DATE. Observatory. pein B | Distances. | Rate
rom of A.
January 14d 6k 51m | Wash. 322.4 98. 0.2
18 6 46 3 325.0 130. 0.3
19 6 38 An 325.9 131. 0.3
223.9 1 1) 325.8 145. 0.4
22) VAD Phila. 330.0 145. 0.4
2375ni ee Wash. 327.8 147. 0.4
DAM 12s s 326.4 152. 0.5
Ba Day Phila. 329.1 152. 0.5
26 6 35 Wash. 327.7 156. 0.6
PS @ Aly Ay} 330.0 169. 0.7
YS G9 By Phila. 829.6 178. 0.7
February 4 6 39 Wash. 333.9 22)Ns 0.7
B is the fainter comet. Both A and B have a condensation of
light in the centre of their nebulosities. Both have a tail extending
from the comet opposite the sun about 4’. Both the nebulosities when
the moonlight is absent, seem to blend very faintly at their outer
border.
The above descriptions and measures are furnished with the con-
sent of Messrs. Maury and Kendall.
I submit, with some hesitation, an opinion respecting these singu-
lar objects.
In a period of 21 days of observation, the difference in place of
each from that of Santuri’s Ephemeris of the Biela comet is quite
uniform, in traversing an are of 15° of apparent motion im the
heavens. Hence they would seem to be components of Biela’s co-
met.
The objects are so indefinite in their shape that you will notice a
great discrepancy in the measured positions and distances. By taking
an average of several consecutive evenings, except for the 4th of
February, which depends on one night’s work, I find the following
results :—
Log. dist.| B from A in
Daily comet {parts ofearth’s
increase.| from j|mean distance] Daily increase.
earth |foreshortened.
Bfrom A} Daily
Position.| increase.
B from A
Distance
Jan. 18.d79 | 325°.2 130” | 1 49 | 9.8783 | 0.004762
23.428 | 327°.8 | 7 po\4p | 148” £53 | 9.8634 | 0.008238 | HO-ANNIS
28.098 | 8299.8 | Tjo‘s3 | 174” | 1 57'3 | 2.8346 | 0.0005764 | Ty goo5116
Feb. 4.428 | 393°.5 | +°°-93 | o11” 9.8082 | 0.0006578 | +
237
From these data it would seem that the apparent secondary revo-
lution of B round the common centre of gravity of B and A is at
the rate of about one half a degree per day, and the foreshortened
daily departure of B from A in space, is about 1000 miles, and that
so far, the revolution round each other, and the increase of distance
asunder, are nearly uniform.
I am quite unable to give any theoretical explanation of the phe-
nomenon.
Yours, truly,
S. C. WALKER.
To Prof. A. D. Bacur, LL.D.
Prof. A. D. Bache made some remarks on the progress of
the coast survey, under his superintendence, and illustrated
them by a number of diagrams.
On motion of Dr. Elwyn, the letter from the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences was referred to a committee,
consisting of Dr. Emerson, Mr. Charles M‘Ewen, and Prof.
Cresson.
Stated Meeting, February 20.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was announced and read:—
From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, dated
Boston, Feb. 8, 1846, inviting the codperation of the American
Philosophical Society, in a petition to Congress, to print an
additional number of copies of the Reports of the U. S, Ex-
ploring Expedition.
The communication was referred to a Committee, consist-
ing of Dr. Elwyn, Prof. Frazer, and Dr. Patterson.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Geological Society of London. With Plates in
illustration of the Papers abstracted. Session 1844—45. Vol.
IV. No. 104. Part 3. 8yo.—Fvrom the Society.
238
Proceedings of the London Electrical Society. Sessions of 1842-8.
Edited by the Secretary. London, July 1, 1842. 8vo.—From
the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. H. No. 12. Nov. Dec. 1845. 8vo.—From the Academy.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. I. No. 2. October, 1843. S8vo.—From the Editor.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. XJ. January, 1846. No. 1. 8vo.—From Dr.
Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Feb-
ruary, 1846. No.2. 8vo—From the American Colonization
Society.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge. For the Year 1846. 12mo.—From Petty
Vaughan, Esq.
Notes on the Iroquois; or Contributions to the Statistics, Aboriginal
History, Antiquities and General Ethnology of Western New
York. By Henry D. Schoolcraft. New York, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Author.
A Brief Account of the Processes employed in the Assay of Gold and
Silver Coins, at the Mint of the United States. 8Svo.—From Dr.
Robert M. Patterson.
Act of January 18, 1837, relative to the Mint and Coinage of the
United States. 8vo.—From the same.
The Committee appointed at the last meeting to report upon
the communication from the Academy of Arts and Sciences,
offered the following resolutions.
Resolved, That the American Philosophical Society adopt the
recommendation of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
to unite with them in a memorial to the Government, asking
an extension of meteorological observations to remote military
posts, to some of the posts and lighthouses on our coasts, and
to certain other points to be designated in the memorial.
Resolved, That the Franklin Institute of Pennsylvania be
invited to join in said memorial, and ina circular to the Legis-
latures of the States, and to individuals.
Dr. Boyé exhibited to the Society a specimen of Brown He-
matite Ore from Chester Ridge, three-fourths of a mile west of
239
Chester Furnace, Huntingdon County, Pa., containing a small
quantity of Oxide of Cobalt,—the surface of the ore is in
some places covered with a thin film of oxide of cobalt. It
also contains a moderate proportion of manganese.
The ore was dissolved in chlorohydric acid, the solution neutral-
ized by ammonia, and then the iron precipitated by boiling, after
previous dilution with water. The oxide of cobalt which remained
in the solution with the manganese, was discovered both by its reac-
tion in the moist way, and by the blue bead it yielded with salt of
phosphorus.
Dr. B. also stated that by a visit to Colemanville Iron Works, Lan-
caster County, Pa., he had found on the outer surface of the coal-
pits for charring wood, a yellowish white deposition.
On examining this deposition it was found to consist of acetate of
lime. By dissolving it in water and treating it with animal charcoal,
the acetate of lime was obtained perfectly colourless. Dr. Boyé re-
marked, that the lime was probably derived from the soil, but as ace-
tate of lime was not volatile, it must be carried up mechanically by
the vapours of pyroligneous acid and other volatile substances, given
off by the process of charring.
Mr. Haldeman called the attention of the Society to the ap-
parent projection of a planet on the disk of the moon, while
observing occultations. ‘This appearance he ascribed to a state
of tension of the retina, which preserved the impression of the
object after the eye was removed from it. Further remarks
were made on the subject by Prof. Frazer, Drs. Dunglison,
Patterson, Coates, Bache, and Mr. G. W. Smith.
Dr. Coates observed, that though he had not been able to verify
all the laws of ocular spectra described by Charles Darwin, a cir-
cumstance which inclined him to the opinion that these phenomena
were materially modified in different individuals, he had observed the
sudden disappearance of spectra. Spectra did not decline indefi-
nitely, or till the death of the individual experiencing them, by the
law of an infinite series; they terminated abruptly. Our eyes were
not constructed with mathematical exactness, nor capable of indefi-
nite minuteness; resembling, in this respect, those of many insects
in which a great number of facets replaced the surface of a sphere.
Various irregular, nervous sounds, produced in the ear, also termi-
240
nated abruptly. There appeared to take place in the nervous expan-
sions of the organs of sense, a process resembling that of attention,
as exhibited in the operations of the brain; and this was frequently
the cause why our perceptions were at one time so much keener than
at others.
Dr. Patterson exhibited to the Society a second diamond
from Hall County, Georgia, nearly three carats in weight, and
considered to be of the first water. Mr. Peale stated that he
had a specimen of granular quartz, supposed to be the gang of
the diamond, that was decidedly fiexible.
Stated Meeting, March 6.
Present, sixteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was read from the New York Historical Society,
dated New York, February 26, 1846, in relation to the print-
ing, by Congress, of only one hundred copies of the Memoirs
on Subjects of Science, prepared by gentlemen of the United
States Exploring Expedition, and it was referred to the Com-
mittee appointed on the same subject at the last meeting.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. XI. Feb. 1846. No.2. 8vo.—From Dr. Pat-
terson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IV. March, 1846. No.
39. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Annual Report of the Directors and Physicians of the Kentucky Lu-
natic Asylum to the Legislature. December Session, 1845.
Frankfort, Ky. 1846. 8vo.—From the Kentucky Historical
Society.
Report from the Secretary of the Treasury, communicating a Report
of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, showing the progress
241
of the Work under his charge, during the year ending Novem-
ber, 1845. 8vo.—From Prof. A. D. Bache.
Eighth Geological Report to the Twenty-sixth General Assembly
of the State of Tennessee, made November Ist, 1845. By G.
Troost, M.D.—From the Author.
The Oregon Question. By Albert Gallatin. New York, 1846.
8vo.—From the New York Historical Society.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 551. Ato.
The Committee, consisting of Mr. A. D. Bache, Dr. R. M.
Patterson, and Mr. T. M‘Ewen, on the paper of Mr. Nulty,
entitled, “On the Determination of Azimuths by the Star Po-
laris,” reported in favour of publication, which was accord-
ingly ordered.
Dr. Bache informed the Society of the death, on the 4th of
March, of Mr. Joseph Reed, aged 73.
Mr. Peale offered, for the examination of members, a speci-
men of the flexible granular quartz referred to at the last meet-
ing.
Prof. Kendall read a letter from Prof. Stephen Alexander,
suggesting for consideration the following hypothesis, to ac-
count for the peculiarities in the appearance of Von Biela’s
comet. It supposes a partial change to have taken place simi-
lar to that which, according to Sir John Herschell, would seem
to have been experienced by Halley’s comet about the time of
its perihelion passage in 1835.
The central portion of Von Biela’s comet has been transformed
into invisible vapour, and the portion designated by Lieut. Maury
as “ Biela,” seems to be more sensitive to such a change than “ No.
2.” The progress of this change would seem to account for—
1st. The apparent rupture of the comet.
2d. The seeming recess of the two portions, as observed by Mr.
Walker.
3d. The comparative decay of “Biela” observed by Lieut. Maury.
Ath. The comparative increase of the same since the perihelion
passage, observed by the same astronomer. "
5th. The light arch of cometary matter mentioned in Lieut. Mau-
ry’s account of his observation, Feb. 19th.
VOL. IV.— 2 I
242
6th. If the hypothesis is true, the two portions will probably soon
appear to be reunited.
Prof. Kendall also stated some of the results of his own observa-
tions, which agree with those above referred to. He had observed
the comet ‘Biela” on the previous evening, but could find no trace
of “No. 2,” though perhaps it might have been seen under more fa-
vourable atmospheric circumstances.
Prof. Kendall referred to a new comet, discovered at Cam-
bridge, Mass., and which had also been seen at Washington.
Stated Meeting, March 20.
Present, twenty-eight members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From Mr. John Cook, informing the Society of a donation
to its Library, from Prof. Schréder of Upsala, Sweden,
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Mémoires de ? Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.
Vime. Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome Sixiéme. Seconde Partie: Sciences Naturelles. Tome
quatri¢me, 6me. livraison. Saint-Pétersbourg, 1845. 4to.—
From the Imperial Academy of Si. Pétersbourg.
Mémoires de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.
Vime. Série. Sciences Politiques, Histoire, Philologie. Tome
cingquicme. 5me. et 6me. livraison. Saint-Pétersbourg, 1845.
Ato.—From the same.
Mémoires présentés a Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-
Pétersbourg. Par divers Savans, et lus dans ses Assemblées.
Tome quatricme. 6me. livraison. Saint-Pétersbourg. 1845.
Ato.—From the same.
Recueil des Actes de la Séance Publique de ’ Académie Impériale
des Sciences de Saint-Petersbourg, tenue le 29 Décembre, 1844.
243
Avec les Portraits de Ph. Krug et de C. B. Trinius. Saint-
Pétersbourg, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XIX.
Part the Fourth. London, 1845. 4to.—From the Society.
List of the Linnean Society of London. 1845. 4to.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London. Nos. XXIII, XXIV,
and XXV. 8vo.—From the same.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VI. Nos.
land2. Nov. 14, Dec. 12, 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XV. Part 2. 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
Twenty-fifth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1844-45. Leeds,
1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. March,
1846. No. 3. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Professor
Silliman, B. Silliman, jun., and James D. Dana. Second Series.
No. 2. March, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. HI. No. 2. January, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editor.
The Constitution of Matter, and Laws of Motion, as deducible from,
and explanatory of, the Physical Phenomena of Nature. By J.
L. Riddell, M.D. From the New Orleans Journal of Medicine.
From the Author.
Twenty-ninth Congress, Ist Session. House of Representatives, War
Department, Document, No. 95. Pension Laws now in force.—
From the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.
Twenty-seventh Annual Report of the Controllers of the Public
Schools of the City and County of Philadelphia, for the Year
ending June 30, 1845.—From Prof. John S. Hart.
A Tabular Statement relating to the Tax on Real and Personal Es-
tate for State purposes, the Revenue arising from that and other
Sources, and to the Payments to Common Schools, for the Periods
therein named.— From Charles B. Trego, Esq.
A Memoir of James De Veaux, of Charleston, S.C. By Robert W.
Gibbes, M.D. Columbia, S. C. 1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
The report of the Committee upon the communication from
244
the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Boston, was read, and on
motion of Dr. Patterson, was referred back to the Committee
for action.
Mr. Lea called the attention of the Society to a fine speci-
men of Flexible Quartz, (Quartz hyalin granulaire, Hatiy,)
from Spartenberg District, S. C., obtained by Dr. Gibbs from
that locality.
The specimen was twelve inches long, and about the eighth of an
inch thick, curving by a gentle force into an arc, the versed sign of
which measured full one inch. Specimens of considerable length of
this singularly constructed mineral, are obtained at this locality.
Mr. Justice stated he had in his possession a specimen of the
same kind, from Stokes County, North Carolina, about eight
inches long and three-fourths of an inch thick, which exhibit-
ed the property of flexibility in a remarkable degree, notwith-
standing its thickness. He remarked, it was supposed the
flexibility arose from the particles of quartz, which pervaded
the mass, being of an imbricated or flattened form, and thus
overlapping each other, instead of being granular, as in other
sandstones.
Prof. Frazer laid on the table, the number of the Bulletin
for December, 1845.
On motion of the same gentleman, it was resolved, that the
Finance Committee lay before the Society at the next meeting,
a statement of its assets and liabilities.
Special Meeting, April 1.
Present, thirty-four members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
The President stated that he had called a special meeting at
the request of the Committee appointed at the last meeting, on
the subject of the debt due to the late Nathan Dunn,
245
Stated Meeting, April 3.
Present, thirty-four members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Society of Antiquaries of London, dated Feb. 20,
1846, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. XI. Part 2, of the
Transactions, and of Nos. 32, 33, of the Proceedings of the
Society :—and,
From Mr. Townsend Ward, dated Philadelphia, April 3,
1846, requesting the use of a portrait of Heckewelder, belong-
ing to the Society, for the purpose of making a lithographic
copy.
On motion of Mr. Ord, permission was given to Mr. Ward.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. For the
Year 1845. Part IJ. London, 1845. 4to.—From the Royal
Society.
List of the Royal Society of London, 30th Noy. 1845. 4to.—From
the same.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. No. 61. 8vo.—From
the same.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the Year 1843, under the direction of
George Biddell Airy, Esq., M.A., Astronomer Royal. Published
by order of the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Ma-
jesty’s command. London, 1845. 4to.—From the Royal So-
ciety.
Annales des Mines. Redigées par les Ingénieurs des Mines. Qua-
triéme Série. Tome VII. 2e Livraison de 1845. 8vo.—From
the Engineers of Mines at Paris.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢me Série. Tome VI. No. 27. Sep-
tembre, Octobre, 1845. 8vo.—From ihe Asiatic Society of
Paris.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. Nos.
1 to 4, inclusive. 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
246
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XI. March, 1846. No. 3. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the Year 1843. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A., Radcliffe
Observer. Vol. IV. Published by order of the Radcliffe Trus-
tees. Oxford, 1845. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trustees.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IV. No. 40. April, 1846.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXII. New Series. April, 1846. 8vo.
From the Editor.
Incunabula Artis Typographicee in Suecia. Quibus Sollemnia Inau-
gurationis Philosophicee a condita Academia Upsaliensi Septua-
gesimee quinte celebranda Litterarum Patronis Hospitibus Patri-
bus civibusque Academicis et Urbicis. Indicit legitime constitutus
promotor Johannes Henricus Schréder. Upsalize, 1842. to.
From the Author.
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Societeten i Upsala. Dess Stiftelse, utbildning
och verksamhet Berattelse af J. H. Schréder. Upsala, 1845.
8vo.—F'rom the Author.
Report of the Majority and Minority of the Select Committee of the
House, relative to the Abrogation of Capital Punishment. Har-
risburg, 1846. 8vo.—From C. B. Trego, Esq.
Memoir of the Life and Character of John P. Emmet, M.D., Profes-
sor of Chemistry and Materia Medica in the University of Vir-
ginia. By George Tucker, Professor of Moral Philosophy in the
University of Virginia. Philadelphia, 1845.° 8vo.—From the
Author.
Map of the Oregon Territory, by the United States Exploring Expe-
dition, Charles Wilkes, Esq., Commander. From Hon. Joseph
R. Ingersoll.
Histoire des Plantes de la Guiane Francaise, rangées suivant la Mé-
thode sexuelle, avec plusieurs Mémoires sur différens Objets inté-
ressans, relatifs a la Culture et au Commerce de la Guiane Fran-
caise, et une Notice des Plantes de l’Isle-de-France. Par M.
Fusée Aublet. Paris, 1775. Ato. Vols. 1 to 3, the 4th volume
wanting.—From Dr. Philip Tidyman, of Charleston, South
Caroiina.
Dictionnaire de Chimie, contenant la Théorie et la Pratique de cette
Science, son application 2 la Physique, a l’Histoire Naturelle, a
la Médecine, et aux Arts dépendans de la Chimie. Par M.
247
Macquer. Seconde Edition. Paris, 1778. 2 Vols. 4to.—From
the same.
Le Nouveau Parfait Maréchal, ou la Connoissance Générale et Uni-
verselle du Cheval. Par M. Fr. A. de Garsault. Troisiéme
Edition. Paris, 1755. 4to.—From the same.
CEuvres de M. Franklin, Docteur és Loix. Traduites de PAnglais
sur la Quatriéme Edition. Par M. Barbeu Dubourg. Avec des
additions nouvelles. Paris, 1773. 2 Vols. in 1. 4to.—From
the same.
Histoire Philosophique et Politique des Etablissemens et du Com-
merce des Européens dans les deux Indes. Par Guillaume Ray-
nal. Geneva, 1780. 10 Volumes. 8vo.—From the same.
Recueil concernant le Tribunal de Nosseigneurs les Maréchaux de
France. Par M. De Beaufort. Paris, 1784. 2 Vols. §8vo.
From the same.
Histoire de l’Administration de Lord North, Ministre des Finances
en Angleterre, depuis 1770, jusqu’en 1782, et de la Guerre de
Amérique Septentrionale, jusqu’a la Paix. Suivie du Tableau
Historique des Finances d’Angleterre, depuis Guillaume III. jus-
quen 1784. Paris, 1784. 2 Vols. 8vo.—From the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 552 and 553. Ato.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Seances de ? Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXI. No. 17 to 25, inclusive. 4to.
Dr. Boyé exhibited several mineralogical specimens from
the bituminous coal measures of Pennsylvania; among others,
sulphate of magnesia, both in fibrous crystals and in porous
masses.
ft was found in the neighbourhood of Salzburg, on the Kiskimi-
nitas river, under a protruding ledge of rocks, from which the water,
charged with the sulphate of magnesia, drops down.
Dr. B. also exhibited several specimens of argillaceous carbonate
of iron, or nodular iron ore, containing, inside, a white crystalline
mineral, which he had found to be sulphate of baryta; and also a
curious nodular iron ore, from the neighbourhood of Brighton, on the
Beaver creek, consisting of small oolitic concretions of iron ore (car-
bonate of iron with sesquioxide of iron) of a light brownish colour,
and imbedded in a white sparry mass, consisting of a mixture of sul-
phate of baryta with some sulphate of lime and silica.
248
Mr. C. C. Biddle, from the Committee of Finance, in ac-
cordance with the resolution passed by the Society at its last
meeting, made a report on the financial condition of the So-
ciety.
Stated Meeting, April 17.
Present, thirty-four members.
Dr. CuapmMan, President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Librarian of the New York Historical Society,
dated March, 1846, acknowledging the reception of donations
from this Society:—
From Don Pedro de Angelis, Buenos Ayres, dated Dec. 5,
1845, with a donation to the Library: and,—
From Col. J. J. Abert, Washington, dated April 15, 1846,
in relation to an obituary notice of Mr. Nicollet.
Professor Norton, a newly elected member, was introduced,
and took his seat.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops et J. E. Van der Trappen. No. 137. 4to.—From
Hi. M. the King of the Netherlands.
Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Vol. 1X. of the
Third Series. Boston, 1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From November, 1845, to March, 1846, inclusive.
Vol. I. No. XI. 8vo.—From the College.
Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. IV.
February, 1846. No.5. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. April,
1846. No. 4. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Catalogue of Works in Refutation of Methodism, from its Origin in
1729, to the Present Time. Compiled by H. C. Decanver. Phi-
ladelphia, 1846. 8vo.—From the Compiler.
249
Description of some New Species of Shells. By John H. Redfield.
From the 6th Volume of Annals of New York Lyceum of Natu-
ral History.—From the Author.
Political Economy: its Objects, Uses, and Principles: considered
with reference to the Condition of the American People. With a
Summary for the use of Students. By A. Potter, D.D., Professor
of Moral Philosophy in Union College. New York, 1842. 12mo.
From the Author.
Handbook for Readers and Students; intended as a Help to Indivi-
duals, Associations, School Districts, and Seminaries of Learning,
in the Selection of Works for Reading, Investigation, or Profes-
sional Study. In Three Parts. By A. Potter, D.D. New York,
1845. 12mo.—From the Author.
The School and the Schoolmaster. A Manual for the Use of Teach-
ers, Employers, Trustees, Inspectors, &c. &c. In Two Parts.
Part I. by Alonzo Potter, D.D., of New York. Part II. by Geo.
B. Emerson, A.M., of Massachusetts. New York, 1846. 2 Vols.
12mo.—From the Right Reverend Bishop Potier.
A Discourse pronounced at Schenectady, July 22, 1845, on the Fif-
tieth Anniversary of the Foundation of Union College. By A.
Potter, D.D. Schenectady, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Coleccion de Documentos Oficiales sobre la Mision de los Ministros
de S. M. Britanica, y S. M. el Rey de los Franceses cerca del
Gobierno de Buenos-Aires, encargado de las relaciones exteriores
de la Confederacion Argentina. Buenos-Aires, 1845. Folio.
From P. de Angelis.
Mr. Lea read an obituary notice of the late Mathew Carey,
Hsq., prepared at the request of the Society. On motion of
Mr. C. C. Biddle, it was placed at the disposal of the author.
Prof. Frazer read a letter from Major J. D. Graham, dated
April 14th, 1846, communicating a paper for the Transactions,
on the Dip of the Needle, at three additional stations.
It was referred to the following Committee:—Mr. Frazer,
Dr. Patterson, Mr. Walker.
The Society having considered and disposed of all other
business, proceeded to an election for members; and upon an
examination of the ballot boxes, Mr. Lewis Waln, and Pro-
fessor James H. Rogers, of this city, were announced as duly
elected.
On motion of Mr. Ord, a copy of the Bulletin was ordered
VOL. IV.—2 K
250
to be presented to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and
also to the Right Rev. Alonzo Potter; and that the Bulletin be
hereafter regularly sent to the Historical Society.
Stated Meeting, May 1.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Institution of London, dated February 23,
1846 :—
From the Botanical Society of London, dated London,
March, 1846, acknowledging the reception of Nos. 32 and 33
of the Bulletin of the Society: —
From the Horticultural Society of London, dated March 3,
1846 :—
From the Geological Society of London, dated Feb. 26
1846 :—
From the Royal Asiatic Society of London, dated Feb. 21,
1846, acknowledging the reception of Vol. IX, Part 2, of the
Transactions of this Society, and of Nos. 32 and 33 of the Pro-
ceedings :——
From the Académie Royale des Sciences of Stockholm,
dated Nov. 1, 1845, acknowledging the reception of Vol. IX,
Part 1, of the Transactions, and of Nos. 21, 22, and Nos. 28
to 31 of the Proceedings of this Society, and of Dr. Dungli-
7
son’s Eulogy on P. S. Duponceau, Esq. Also informing the
Society that it had transmitted certain donations for the Li-
brary :—
From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge,
Mass., dated March 11 and 24, acknowledging the reception
of the Proceedings, No. 34, and of Vol. IX, Part 2, of the
Transactions :—
From Sir James Clark, dated London, April 2, 1846: from
Dr. Holland, dated April 3, 1846: and from Dr. J. H. Rogers,
251
dated Philadelphia, May 1, 1846, returning their acknowlede-
ments for being made members of the Society:—and
From the Franklin Institute, dated April 11, 1846, replying
to a communication from this Society, in relation to the pro-
posal of the Academy of Arts and Sciences, to unite with this
Society and the Franklin Institute in a Memorial to the Gov-
ernment, asking an extension of Meteorological Observa-
tions, and stating that the Franklin Institute had appointed a
Committee to act thereon.
Mr. Lewis Waln, a newly elected member, was introduced,
and took his seat.
The following donations were announced :-—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, for ar 1843. Stock-
holm, 1844. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Sciences of
Stockholm.
Arsberiittelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi afgifven den 31
Mars, 1845; af Jac. Berzelius, K. V. Akad. Sek. Stockholm,
1845. 8vo.—From the same.
Arsberattelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under Aren 1840-1842 till
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien afgifven af Zoologice Intendenter-
na vid Rikets Naturhistoriska Museum. Férsta Delen (Anim.
Vertebrata) af C. J. Sundevall. Stockholm, 1844. 8vo.—F rom
the same.
Arsberiittelse om Zoologiens Framsteg under aren 1843 och 1844
till Kong]. Vetenskaps-Akademien afgifven af Zoologize Intenden-
terna vid Rikets Naturhistoriska Museum. Andra Delen (Insec-
ta, Linn.) af C. H. Boheman. Stockholm, 1845. 8vo.—From
the same.
Ars-Berittelser om Botaniska Arbeten och Upptickter for aren 1839,
1840, 1841 och 1842, till Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademien afgif-
na den 31 Mars aren 1839, 1840, 1841 och 1842. Af Joh. Em.
Wikstrém. Stockholm, 1844. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Férhandlingar. Férsta
Argangen.
1844, Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive.
1845, Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive. 8vo.—From the same.
Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XV. With four
copperplates. London, 1846. 4to.—From the Society.
202
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VII.
January 9,1846. No.3. 8vo.—From the same.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, January 21,
February 18, 1846. 8vo.—rom the Society.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I.
March, 1846. No.5. S8vo.—This number contains the Jour-
nal of Isaac Senter, physician and surgeon to the troops detached
from the American army encamped at Cambridge, Massachusetts,
on a secret expedition against Quebec, under the command of
Col. Benedict Arnold, in September, 1775.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Providence Franklin Society. Vol. I. April,
1846. No.1. 8vo.—From the Society.
Catalogue of the New York State Library, January 1, 1846.—From
the Trustees.
Fifty-ninth Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the
State of New York, made to the Legislature, March 1, 1846. 8vo.
From the Regents.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. May,
1846. No. 5. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. ‘Third
Series. Vol. XI. April, 1846. No. 4. 8vo.—From Dr. Pat-
terson.
An Account of the Portage Rail Road over the Alleghany Mountain,
in Pennsylvania. By S. W. Roberts, Principal Assistant Engi-
neer thereon. Philadelphia, 1836. 12mo.—From the Author.
Prof. Frazer, on the part of the Committee to whom the
communication of Major J. D. Graham, read at the last meet-
ing, was referred, recommended the publication of the same
in the Transactions of the Society, which was so ordered.
Dr. Bache reported the death of Prof. T. W. Bessel, of the
University of Kénigsberg, a member of this Society.
Prof. Frazer referred to the principal labours of Prof. Bessel,
and moved that Prof. Kendall be requested to prepare a notice
of his contributions to science.
Mr. C. O. Boutelle presented to the Society, through Dr.
Patterson, a work by him, entitled “Tables of Bearings, Dis-
tances, Latitudes, and Longitudes, ascertained by the Astrono-
mical and Trigonometrical Survey of Massachusetts.’? Dr.
Patterson made some observations on this survey of Massa-
2903
chusetts by Messrs. Paine and Borden, a portion of whose la-
bours are contained in the Transactions of this Society. The
work of Mr. Boutelle gives the more detailed results of the
same undertaking.
Dr. Patterson informed the Society, that the recent solar
eclipse was observed at the High School Observatory, by Prof.
Kendall and himself. The following note gives the results
of their observations:
May 1st, 1846.
Dear S1r,—The observations of the Solar Eclipse of April 24th,
and 25th, 1846, made at the High School Observatory, are as follows,
in mean time of the Observatory :
Beginning 24d 22h 46m 40s.3, observed by Dr. Patterson.
i LN RRP Rete Pes 7/3 Me BK. O. Kendall.
» 24 22 46 38.8, mean.
The power used by yourself with the Pléssl was, I think, about
50; and that used with the equatorial was 85.
; Very respectfully, yours,
E. OTIS KENDALL.
Dr. R. M. Parrerson.
Stated Meeting, May 15.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
No correspondence was announced.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
Silliman, B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana. Second Series.
No. 8. May, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editors.
A Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. By David Humphreys
Storer, M.D. Cambridge (Mass.), 1846. 4to.—From the Au-
thor.
Tables of Bearings, Distances, Latitudes, Longitudes, &c., ascer-
204
fained by the Astronomical and Trigonometrical Survey of Mas-
sachusetts. Published agreeably to a Resolve of the General
Court, by John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Boston, 1846. 8vo.—From Charles O. Boutelle.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1V. May, 1846. No. 41.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Facts and Considerations relative to Duties on Books; addressed to
the Library Committee of Brown University. By C. C. Jewett.
Providence, 1846. 8vo.—From Mr. John Penington.
Mr. Alger on New Localities of Rare Minerals, and the Identity of
Species supposed to be Distinct. From the Transactions of the
Boston Society of Natural History. From the Author.
The President announced the death of Dr. Mease, which
took place the 14th instant, in the 75th year of his age.
On motion of Dr. Bache, Dr. Elwyn was appointed to pre-
pare an obituary notice of the deceased.
Mr. Lea announced the death of Mr. Jchn Pickering, of
Boston, a member of this Society.
The report of the meeting of the Board of Officers and
Council, held 8th of May, 1846, was read.
Special Meeting, May 29.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Mr. Ord moved that the special business of the meeting be
postponed, for the purpose of considering a communication
from the Athenian Institute.
A letter was then read from the Secretary of the Athenian
Institute, dated May 15th, 1846, conveying a resolution in the
following words:—
At a meeting of the Counsellors of the Athenian Institute, held on
the evening of May 12th, 1846, the following resolution was unani-
mously adopted, viz.—
Resolved, That whenever he shall be so directed in writing by this
Committee, the Treasurer shall loan to the American Philosophical
259
Society, held at Philadelphia, for promoting Useful Knowledge, three-
fourths of the funds belonging to the Institute, for four years, without
interest; and shall loan to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
one-fourth of the remainder of such funds, for four years, without
interest; the said loans to be secured by bond and warrant of attor-
ney:
Mr. Sill’s letter mentioned that the amount which might be
expected by the Society, will be from $700 to $900.
On motion of Dr. Patterson—Resolved, That the loan of-
fered by the Athenian Institute be accepted by the Society,
and that the President and Treasurer be instructed to affix the
corporate seal to the stipulated securities.
Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to convey to the
Counsellors of the Athenian Institute, the acknowledgments of
the Society for the aid so liberally tendered.
On motion of Mr. Fraley, the Society proceeded to consider
the alteration of the By-laws, proposed at the meeting of the
15th instant.
Stated Meeting, June 19.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Linnean Society of London, dated April 2d, 1846,
acknowledging the receipt of the Transactions of the Society,
Vol. IX. Part 2d, and of the Proceedings, Nos. 32 and 33:—
From the Royal Institute of Sciences, Belles Lettres and
Arts, of the Low Countries, dated Amsterdam, Jan. 23, 1846,
on transmitting a part of the Transactions of the Institution:—
From the Historical Society of New York, dated New
York, May 22d, 1846, on transmitting copies of a circular in
reference to proposed changes in the tariff, as affecting the in-
terests of literary institutions:—
From the Local Committee of the Association of American
256
Geologists and Naturalists, dated New York, June 5th, 1846,
transmitting copies of circulars of the Association:—
From Signor Zantedeschi, dated Venice, Aug. 14, 1845, on
transmitting a donation to the Society:—
From Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna, Feb. 25, 1846,
on transmitting a donation to the Society:—
From the friends of the late Prof. Bessel, dated Konigsberg,
March 21, 1846, announcing his death:—
From the family of the late Mr. Pickering, of Boston, dated
Boston, June 9th, 1846, on returning a MS. of Mr. 5S. S. Hal-
deman’s to the Secretary :—and,
From Mr. Henry M‘Ilvaine, dated Philadelphia, June 11,
1846, asking for two Mexican silver drinking cups, and a ces-
tus, deposited many years ago by Mr. Joseph E. Bloomfield.
On motion of Mr. Ord, the Curators were authorized to re-
turn the articles deposited in the Cabinet to Mr. M‘Ilvaine, as
the representative of Mr. Bloomfield.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisicme Série. Tome IV.
Paris, 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal Asiatique. Quatricme Série. ‘Tome VI. No. 28. Novem-
bre, 1845. No. 29. Décembre, 1845. Tome VII. No. 30.
Janvier, 1846. No. 31. Feévrier, 1846. 8vo.—From the Asia-
tic Society of Paris.
Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome VII. 3e Livraison de
1845. Tome VIII. 4e Livraison de 1845. 8vo.—From the
Engineers of Mines, of Paris.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. No. XVI. Part 2. London, 1846. 8vo.— From the So-
ciety.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. VI. Nos.
4,5,and6. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Edited
by the Vice-Secretary of the Geological Society. Volume the
First. 1845. Volume the Second. Part 1. No. 5. 1846. 8vo.
From the Geological Society.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Neder-
landsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone
207
Kunsten te Amsterdam. ‘Twaalfden Deels eerste Stuk. Amster-
dam, 1846. 4to.—From the Royal Institute, Amsterdam.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. March 4th
and 18th, 1846. S8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. II]. Nos. 1 and 2. Title and Index to Vol. II. 8vo.—From
the Academy.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. June,
1846. No. 6. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XI. Nos. 5 and 6. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XVI. Nos. 106, 107, and 108.
Vol. XVII. Nos. 109, 110, and 111. 8vo.—From Sir Wm.
Jardine, Bart.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. Il. No. 12. April, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editor.
Tijdschrift voor Natuurlijke Geschiedenis en Physiologie. Uitge-
geven door J. Van der Hoeven, M.D., en W. H. de Vriese, M.D.
Twaalfde Deel, 3e en 4e Stuk. Leiden, 1845. 8vo.—From the
Editors.
Waarnemingen en Proeven over de Onlangs Geheerscht Hebbende
Ziekte der Aardappelen, door G. Vrolik.—From W. Vrolik.
Verslag der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Nederlandsche Insti-
tuut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone Kunsten, over
de heerschende ziekte der Aardappelen.— From the same.
Trattato del Magnetismo e della Elettricita dell’ Ab. Francesco Zan-
tedeschi. Parte IJ. Venezia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Descrizione di una Machina a disco per la doppia Elettricita e delle
esperienze esequite con essa comparativamente a quelle dell’ elet-
tromotore Voltiano del Prof. Ab. Francesce Zantedeschi. Vene-
zia, 1845.—From the same.
Geological Survey of Canada. Report of Progress for the Year
1844. Montreal, 1846. 8vo.—From W. E. Logan, Provincial
Geologist.
Jahrbiicher der Literatur. Nos. 109 to 112, inclusive. January to
December, 1845. 8vo.—From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall.
Twenty-ninth Congress, First Session. House of Representatives.
Document, No. 140. Report of the Commissioners of Patents
for the Year 1845. 8yvo.—From the Hon. Joseph R. Ingersoll.
VOL. Iv.—2 L
298
Report to the Committee of the City Council appointed to obtain the
Census of Boston for the Year 1845, embracing Collateral Facts
and Statistical Researches, illustrating the History and Condition
of the Population, and their means of Progress and Prosperity.
By Lemuel Shattuck. Boston, 1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
The Mutations of the Earth; or an Outline of the more Remarkable
Physical Changes, of which, in the progress of time, this Earth
has been the subject and the theatre, &c. &c. Being the Anni-
versary Discourse for 1846, delivered before the Lyceum of
Natural History of New York. By John Augustine Smith, M.D.
8vo.—From the Author.
Observations sur le Voyage au Darfour, etc. Par M. Jomard. 8vo.
From the Author.
Seconde Note sur une Pierre gravée, trouvée dans un ancien Tumu-
lus Américain. Lue a l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-
Lettres, le 10 Novembre, 1845. Par M. Jomard. 8vo.—
From the same.
La Collection Géographique de la Bibliotheque Royale, en 1845.
Par M. Jomard.—From the same.
State of the Accounts of the Pennsylvania Hospital, for the Year end-
ing Fourth Month 25, 1846. 8vo.—Jrom the Managers.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1V. June, 1846. No, 42.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten, Nos. 554, 555, 556. March 16th,
April 2d and 8th. Altona, 1846. 4to.
Comptes Rendus hebdomadaires des Séances de Académie des
Sciences. Tome XXI. No. 26. Décembre, 1845. Tome XXII.
Nos. 1 to 12 inclusive. Janvier 5 a Mars 23, 1846. Ato.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome XVI.
Paris, 1846.
The presiding officer announced the death of Mr. Redmond
Conyngham, of Paradise, County of Lancaster, a member of
this Society, who died on the 16th inst., at the age of 64. On
motion of Mr. Ord, Bishop Potter was requested to prepare an
obituary notice of the deceased.
A portion of a communication from Miss Reynolds to the
Rev. Archibald Alexander, of Princeton, detailing a condition
209
of two distinct states of consciousness, of which she described
herself as the subject, was read.
On motion, the communication was referred to a Committee,
consisting of Dr. Hays, Dr. Coates, and Dr. Bell.
Prof. Henry presented a paper from Capt. Stockton, U. S.
Navy, entitled, “On some of the Results of a Series of Expe-
riments, relative to different parts of Gunnery,” which was
referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Henry, Prof. Fra-
zer, and Dr. Patterson.
A letter from S. D. Ingham to Dr. Patterson was read, de-
tailing cases in which the telegraphic wires were struck by
lightning, and asking the attention of the Society to some inte-
resting questions connected with the mode in which the wires
may be affected by electricity.
New Hope, 5th June, 1846.
My dear Sir,—! have recently observed a fact, which it may be
interesting to investigate. During a heavy thunder shower, as
we say, on the 25th ult., several poles which support the wires
of the new telegraph were stricken by the lightning. In one
case, four in succession; and in another, éwo; this happened with-
in three-quarters of a mile of my house. I[ hear, also, that many
others between this and Doylestown are also marked with the light-
ning. The wires do not appear to be affected. The first appearance
of effect on the poles is where the tenon enters the cross-bar on the
top. A knowledge of the modus in which the electric charge passes
along the wires, might aid in determining whether the telegraph, as
constructed, will be a protection, or increase the danger from light-
ning. Why does the electricity leave the copper wire, and pass off
into wood, without affecting the wire? We want to know by experi-
ment, from those who are skilled in these matters, and are provided
with apparatus, whether our security is increased or lessened by the
construction of the telegraphic machinery. The poles are set along
the road upon which persons are constantly passing with horses,
carriages, &c., which, for aught we know, may be as likely to at-
tract the electric matter from the surcharge as a wooden pole; and
if such be the fact, what is the best remedy? Will frequent conduc-
tors on the poles be a sufficient security?
This subject deserves consideration in another point of view; for if
it should happen that any person should be killed by lightning on the
260
road near the conducting wires, the telegraph will very probably soon
be demolished, and might not easily be again renewed.
Will you have the goodness to present this subject to the considera-
tion of the Philosophical Society, and invite the attention of the mem-
bers to it; and accept the assurance of the very great respect of
Your most obedient,
Dr. Ropr. Parrerson. S. D. INGHAM.
Professor Henry, to whom the foregoing letter was referred,
made the following report:—
The action of the electricity of the atmosphere on the wires of the
electrical telegraph, is at the present time a subject of much import-
ance, both on account of its practical bearing, and the number of
purely scientific questions which it involves. I have accordingly
given due attention to the letter referred to me, and have succeeded
in collecting a number of facts in reference to the action in question.
Some of these are from the observations of different persons along
the principal lines, and others from my own investigations during a
thunder storm on the 19th of June, when | was so fortunate as to be
present in the office of the telegraph in Philadelphia, while a series
of very interesting electrical phenomena was exhibited. In con-
nexion with the facts derived from these sources, I must ask the in-
dulgence of the Society in frequently referring, in the course of this
communication, to the results of my previous investigations in dy-
namic electricity, accounts of which are to be found in the Pro-
ceedings and Transactions of this Institution.
From all the information on the subject of the action of the elec-
tricity of the atmosphere on the wires of the telegraph, it is evident
that effects are produced in several different ways.
1. The wires of the telegraph are liable to be struck by a direct
discharge of lightning from the clouds, and several cases of this kind
have been noticed during the present season. About the 20th of May
the lightning struck the elevated part of the wire, which is supported
on a high mast at the place where the telegraph crosses the Hacken-
sack river. The fluid passed along the wire each way from the point
which received the discharge, for several miles, striking off at irre-
gular intervals down the supporting poles. At each place where the
discharge to a pole took place, a number of sharp explosions were
heard in succession, resembling the rapid reports of several rifles.
During another storm, the wire was struck in two places in Pennsyl-
261
vania, on the route between Philadelphia and New York; at one of
these places twelve poles were struck, and at the other eight. In the
latter case, the remarkable fact was observed, that every other pole
escaped the discharge; and the same phenomenon was observed,
though in a less marked degree, near the Hackensack river. In
some instances the lightning has been seen coursing along the wire
in a stream of light; and in another case it is described as exploding
from the wire at certain points, though there were no bodies in the
vicinity to attract it from the conductor.
In discussing these, and other facts to be mentioned hereafter, we
shall, for convenience, adopt the principles and language of the theory
which refers the phenomena of electricity to the action of a fluid, of
which the particles repel each other, and are attracted by the parti-
cles of other matter. Although it cannot be affirmed that this theory
is an actual representation of the cause of the phenomena, as they
are produced in nature, yet it may be asserted that it is, in the pre-
sent state of science, an accurate mode of expressing the laws of elec-
trical action, so far as they have been made out; and that though
there are a number of phenomena which have not as yet been re-
ferred to this theory, there are none which are proved to be directly
at variance with it.
That the wires of the telegraph should be frequently struck by a
direct discharge of lightning, is not surprising, when we consider the
great length of the conductor, and, consequently, the many points
along the surface of the earth through which it must pass, peculiarly
liable to receive the discharge from the heavens. Also, from the
great length of the conductor, the more readily must the repulsive
action of the free electricity of the cloud drive the natural electricity
of the conductor to the farther end of the line, thus rendering more
intense the negative condition of the nearer part of the wire, and,
consequently, increasing the attraction of the metal for the free elec-
tricity of the cloud. It is not, however, probable that the attraction,
whatever may be its intensity, of so small a quantity of matter as
that of the wire of the telegraph, can of itself produce an electrical
discharge from the heavens: although, if the discharge were started
by some other cause, such as the attraction of a large mass of con-
ducting matter in the vicinity, the attraction of the wire might be suf-
ficient to change the direction of the descending bolt, and draw it in
part or in whole to itself. It should also be recollected, that on ac-
count of the perfect conduction, a discharge on any part of the wire
262
must affect every other part of the connected line, although it may
be hundreds of miles in length.
That the wire should give off a discharge to a number of poles in
succession, is a fact I should have expected, from my previous re-
searches on the lateral discharge of a conductor transmitting a cur-
rent of free electricity. In a paper on this subject, presented to the
British Association in 1837, | showed that when electricity strikes a
conductor explosively, it tends to give off sparks to all bodies in the
vicinity, however intimately the conductor may be connected with
the earth. In an experiment in which sparks from a small machine
were thrown on the upper part of a lightning rod, erected in accord-
ance with the formula given by the French Institute, corresponding
sparks could be drawn from every part of the rod, even from that
near the ground. In a communication since made to this Society, |
have succeeded in referring this phenomenon to the fact, that during
the transmission of a quantity of electricity along a rod, the surface
of the conductor is charged in succession, as it were, by a wave
of the fluid, which, when it arrives opposite a given point, tends
to give off a spark to a neighbouring body, for the same reason that
the charged conductor of the machine gives off a spark under the
same circumstances.
It might at first be supposed that the redundant electricity of the
conductor would exhaust itself in giving off the first spark, and that
a second discharge could not take place; but it should be observed,
that the wave of free electricity, in its passage, is constantly attracted
to the wire by the portion of the uncharged conductor which imme-
diately precedes its position at any time; and hence but a part of the
whole redundant electricity is given off at one place; the velocity of
transmission of the wave as it passes the neighbouring body, and its
attraction for the wire, preventing a full discharge at any one place.
The intensity of the successive explosions is explained by referring to
the fact, that the discharge from the clouds does not generally consist
of a single wave of electricity, but of a number of discharges along
the same path in rapid succession, or of a continuous discharge which
has an appreciable duration; and hence the wire of the telegraph is
capable of transmitting an immense quantity of the fluid thus distri-
buted over a great length of the conductor.
The remarkable facts of the explosions of the electricity into the
air, and of the poles being struck in interrupted succession, find a
plausible explanation in another electrical principle which I have
established, namely, in all cases of the disturbance of the equili-
263
brium of the electrical plenum, which we must suppose to exist
throughout all terrestrial space, the state of rest is attained by a se-
ties of diminishing oscillations. Thus, in the discharge of a Leyden
jar, I have shown that the phenomena exhibited cannot be explained
by merely supposing the transfer of a quantity of fluid from the inner
to the outer side of the jar; but in addition to this we are obliged to
admit the existence of several waves, backwards and forwards, until
the equilibrium is attained. In the case of the discharge from the
cloud, a wave of the natural electricity of the metal is repelled each
way from the point on which the discharge falls, to either end of the
wire, is then reflected, and in its reverse passage meets in succession
the several waves which make up the discharge from the cloud.
These waves will therefore interfere at certain points along the wire,
producing, for a moment, waves of double magnitude, and will thus
enhance the tendency of the fluid at these points to fly from the con-
ductor. I do not say that the effects observed were actually pro-
duced in this way; I merely wish to convey the idea that known
principles of electrical action might, under certain circumstances,
lead us to anticipate such results.
2. The state of the wire may be disturbed by the conduction of a
current of electricity from one portion of space to another, withcut
the presence of a thunder cloud; and this will happen in case of a
long line, when the electrical condition of the atmosphere which sur-
rounds the wire at one place is different from that at another. Now
it is well known that a mere difference in elevation is attended with a
change in the electrical state of the atmosphere. A conductor, ele-
vated by means of a kite, gives sparks of positive electricity in a per-
fectly clear day; hence, if the line of the telegraph passes over an
elevated mountain ridge, there will be continually, during clear
weather, a current from the more elevated to the lower points of the
conductor.
A current may also be produced in a long level line, by the pre-
cipitation of vapour in the form of fog at one end, while the air re-
mains clear at the other; or by the existence of a storm of rain or
snow at any point along the line, while the other parts of the wire are
not subjected to the same influence.
Currents of sufficient power to set in motion the marking machine
of the telegraph have been observed, which must have been produced
by some of these causes. In one case the machine spontaneously be-
gan to operate without the aid of the battery, while a snow storm was
falling at one end of the line, and clear weather existed at the other.
264
On another occasion, a continued stream of electricity was observed
to pass between two points at a break in the wire, presenting the ap-
pearance of a gas-light almost extinguished. A constant effect of this
kind indicates a constant accession of electricity at one part of the
wire, and a constant discharge at the other.
3. The natural electricity of the wire of the telegraph is liable to
be disturbed by the ordinary electrical induction of a distant cloud.
Suppose a thunder-cloud, driven by the wind in such a direction as
to cross one end of the line of the telegraph at the elevation, say of a
mile; during the whole time of the approach of the cloud to the point
of its path directly above the wire, the repulsion of the redundant elec-
tricity with which it is charged would constantly drive more and
more of the natural electricity of the wire to the farther end of the
line, and would thus give rise to a current. When the cloud arrived
at the point nearest to the wire, the current would cease for a mo-
ment; and as the repulsion gradually diminished by the receding of
the cloud, the natural electricity of the wire would gradually return
to its normal state, giving rise to a current in an opposite direction.
If the cloud were driven by the wind parallel to the line of the tele-
graph, a current would be produced towards each end of the wire,
and these would constantly vary in intensity with the different posi-
tions of the cloud. Although currents produced in this way may be
too feeble to set in motion the marking apparatus, yet they may have
sufficient power to influence the action of the current of the battery
so as to interfere with the perfect operation of the machine.
4. Powerful electrical currents are produced in the wires of the
telegraph by every flash of lightning which takes place within many
miles of the line, by the action of dynamic induction; which differs
from the action last described, in being the result of the influence of
electricity 7n motion on the natural electricity of the conductor. The
effect of this induction, which is the most fruitful source of disturb-
ance, will be best illustrated by an account of some experiments of
my own, presented to the Society in 1843. A copper wire was sus-
pended by silk strings around the ceiling of an upper room, so as to
form a parallelogram of about sixty feet by thirty on the sides; and
in the cellar of the same building, immediately below, another paral-
lelogram of the same dimensions was placed. When a spark from
an electrical machine was transmitted through the upper parallelo-
gram, an induced current was developed in the lower one, sufficiently
powerful to magnetize needles, although two floors intervened, and
the conductors were separated to the distance of thirty feet. In this
265
experiment no electricity passed through the floors from one conduc-
tor to the other; the effect was entirely due to the repulsive action of
the electricity in motion in the upper wire on the natural electricity of
the lower. In another experiment, two wires, about 400 feet long,
were stretched parallel to each other between two buildings; a spark
of electricity sent through one produced a current in the other, though
the two were separated to the distance of 300 feet; and from all the
experiments, it was concluded that the distance might be indefinitely
increased, provided the wires were lengthened in a corresponding
ratio.
That the same effect is produced by the repulsive action of the
electrical discharge in the heavens, is shown by the following modifi-
cation of the foregoing arrangement. One of the wires was removed,
and the other so lengthened at one end, as to pass into my study, and
thence through a cellar window into an adjacent well. With every
flash of lightning which took place in the heavens within at least a
circle of twenty miles around Princeton, needles were magnetized in
the study by the induced current developed in the wire. The same
effect was produced by soldering a wire to the metallic roof of the
house, and passing it down into the well; at every flash of lightning
a series of currents in alternate directions was produced in the wire.
I was also led, from these results, to infer that induced currents
must traverse the line of a rail-road, and this I found to be the case.
Sparks were seen at the breaks in the continuity of the rail, with
every flash of a distant thunder cloud.
Similar effects, but in a greater degree, must be produced on the
wire of the telegraph, by every discharge in the heavens; and the
phenomena which | witnessed on the 19th of June in the telegraph
office in Philadelphia, were, I am sure, of this kind. In the midst of
the hurry of the transmission of the congressional intelligence from
Washington to Philadelphia, and thence to New York, the apparatus
began to work irregularly. ‘The operator at each end of the line an-
nounced at the same time a storm at Washington, and another at
Jersey City. The portion of the circuit of the telegraph which en-
tered the building, and was connected with one pole of the galvanic
battery, happened to pass within the distance of less than an inch of
the wire which served to form the connexion of the other pole with
the earth. Across this space, at an interval of every few minutes, a
series of sparks in rapid succession was observed to pass; and when
one of the storms arrived so near Philadelphia that the lightning
could be seen, each series of sparks was found to be simultaneous
VOL. IV.—2 M
266
with a flash in the heavens. Now we cannot suppose, for a moment,
that the wire was actually struck at the time each flash took place;
and indeed it was observed that the sparks were produced when the
cloud and flash were at the distance of several miles to the east of
the line of the wire. The inevitable conclusion is, that all the exhi-
bition of electrical phenomena witnessed during the afternoon, was
purely the effects of induction, or the mere disturbance of the natural
electricity of the wire at a distance, without any transfer of the fluid
from the cloud to the apparatus.
The discharge between the two portions of the wire continued for
more than an hour, when the effect became so powerful, that the su-
perintendent, alarmed for the safety of the building, connected the
long wire with the city gas pipes, and thus transmitted the current
silently to the ground. I was surprised at the quantity and intensity
of the current; it is well known, that to affect a common galvano-
meter with ordinary electricity, requires the discharge of a large bat-
tery; but such was the quantity of the induced current exhibited on
this occasion, that the needle of an ordinary vertical galvanometer,
with a short wire, and apparently of little sensibility, was moved se-
veral degrees.
The pungency of the spark was also, as might have been expected,
very great. When a small break was made in the circuit, and the
parts joined by the forefinger and thumb, the discharge transmitted
through the hand affected the whole arm up to the shoulder. I was
informed by the superintendent, that on another occasion a spark
passed over the surface of the spool of wire, surrounding the legs of
the horse-shoe magnet at right angles to the spires; and such was its
intensity and quantity, that all the wires across which it passed were
melted at points in the same straight line as if they had been cut in
two by a sharp knife.
———<——_
The effects of the powerful discharges from the clouds may be pre-
vented, in a great degree, by erecting at intervals along the line, and
aside of the supporting poles, a metallic wire, connected with the
earth at the lower end, and terminating above at the distance of
about half an inch from the wire of the telegraph. By this arrange-
ment the insulation of the conductor will not be interfered with, while
the greater portion of the charge will be drawn off. 1 think this pre-
caution of great importance at places where the iine crosses a river,
and is supported on high poles. Also in the vicinity of the office of
267
the telegraph, where a discharge, falling on the wire near the station,
might send a current into the house of sufficient quantity to produce
serious accidents. ‘The fate of Professor Richman, of St. Peters-
burg, should be recollected, who was killed, by a flash from a small
wire, which entered his house from an elevated pole, while he was
experimenting on atmospheric electricity.
The danger, however, which has been apprehended from the elec-
tricity leaving the wire and discharging itself into a person on the
road, is, I think, very small; electricity, of sufficient intensity to
strike a person at the distance of eight or ten feet from the wire,
would, in preference, be conducted down the nearest pole. It will,
however, in all cases, be most prudent to keep at a proper distance
from the wire during the existence of a thunder storm in the neigh-
bourhood.
It may be mentioned as an interesting fact, derived from two inde-
pendent sources of information, that large numbers of small birds
have been seen suspended by the claws from the wire of the tele-
graph. They had, in all probability, been instantaneously killed,
either by a direct discharge, or an induced current from a distant
cloud, while they were resting on the wire.
Though accidents to the operators, from the direct discharge, may
be prevented by the method before mentioned, yet the effect on the
machine cannot be entirely obviated; the residual current which es-
capes the discharge along the perpendicular wires, must neutralize,
for a moment, the current of the battery, and produce irregularity of
action in the apparatus.
The direct discharge from the cloud on the wire is, comparatively,
not a frequent occurrence, while the dynamic inductive influence
must be a source of constant disturbance during the season of thun-
der storms; and no other method presents itself to my mind at this
time for obviating the effect, but that of increasing the size of the
battery, and diminishing the sensibility of the magnet, so that, at
least, the smaller induced currents may not be felt by the machine.
It must be recollected, that the inductive influence takes place at a
distance through all bodies, conductors and non-conductors; and
hence no coating that can be put upon the wire will prevent the for-
mation of induced currents.
| think it not improbable, since the earth has been made to act the
part of the return conductor, that some means will be discovered for
insulating the single wire beneath the surface of the earth; the diffi-
culty in effecting this is by no means as great as that of insulating
268
two wires, and preventing the current striking across from one to the
other. A wire, buried in the earth, would be protected, in most
cases, from the effect of a direct discharge; but the inductive in-
fluence would still be exerted, though perhaps in a less degree.
The wires of the telegraph are too small and too few in number to
affect, as some have supposed, the electrical condition of the atmos-
phere, by equalizing the quantity of the fluid in different places, and
thus producing a less changeable state of the weather. The feeble
currents of electricity which must be constantly passing along the
wires of a long line, may, however, with proper study, be the means
of discovering many interesting facts relative to the electrical state of
the air over different regions.
A communication was read from Prof. Locke, of Cincinnati,
detailing certain phenomena of terrestrial magnetism, as ob-
served in the trap rock of the Brandywine, which exhibited
manifest polarity.
Prof. Frazer stated that some of the trap rock of the Bran-
dywine contained magnetic pyrites; and if the rock alluded to
by Prof. Locke contained pyrites, it might account for the
phenomena.
Mr. Haldeman made the following remarks on the Phono-
logy of the Wyandots.
Missionaries and others have asserted that the peculiarities of this
language are such that it cannot be reduced to writing. A tolerably
thorough examination of it, with the assistance of Mr. J. E. Arm-
strong, a native, have shown that this is not the fact. To a person
unaccustomed to rigid analysis of the sounds capable of being pro-
duced by the organs of speech, it would be found much more difficult
to appreciate the peculiarities of the Cherokee.
The Wyandot alphabet is as follows:—1. i (in field), 2. 1 (fit),
3.e (where), 4. ¢ (met), 5. x (man, nasal), 6. a (far), 7. a (flaw,
not), 8. 9 (moan, no, nasal), 9. © (word, nut), 10. u (rule, fill),
11. w (English in we), 12. m, 13. n, 14. d, 15’. ¢, 15’. t, 16. # (the
smooth English sound, never vibrant), 17. (azure, French j), 18. s
(hiss), 19. ¢ (ship, French ch), 20. j (year, German jahr, Italian
Jert), 21. g (gui in get), 22''. Kk, 22'. k, 23. x (Greek, German ich),
24. h (English and German initial in held), 25. > (close of the
glottis).
The series of vowels is very full, amounting to the five primaries
269
and five of the secondaries. Several of them are subject to nasality,
and two of them, x in man (French vin), and o in moan (French
mén), present the peculiarity of being almost always nasalized; the
0, probably, is never natural.
The labial consonants, except Mi, and the English Wi, are want-
ing. The 20th letter is frequently nasalized; and when it follows N
as a nasal, the two become identical with the Spanish fi, which is not
an uncommon sound. The German combination ¢s is also somewhat
common.
Besides the ordinary gut and ki, there is a hard ki, which has
every quality of gui, except vocality, as in all ksi, Allegeny.
This is heard in other Indian languages, and also in German. The
tt more rarely assumes the same character, as in tug @ >, an aze.
The hz (No. 24), presents the peculiarity of being heard with its
usual force after a vowel, or as a final; and it is frequently nasal-
ized. Nasal syllables of several letters sometimes occur, as h ot a>
(the ear), awndecrrx haw (for ever). The final hi, afier the close
of the glottis, is merely the breath which follows the subsequent open-
ing of the passage, and should properly be represented by the Greek
spiritus asper (~).
The Wyandot numerals, from one to ten, are as follows. The
accented syllable and short vowels should be marked; the former
with an accentual, the latter with a dot above.
I.skot. 2.tendi. 38. cehk. 4. ndayzk. 5 uwls.
6.uwajS. 7.tsutdr€é>h. 8&tér€>h. 9tro>h. 10. seh.
Dr. Hays stated that Dr. Warren, of Boston, had given him
some information in regard to recently discovered mastodons
in New York and New Jersey. One of the skeletons is at
Harvard College.
A complete skeleton has been disinterred at Newburgh. It
has been purchased by Dr. Warren, and put together by him.
It is a tetracaulodon.
Dr. Hays pointed out some marked differences between this
and the skeletons of the mastodon, which he had examined.
It was moved, by Prof. Frazer, that the letter read this
evening from the Historical Society of New York, be referred
to a Committee, with power to take order. Mr. Kane, Dr.
Ludlow, and Prof. Hare, were appointed the Committee.
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fom Ck LAREN.
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vou. IV. JULY—DECEMBER, 1846. No. 36.
Stated Meeting, July 17.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Prince of Canino and Musignano, dated Rome,
June 8th, 1846, calling the attention of the Society to the ap-
proaching meeting of “Scienziati Italiani:’’ and,—
From Col. Abert, dated Washington, July 14, 1846, accom-
panied by an obituary notice of the late Mons. Nicollet, pre-
pared by him for the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der Mathem. Physikalischen Classe der Kéniglich
Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vierten Bandes
Zweite. Abtheilung. In der reihe der denkschriften der xix.
band. Miinchen, 1845. 4to.—From the Academy of Sciences
of Munich.
Bulletin der Konigl. Academie der Wissenschaften. 17th September
to 8th November, 1844. Nos. 51 to 57, inclusive. Ist January
to 2d December, 1845. Nos. 1 to 52, inclusive. 1st to 7th Janu-
ary, 1846. Nos. 1 to 5. 4to.—From the same.
Andentungen zur Charakteristik des Organischen Lebens nach fei-
nem Austreten in den verschiedenen Erdperioden. 4to.—From
the same.
Almanack der Koniglichen Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaf-
ten fiir das Jahr, 1845. 12mo.—From the same.
VOL. IV.—2 N
272,
The Thirteenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic
Society, 1845. Falmouth. 8vo.—F rom the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. I. May, 1841. No. 2. Vol. Il. March and April, 1845.
No. 8. Vol. III. May and June, 1846. No. 3. 8vo.—From
the Academy.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 4.
July, 1846. Vol. Il. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. Vol. XII. No. 23. July, 1846.
8vo.—From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IV. July, 1846. No. 43.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. July,
1846. No. 7. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
Twenty-sixth Congress, Ist Session, House of Representatives, Doc.
No. 239. Mineral Lands of the United States. D. D. Owen’s
Survey of the Mineral Lands in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Northern
Illinois. 8vo.—From the Hon. J. R. Ingersoll.
Twenty-ninth Congress, Ist Session, Senate. No. 405. Report on
the Joint Committee on the Library. 8vo.— From Mr. T. R.
Peale.
Some Observations on the Ethnography and Archeology of the
American Aborigines. By Samuel George Morton, M.D. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Elementare Darstellung der Analyse der Fixstern-Bedeckungen des
Herrn Geheimen Rath Bessel. Von C. Riimker. Hamburg,
1846. 4to.—From the Author.
Primary Address to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. Delivered May 20,
1846. By Alonzo Potter, D.D., Bishop of said Diocese. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Pastoral Letter addressed to the Clergy and Laity of the Protestant
Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. By Alonzo
Potter, D.D., Bishop of said Diocese.—From the same.
Addresses at the Inauguration of the Hon. Edward Everett, LL.D.,
as President of the University of Cambridge, Thursday, April
30th, 1846. Svo.—From President Everett.
Critical and Miscellaneous Essays. ‘To which are added a few
Poems. By Alexander H. Everett. Boston, 1845. 8vo.—From
the Author.
273
Mr. Webster’s Vindication of the Treaty of Washington of 1842; in
a Speech delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the 6th
and 7th of April, 1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
Reports of the Joint Special Committee appointed by the Select and
Common Councils of Philadelphia, to consider the Petitions and
Communications relative to the Pennsylvania Rail-road Com-
pany, July 2d, 1846. 8vo.—From Mr. S. W. Roberts.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Tome XXII. Nos. 13 to 16, inclusive. 30th of March
to 20th of April, 1846. 4to. ‘Tables des Comptes Rendus,
Deuxiéme Semestre, 1845. Tome XXI.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisitme Série. Mai, 1846.
Tome XVII. 8vo.
Niles’ National Register, containing Political, Historical, Geographi-
cal, Scientifical, Statistical, Economical, and Biographical Docu-
ments, &c. From March to September, 1845. Vol. 68. From
September, 1845, to March, 1846. Vol. 69. Folio.
Dr. Patterson, from the Committee to whom was referred
the paper of Captain Stockton, U.S. N., read at the last meet-
ing, and relating to experiments in gunnery made by that gen-
tleman, reported in favour of its publication in the Transactions
of the Society. It was so ordered, and the Committee dis-
charged.
The obituary notice of Mons. Nicollet, prepared by Colonel
Abert, was read by the Secretary. On motion of Dr. Patter-
son, it was directed to be deposited among the archives of the
Society.
A letter addressed to the President of the Society, by Mr.
Chauncey, dated June 26, 1846, and referring to a communi-
cation, entitled “On a Parallatic Eye-piece,”’ forwarded to the
Society by a candidate for the Magellanic Premium, was read.
Dr. Patterson stated that the paper had been examined, and
that one of the Secretaries had communicated indirectly with
the author.
The attention of the Society was drawn by Dr. Bache to a
paper, in the Philosophical Magazine, by Messrs. Binney and
Harkness, on three fossil trees, termed, by geologists, sigilla-
274
rie. From the state of preservation in which these were
found, these gentlemen were enabled to determine that the
fossil plant, known as stigmaria, was the root of a sigillaria.
Observations of a similar character, anticipating this discovery
of Messrs. Binney and Harkness, were made some time since
by Mr. Steinhauer, a member of the Society, and published in
its Transactions.
Dr. Emerson remarked on the course and character of the
late meteor: one of the most singular of its phenomena was its
apparent proximity to the place from whence it was observed.
Its movement was gradual from south to north, but, without
approaching the horizon, it suddenly disappeared. Dr. Patter-
son stated these were the usual phenomena wherever it had
been observed, but that its real distance was far greater than
that at which it appeared to the eye.
New nominations, Nos. 190, 191, were read.
The Librarian reported, that in accordance with the request
of the Chairman of the Curators, he had delivered to Henry
M‘lIlvaine, Esq., attorney of Joseph E. Bloomfield, the two
silver Peruvian vases and the silver cestus, which were depo-
sited in the Cabinet of the Society, by Mr. Bloomfield, on the
16th of July, 1820.
It was moved by Judge Kane, that so much of the By-laws
as relates to the nomination of members, be referred to a Com-
mittee, to report such alterations as they may deem expedient.
The motion being agreed to by the Society, Judge Kane, Dr.
Ludlow, and Dr. Bethune, were appointed the Committee.
Mr. Ord offered the following preamble and resolution,
which were adopted:—
Whereas the eighth meeting of the Italian Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science, will be held in the City of Genoa on the 14th
September next, and it is expedient that the American Philosophical
Society be represented in that learned body, it is hereby—
Resolved, That our fellow member, Charles Lucien Bonaparte,
Prince of Canino and Musignano, now residing at Rome, be invited
to act as our representative at the meeting of the Association afore-
said, and that he be requested to aid in advancing all those objects
wherein the Italian Association and this Society have a mutual in-
terest.
275
The Treasurer made a statement as to the present condition
of the debt due to the estate of Mr. Dunn.
Stated Meeting, Jugust 21.
Present, seventeen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Institute of Sciences, Belles Lettres, and
Arts, of the Low Countries, dated March 30th, 1846, an-
nouncing a donation to the Library of the Society :—
From the Lyceum of Natural History, dated New York,
August 3d, 1846, acknowledging the reception of Vol. IX.
Part 2, of the Transactions of the Society:—
From the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston,
dated August 6th, 1846, stating that a copy of the Memoirs of
the Academy, Vol. II., New Series, had that day been for-
warded to the American Philosophical Society. (This volume
had not been received, and a notice to that effect was forwarded
by one of the Secretaries. )—
From Professor John Muller, of Berlin, dated May 20th,
1846, acknowledging his election as a member of this Society:
and,—
From the Central Commission of Statistics of Belgium, dated
Brussels, March 15, 1846, with a donation to the Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops et J. E. van der Trappen. Nos. 132, 138, 139, 140,
141. 4Ato.—From H. M. the King of the Netherlands.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Neder-
landsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone
Kunsten et Amsterdam. ‘Twaalfden Deels Tweede Stuk. Am-
sterdam, 1846. 4to.—From the Royal Institute of the Nether-
lands.
276
Nadere Waarnemingen en Proeven over de Onlangs Geheerscht
Hebbende Ziekte der Aardappelen, door G. Vrolik. Amsterdam,
1846. 8vo.—From the same.
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Edited
by the Vice Secretary. No. 6. May, 1846. 8vo.—From the
Society.
Report of the Fifteenth Meeting of the British Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science; held at Cambridge in June, 1845. Lon-
don, 1846. 8vo.—F rom the Association.
Journal Asiatique. Quatri¢me Série. Tome VII. No. 32. Mars,
1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
Annales des Mines. Quatriéme Série. Tome VIII. 5° et 6® Liv-
raisons de 1845. 8vo.— From the Engineers of Mines.
Statistique de la Belgique. Population. Mouvement de |’Etat civil
pendant année 1844. Publié par le Ministre de |’Intérieur.
Bruxelles, Novembre, 1845. Folio.—From the Central Com-
mission of Statistics.
Royaume de Belgique. Ministére de |’Interieur. Bulletin de la
Commission Centrale de Statistique. Deuxiéme partie du Tome
II. Bruxelles, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
Rapport au Ministre de I’Intérieur sur les ‘Travaux de la Commission
Centrale et des Commissions Provinciales de Statistique. Brux-
elles, le 4 Février, 1846. S8vo.—From the same.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. July, 1846.
8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I.
June, 1846. No. 6. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. August,
1846. No. 8. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Third
Series. Vol. XIJ. July and August, 1846. Nos. 1 and 2.—
From Dr. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. IV. August, 1846. No. 44.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Bibliographie Historique de la Statistique en Allemagne, avec une
Introduction Générale. Par Xavier Heuschling. Manuel prépa-
ratoire a l’etude de la Statistique. Bruxelles, 1845. 8vo.—From
the Author.
Opinion of Horace Binney, Esq., upon the Right of the City Coun-
cils to subscribe for Stock in the Pennsylvania Rail-road Com-
pany. July, 1846. 8vo.—From George W. Smith, Esq.
Q277
Map of the Harbour of Annapolis. Founded upon a Trigonometrical
Survey, under the Direction of A. D. Bache, Superintendent of
the Survey of the Coast of the United States, &c. &c. &c.—From
the Treasury Department.
Map of the Harbour of New Bedford. Founded upon a Trigonome-
trical Survey, under the Direction of A. D. Bache, Superintendent
of the Survey of the Coast of the United States, &c. &c. &c.—
From the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisiéme Série. Juin, 1846.
Tome XVII. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences. Par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels. Tome XXII. Nos.
17a21. 27 Avril au 25 Mai, 1846. Ato.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 557, 558, 559. Title and Index
to Vol. XXIII. Ato.
Mr. Ord announced the death of Mr. Samuel Humphreys,
U. S. Naval Constructor, and a member of this Society. He
died at Washington, D. C., on the 16th inst., at the age of 68.
On motion of Mr. Ord, Mr. Lenthall was requested to prepare
an obituary notice of the deceased.
Mr. Justice alluded to the manufacture of large disks of glass
for optical purposes, by Mons. Bouthoware, of Paris, and re-
marked that he had seen one free from all imperfection. Glass
for optical uses is now ground at New York, by Mr. Fitch.
Dr. Patterson inquired whether a companion star to Antares
had been observed at the High School Observatory; and re-
marked that Prof. Mitchell, of Cincinnati, had discovered such
a star, whose existence had not before been suspected. The
same had been also observed by Lieut. Maury and Mr. Walker,
at Washington; and while making the observation, Lieut.
Maury had observed a second star: but from a communication
from Mr. Walker, it seemed probable that this might be an
optical illusion. Mr. Justice stated that large glasses were
often the source of deception.
In continuing this conversation, Dr. Bache observed that
Prof. Airy had found great difficulty in procuring glass for the
278
new observatory at Liverpool, adapted for astronomical pur-
poses, and that he had been obliged to obtain it from Munich.
The British government had made, some years ago, large
appropriations for the instituting experiments on glass intended
for astronomical observations, but they had failed, though con-
ducted by some of the most distinguished men of science.
The Treasurer informed the Society, that the debt due to
the estate of Mr. Dunn, had been wholly liquidated.
Stated Meeting, September 18.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Franxuin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. June 17, 1841. No.
49. 8vo.—From the Royal ‘Society.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London.
Vol. VII. May 8,1846. No.7. 8vo.—From the Society.
Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. New
Series. Vol. I]. Cambridge, 1846. 4to.— From the Academy.
Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. January,
February, March, December, 1845. 8vo.—From the Society.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From April to August, 1846, inclusive. No. 12. 8vyo.
From the College. ;
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Septem-
ber, 1846. No. 9. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Electrical Magazine. Conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. II. No. 13. July, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editor.
Astronomical Observations made at the Naval Observatory, Wash-
ington, under Orders of the Honourable Secretary of the Navy,
dated Aug. 13, 1838. By Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, U.S. N. Printed
by order of the Senate of the United States. Washington, 1846.
8vo.—From the Author.
279
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 249. Third Series. Vol. XII. September, 1846.
No. 3. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No. 5.
September, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editors.
An Account of the Magnetic Observations made at the Observatory
of Harvard University, Cambridge. Communicated by Joseph
Lovering. 4to.—From Prof. Lovering.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. [V. September, 1846. No.
45. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea 5; Blanchard.
Correspondencia con los Ministros de Inglaterra, y de Francia sobre
los asuntos de la Pacificacion, presentada a la H. Sala de Repre-
sentantes por el Gobierno de Buenos- Aires, encargado de las Re-
laciones Exteriores de la Confederacion Argentina. Buenos-Aires,
1846. 4to.—From Don Pedro de Angelis.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Scientific Memoirs, selected from the Transactions of Foreign Acade-
mies of Science and Learned Societies, and from Foreign Jour-
nals. Edited by Richard Taylor, F.S.A. &c. Vol. 1V. Part XV.
June, 1846. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 560 to 563, inclusive. Altona,
May 30 to June 25. 4to.
Mr. Peale read the following letter from Dr. Franklin to
Dr. Kimmersley, dated London, July 17, 1771.
Dear Sir,—I was much obliged by your account of the effect of
the lightning on Mr. Holder’s house. It will be in the Transactions
here. I wonder it is not to be found in yours. Those here, who
aimed at obtaining a very great electric force, have been much dis-
couraged by the breaking of the bottles that composed their batteries.
A gentleman of my acquaintance lost eight out of twenty at one
stroke; another twelve out of forty. Having heard that Pére Bec-
caria had lined the inside of a great iron kettle with cement, and then
coated a part of the cement with tinfoil, from whence he could dis-
charge a great stroke; and if any crack happened to his cement, he
mended it again with a hot iron; I recommended trying to make
batteries of paper, by straining the sheets on frames, drying them hot
before the fire; then impregnating them with melted wax, and after-
wards coating them with tinfoil. This another ingenious friend has -
VOL. IV.--2 0
280
tried, and, as he writes me, it succeeds. The same (Mr. Henley)
has invented an electrometer, which seems useful. I send you a
draft of it. It shows in what degree a bottle is charged; that is,
whether half, three-quarters, &c.: so that knowing the force of a full
charge of any bottle or battery, you may by this, while charging,
know the proportion you have of such force. Your experiment,
showing that a stroke with black lead on paper would conduct a
shock, was new to me. I mentioned it to some, who since tell me
that they also find the solid black lead in a pencil conducts as well as
wire; which, indeed (the other being true), is not to be wondered at.
It is, however, the only property of metal black lead possesses, as far
as we yet know it. Mr. Canton melts silver and gold wire by elec-
tricity, not only into fine white little globules, but also into spherules
of glass, some of which he has shown me by his microscope. They
were transparent, the light passing through them, and appearing in a
focus on the paper. Mr. Henley has several times melted iron wire
lying at the bottom of a white stone plate filled with water. The
iron was destroyed, and marked the plate with an indelible black
stroke. Sparks flew from it out through the water, and fell red-hot
A B, an ivory rod, round, with a knob at the top, six inches high.
C, a short tin socket, fixed to the prime conductor, to receive the end of
the iron rod.
D, a cork or pith ball, at the end of a small ivory arm, turning on an axis
at KE.
F,, a semicircular plane of ivory, graduated at the edge, to mark the rise wf
the ball by the small arm passing over the graduations.
281
on the table. I wish I had any thing of more importance to commu-
nicate. Business during the winter takes up my time, so that I make
no experiments myself; but what I hear of I shall continue to send
you.
Being with sincere esteem, dear sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
B. FRANKLIN.
Dr. Patterson gave a general account of the mathematical
inquiries recently conducted by Mons. Le Verrier, to explain
the apparent diversity between the actual observed position of
the planet Uranus, and the position it should occupy according
to the laws of gravitation. Assuming that another planet exists
beyond Uranus, at the distance from the Sun which the laws of
Bode would indicate; that its orbit was nearly circular, and in
the zodiac; and that its mass was equal to that of Uranus; he
determined that a planet so assumed would account for the per-
turbations observed in regard to Uranus, from the position it
should occupy, according to the laws of gravitation, if the pla-
net was in a particular place at a given epoch.
Stated Meeting, October 2.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Royal Geographical Society of London, dated
Feb. 21, 1846, acknowledging the reception of Vol. IX. Part
2d, of the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society,
and of Nos. 32, 33, of the Proceedings:—
From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark,
Sept. 7, 1846, stating that they had sent their publications to
the American Philosophical Society, and asking, in return, do-
nations to their Library :—
From P. de Angelis, dated Buenos Ayres, Feb. 20, 1846,
accompanying a donation to this Society of official documents:
and,—
282
From Dr. Asa Gray, dated Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 26, and
Sept. 4th, 1846, in relation to a donation sent by him to the
American Philosophical Society.
On motion of Judge Kane, the New Jersey Historical So-
ciety was placed among those societies that are in correspond-
ence with the American Philosophical Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XVI. 1846. Part I. S8vo.—From the Society.
The Royal Geographical Society and its Labours. 1846. 8vo.—
From the same.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VI. June 12, 1846. No. 8. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Quarierly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Edited
by the Vice Secretary of the Geological Society. Aug. 1, 1846.
No. 7. &vo.—From the Geological Society.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisi¢me Série. ‘Tome V.
Paris, 1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal Asiatique. Quatriéme Série. Tome VII. Avril, Mai, 1846.
Nos. 33, 34. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. IV.
August, 1846. Nos. 6,7. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.
Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. I. 1846.
8vo.—From the New Jersey Historical Society.
Constitution, By-laws, and Circular, of the New Jersey Historical
Society. 8vo.—From the same.
Proceedings of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. J. 1845.
No. 1. 8vo.—From the same.
The First Annual Address before the New Jersey Historical Society,
at their Meeting in Trenton, on Monday, January 15,1846. By
the Right Rev. G. W. Doane, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of New Jer-
sey. Burlington, 1846. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Abstract of the Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the As-
sociation of American Geologists and Naturalists, held in New
Haven, Conn., April, 1845. New Haven, 1845. 8vo.—From
the Association.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1V. October, 1846. No. 46.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
283
-De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereld: of Beschryving van America en
’t Zuid-Land, vervaetende d’Oorsprong der Americaenen en Zuid-
landers, gedenkwaerdige togten derwaerds, Gelegendheid der
vaste Kusten, Eilanden, Steden, Sterkten, Dorpen, Tempels, &c.
&c. Door Arnoldus Montanus. Amsterdam, 1671. Folio.—
From John J. Vanderkemp, Esq.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Profes-
sor Jameson. Nos. 76 to 81, inclusive. April, 1845, to July,
1846. 8vo.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Conducted by Sir David Brewster and
others. Third Series. Nos. 172 to 192, inclusive. March,
1845, to August, 1846. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 564 to 570, inclusive. Ato.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Par MM. Gay-Lussac, Arago,
Chevreul et Autres. Troisiéme Série. Tome XVII. Juillet,
Aout, 1846. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de |’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXII. Nos. 22 to 26. Tome XXIII. Nos. 1 to 3.
June 1st to 20th July, 1846. Ato.
Dr. Patterson read the following letter addressed to him by
the late Dr. Rose.
Silver Lake, May 19, 1823.
_ Dear Sir,—Shortly after my return home (April 12th), I had the
temperature of the water in this lake, and another which is about four
miles from it, ascertained. A bottle of water was sunk to the bottom
in this lake, 90 feet; in the other, 75 feet; and after lying twenty-
four hours, drawn up, and the water contained in it was found to be,
in both instances, 42° of Fahr. In midsummer, last year, I tried the
temperature of the water here in the manner mentioned above, and
found it, at an hundred feet deep, to be 46°.
Very respectfully,
R. H. ROSE.
Prof. Frazer alluded to the experiments made in the Gulf
Stream by the late Lieut. George Bache, of the U. S. Coast
Survey. The temperature of the surface was 80° Fahr.; but
at the depth of 1500 fathoms it reached as low as 37°.
284
‘Nominations No. 190 and 191 were read.
Mr. Nulty asked permission to withdraw a communication,
now in the hands of the Publication Committee, in order that
he might offer a substitute.
Stated Meeting, October 16.
Present, twenty-nine members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was announced and read:—
On behalf of the Nantucket Atheneum, dated Nantucket,
October 12th, 1846, asking the Society to aid in the re-esta-
blishment of their library, destroyed by fire on the 13th and
14th ultimo, and “to spare a portion of their duplicate volumes
and such other works as they may feel quite free to bestow.”’
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Octo-
ber, 1846. No. 10. 8yvo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXIV. New Series. October, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Editor.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 250. Third Series. Vol. XII. No. 4. 8vo.—From
Dr. R. M. Patterson.
A Dictionary of Medical Science, containing a Concise Account of
the various Subjects and Terms; with the French and other
Synonymes, &c. By Robley Dunglison, M.D. Sixth Edition.
Revised and greatly enlarged. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.—From
the Author.
New Remedies. By Robley Dunglison, M.D. Fifth Edition, with
extensive Additions. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.— From the same.
Human Physiology. With three hundred and sixty-eight Illustra-
tions. By Robley Dunglison, M.D. Sixth Edition, greatly im-
proved. In Two Volumes. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.—From
the same.
285
General Therapeutics and Materia Medica. With one hundred and
twenty Illustrations. Adapted for a Medical Text Book. By
Robley Dunglison, M.D. Third Edition, revised and improved.
In Two Volumes. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.—From the same.
Prof. Henry laid before the Society the results of some in-
vestigations that he had lately made in physical science, and a
theory of the causes of the phenomena observed. The well
known phenomenon of a ball resting on a jet of water, he as-
eribed to the action of three different causes—Iist. To the ad-
hesion of the water to the ball. 2d. To the adhesion of the
water to itself. 3d. To the tendency of water to move in a
straight line, and also to the principle of action and reaction.
He had also made experiments in regard to the interference of
heat, for the purpose of discovering whether certain pheno-
mena of interference of light were exhibited as well in the
ease of caloric. He found it to be so, and that two rays of
heat may be thrown on each other, so as to produce a reduc-
tion of temperature.
The Society then proceeded to an election of members.
Dr. Patterson, from the Committee of Finance, reported the
liquidation of the debt of the Society to the estate of the late
Nathan Dunn.
All other business of the evening having been concluded, the
ballot boxes were opened, and the following gentlemen de-
clared to be elected members of the Society :—
Ricuarp L. M‘Cutzocu, of Philadelphia.
Czeva Grimaxpi, Marquis of Pietracatella, of Naples.
Stated Meeting, November 6.
Present, twenty-nine members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Mr. R. L. M‘Culloch, a newly elected member, was intro-
duced, and took his seat.
Letters were received and read :—
From the Royal Society of Sciences of Copenhagen, dated
286
March 20th, 1846, announcing their reception of the Transac-
tions and Proceedings of the Society; and also another from
the same body, stating that they had forwarded donations to
the Library of the American Philosophical Society :—
From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manches-
ter, dated April 27th, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of the
Transactions and Proceedings of this Society: and,—
From Dr. 8. G. Morton, dated Philadelphia, October 26th,
1846, proposing to exchange books for the Mexican skull in
the possession of the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Naturvidens kabe-
lige og Mathematiske Afhandlinger. Ellevete Deel. Med 16
Kobbertavler og et Kort. Copenhagen, 1845. 4to.—From the
Royal Society of Copenhagen.
Collectanea Meteorologica sub auspiciis Societatis Scientiarum Da-
nice edita. Fase III. Continens Observationes in Guinea Insti-
tutas. Haunie, 1845. 4to.—From the same.
Oversigt over det Kgl. Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Forhand-
linger og dets Medlemmers Arbeider i Aaret, 1844 og 1845.
Copenhagen, 1845, 1846. 8vo.—From the same.
Naturlehre des Schénen von H. C. Orsted. Ausdem Danischen von
H. Beise. Hamburg, 1845. 8vo.—From the Author.
Expedition Shells: described for the Work of the United States Ex-
ploring Expedition, commanded by Charles Wilkes, U. S. N.,
during the Years 1838—1842. By Augustus A. Gould, M.D.
Boston, 1846. 8vo.—From Capt. Wilkes.
Oration delivered before the Agricultural and Mechanics’ Association
of Louisiana, on the 12th of May, 1845, by Judge P. A. Rost.
Philadelphia, 1845. 8vo.—From the Hon. Jos. R. Ingersoll.
On the Volcanoes of the Moon. By James D. Dana. Read before
the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists, Septem-
ber, 1846. Extracted from the American Journal of Science,
Vol. II]. Second Series. 8vo.—From the Author.
Dr. Patterson informed the Society, that the planet lately
discovered by Le Verrier, had been observed by Gallé, of
Berlin, on the 23d September, 1846; on the 23d October, at
287
Washington, D. C.; and on the 24th, at the High School Ob-
servatory of this city.
The reference to a paper presented at the preceding meeting
of the Society, led Professor Henry to make some remarks on
the corpuscular hypothesis of the constitution of matter.
He stated that this subject has occupied attention at every period
of the history of science; and though, at first sight, speculations of
this kind might appear to belong exclusively to the province of the
imagination, yet, in reality, he considered this hypothesis a fruitful
source of valuable additions to our knowledge of the actual pheno-
mena of the physical world. ‘Though simple insulated facts may oc-
casionally be stumbled upon by a lucky accident, the discovery of a
series of facts, or of a general scientific principle, is, in almost all
cases, the result of deductions from a rational antecedent hypothesis,
the product of the imagination; founded, it is true, on a clear analogy
with modes of physical action, the truth of which have been esta-
blished by previous investigation.
in constructing an hypothesis of the constitution of matter, the
simplest assumption, and indeed the only one founded on a proper
physical analogy, is, that the same laws of force and motion which
govern the phenomena of the action of matter in masses, pertains to
the minutest atoms of these masses.
It is a well established fact, that portions of matter at a distance
tend to approach each other, and when they are brought very near,
to separate, and still nearer again, to approach; and so on through
several alternations. In the present state of science, we consider
these actions as ultimate facts, to which we give the name of attract-
ing and repelling forces; and without attempting to go behind them,
we may study their laws of variation as to intensity and direction
under different circumstances, and particularly in reference to a
change of distance. Bodies or masses of matter are also subjected
to fixed laws of motion, which have been classed under three heads,
namely, the law of inertia, or tendency to resist a change of state,
and to move in a straight line with a constant velocity; the law of
the coexistence of separate motions; and the law of the equality of
action and reaction.
The explanation of a mechanical phenomenon consists in its ana-
lysis, and the reference of its several parts to the foregoing laws of
force and motion; and as no phenomenon, whether it relates to
masses or the minutest portions of matter, is fully explained until it
VOL. IV.—2 P
288
can be referred to one or more of these laws, it follows that any cor-
puscular hypothesis which does not ascribe to each atom of matter
the property of obedience to the same laws, must be defective. It
was for this reason, said Professor H., that in printing a syllabus of
my lectures, about two years ago, | was induced to make some addi-
tions to the assumptions on which the corpuscular hypothesis of Bos-
covich is founded. According to this celebrated hypothesis, a portion
of matter consists of an assemblage in space of an indefinite number
of points kept at a given distance by attracting and repelling forces.
These points have relative position, but not magnitude, and are
merely centres of action of the forces which affect our senses; and
since all our knowledge of matter is derived from the action of these
forces, to infer that these points are any thing more than the centres
of forces, is going beyond our premises.
This hypothesis readily explains the statical properties of bodies,
such as elasticity, porosity, impenetrability, solidity, liquidity, erys-
tallization, resistance to compression when a force is applied to either
side of a body, &c.; but it fails to account for the dynamic pheno-
mena of masses of matter, or those which are referrible to the three
laws of motion. It is not, therefore, enough, that we assume, as the
elements of matter, an assemblage of points in space, from which
merely emanate attracting and repelling forces; we must also sup-
pose these points to be endowed with inertia, or a tendency to resist
a change of state, whether of rest or motion, and a tendency to move
in a straight line; also to possess the property of preserving the
effects of a number of impulses, as well as that of transferring motion
from one point to another, the one losing as much motion as the
other gains. But the admission of the existence of points with such
qualities, brings us back to the Newtonian hypothesis of matter.
According to the view we have given, a portion of matter consists
of an assemblage of indivisible and indestructible atoms endowed with
attracting and repelling forces, and with the property of obedience to
the three laws of motion. All the other properties, and indeed all the
mechanical phenomena of matter, so far as they have been analyzed,
are probably referrible to the action of such atoms, arranged in
groups of different orders, namely, of ultimate atoms, chemical atoms,
simple molecules, compound molecules, particles, &c.; the distance
in all cases, ‘between any two atoms, being much greater than the
diameter of the atoms or molecules.
In order that we may bring the phenomena of the imponderable
agents of nature, as they are called, under the category of the laws
289
of force and motion, we are obliged to assume the existence of an
ethereal medium formed of atoms, which are endowed with precisely
the same properties as those we have assigned to common matter ;
and this assumption leads us to the inference, that matter is diffused
through all space.
That something exists between us and the sun, possessing the pro-
perties of matter, may be inferred from the simple fact, that time is
required for the transmission of light and heat through the intervening
space. The phenomena of the transmitted motion, in these cases,
are perfectly represented by undulations, in a medium composed of
very minute atoms of ordinary matter, endowed with all the mecha-
nical properties we have mentioned. Indeed, the motion is analo-
gous, though not precisely similar to the transmission of sound
through air; the time, however, in the two cases, being very dif-
ferent. Light passes the space between us and the sun in about eight
minutes, while sound, through air, would require 133 years to per-
form the same journey. This difference in velocity is, however,
readily explained by a difference in density and elasticity of air, and
the ethereal medium. That the phenomena of light and heat from
the sun are not the effect of transmission, without intervening matter,
of mere force, such as that of attraction or repulsion, is evident from
the fact, that these actions require no perceptible time for their trans-
missicn to the most distant part of the solar system. Ifthe sun were
at once to be annihilated, the planet Neptune would, at the same in-
stant, begin to move in a tangent to its present orbit. Also, the phe-
nomena of electricity and magnetism involve the consideration of
time; the discharge of the former through a copper wire is trans-
mitted with about the velocity of light, and the development of the
latter, in an iron bar, is attended with a change in the ponderable
molecules of the metal, which requires time for its completion.
According to the foregoing views we may assume, with Newton,
the existence of one kind of matter diffused throughout all space, and
existing in four states, namely, the ethereal, the aériform, the liquid,
and the solid. This method of presenting the atomic hypothesis of
the constitution of matter, may at first sight appear startling; but on
a little reflection, it will be found a necessary consequence of the
attempt to explain the mechanical phenomena of matter by an as-
semblage of separate atoms. It may be objected to the assumption
of one kind of matter, that the fact of the imponderable nature of
light, heat, electricity and magnetism, require at least two kinds of
matter; but if we adopt the theory of undulation, the phenomena of
290
the imponderables, as they are called, are merely the results of the
motions of the atoms of the ethereal medium, combined, in some
cases, with the motion of the atoms of the body; and since the vibra-
tions of the atoms of a mass of matter do not increase the attraction
of the earth on the mass, an increase of temperature in a body cannot
change its weight; and also because the ethereal medium fills all
space, a portion of this medium can no more exhibit weight, than a
quantity of air when weighed in the midst of the atmosphere.
The points here noticed, relate merely to the fundamental con-
ceptions of the corpuscular or atomic constitution of matter, and
not to the arrangement of the atoms into systems of groups, which
are necessary to represent the varied and complicated mechanical
and chemical phenomena exhibited in the physical changes going on
around us. Though he could not, at this time, attempt to give any
details of the application of this hypothesis, he drew attention to one
class of facts, of which it is important to furnish an expression in the
arrangement of the atoms. He alluded to the facts of polarity, or
those which exhibit the action ef opposite forces at the extremities of
molecules or of masses. The north and south poles of twe magnets,
brought together, neutralize each other; the attraction of one is ba-
lanced by the repulsion of the other, and the point of junction is with-
out action on a third ferruginous body. In the same manner, appa-
rently, two chemical elements which enter into combination exhibit a
neutralizing effect, which indicates the existence of polar forces in the
phenomena of chemical action. Nothing, however, is perceptible of
this kind in the effects of gravitation; the action of two particles on
each other does not interfere with the action, at the same time, of
these two, on any number of other particles.
In conclusion, it should be remembered that the legitimate use of
speculations of this kind is not to furnish plausible explanations of
known phenomena, or to present old knowledge in a new and more
imposing dress, but to serve the purpose of suggesting new experi-
ments and new phenomena, and thus to assist in enlarging the bounds
of science, and extending the power of mind over matter; and unless
the hypothesis can be employed in this way, however much ingenuity
may have been expended in its construction, it can only be considered
as a scientific romance worse than useless, since it tends to satisfy
the mind with the semblance of truth, and thus to render truth itself
less an object of desire.
'
291
Stated Meeting, November 20.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Lombardy Institute of Science, Letters and
Arts, dated Milan, June, 1846, informing the Society that they
had forwarded donations of books, and asking, in exchange,
its publications:—
From N. P. Rolando, dated London, October 8th, 1846, ac-
companying the communication from the Lombardy Institute,
and offering his services in transmitting donations:—
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin, dated Ber-
lin, August 1st, 1846, acknowledging the reception of the
Transactions of this Society, Vol. 1X., Parts 1 and 2, and Pro-
ceedings, Nos. 28 to 34; the Transactions of the Historical and
Literary Committee, Vol. III., Part 1; and Dunglison’s Dis-
course on Du Ponceau:—
From the same, dated Berlin, August Ist, 1846, transmitting
a donation to the Society :—
‘From the Regents of the University of New York, dated
Albany, Nov. 11, 1846, acknowledging their having received
No. 35, Vol. IV., of the Proceedings of this Society: and,—
From Maximilian, Prince of Wied, dated New Wied, on
the Rhine, March 26, 1845, acknowledging the notice of his
election as a member of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Abhandlungen der K6niglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Aus dem Jahre, 1844. Berlin, 1846. 4to.—From the
Royal Academy of Berlin.
Bericht tiber die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der
K6nigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. Juli,
August, September, October, November, December, 1845. Jan-
uar, Februar, Marz, April, Mai, Juni, 1846. 8vo.—From the
same.
292
Nouveaux Mémoires de Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-
Lettres de Bruxelles. Tomes XVII. et XVIII. 1844, 1845.
4to.—From the Royal Academy of Brussels.
Mémoires Couronnés et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers, publiés
par Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de Brux-
elles. Tomes XVII. et XVIII. 1848-1844, 1844-1845. 4to.—
From the same.
Bulletins de l’Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de
Bruxelles. ‘Tome XI. Nos. 9412. 1844. Tome XII. Nos. 1
a6. 1845. 8vo.—From the same.
Annuaire de Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de
Bruxelles. Onziéme Année, 1845. 12mo.—From the same.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVI. Part II.
Edinburgh, 1846. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. Il. Nos. 27
and 28. 1845-6. 8vo.—F rom the same.
Archzologia: or Miscellaneous Tracts relating to Antiquity. Pub-
lished by the Society of Antiquaries of London. Volume XXXI.
London, 1846. 4to.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. Part XIII. 1845.
8vo.—From the Society.
Reports of the Council and Auditors of the Zoological Society of
London, read at the Annual General Meeting, April 29, 1846.
8vo.—From the same. ,
The Transactions of the Linnean Society of London. Vol. XX.
‘Part the First. London, 1846. 4to.—From the Linnean So-
ciety.
List of the Linnean Society of London. 1846. 4to.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London, Nos. 27, 28, 29.
8vo.—From the same.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. No. XVII. Part I. Vol. IX. Part I. London, 1846.
8vo.—From the Royal Asiatic Society.
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ire-
land. Vol. X. Part I. Containing the, Persian Cuneiform In-
scription at Behistun, decyphered and translated; with a Memoir
on Persian Cuneiform Inscriptions in general, and on that of Be-
histun in particular. By Major H. C. Rawlinson, C. B. Lon-
don, 1846. 8vo.—From the same.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Novem-
293
ber, 1846. No. 11. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. [V. November, 1846. No.
47. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Profes-
sor Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana. Second
Series. November, 1846. No. 6. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 251. Third Series. Vol. XII. November, 1846.
No. 5. 8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology.
Vol. XIII. Nos. 81 to 87, inclusive.
Pilea eowkats aio” iam
a Nig JortoruOM, 3
a ORNS OS to l0a: As
XVII. 8 1D cor meas
OVA Aono tl 20) “
8vo.—From Sir William Jardine, Bart.
Annales de Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles, publi¢es, aux frais de
Etat, par le Directeur, A. Quetelet. Tome IV. Bruxelles, 1845.
4to.—From the Director.
Annuaire de l’Observatoire Royal, par le Directeur, A. Quetelet.
1845. 12° Année. 12mo.—From the same.
Observations des Phénoménes Périodiques. Extrait du Tome XVIII.
des Mémoires de |’Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres
de Bruxelles. 4to.—From A. Quetelet.
Memoir on the Megatherium, and other extinct Gigantic Quadrupeds
of the Coast of Georgia, with Observations on its Geologic Fea-
tures. By William B. Hodgson. New York, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Relacion de Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes de la Fragata
de S. M. Santa Maria de la Cabeza en los Anos de 1785 y 1786.
Extracto de todos los anteriores desde su descubrimiento impresos
y MSS., y noticia de los habitantes, suelo, clima y producciones
del Estrecho. Trabajada de orden del Rey. Madrid, 1788.
Ato.—From Richard C. Taylor, Esq.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor
Jameson. July to October, 1846. Vol. XLI. No. 82. 8vo.
294
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. No. 193. September, 1846.
No. 195. November, 1846. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 571 to 574, inclusive. Nos. 577,
580, 581. Ato.
DONATION TO THE CABINET.
A case containing two Medals, one of Silver and the other of Bronze,
struck in Commemoration of the First President of the Royal
Academy of Sciences of Berlin, Godofr. Wilh. L. B. de Leibniz.
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin.
Professor Frazer informed the Society of the death of Isaiah
Lukens, a member of the Society, who died on the 12th of
November, in his 69th year.
On motion, Mr. Trego was requested to prepare an obituary
notice of the deceased.
Mr. Ord informed the Society of the death of Don Martin
Fernando de Navarreto, President of the Royal Academy of
History of Madrid, a member of this Society, who died at
Madrid, October 8th, 1846.
Professor Frazer brought before the Society the subject of
the manufacture of an explosive substance made from cotton.
It is made by immersing cotton in strong nitric and sulphuric
acids, and also with strong nitric acid alone. The process was
detailed, and a specimen exhibited. It possesses an hygros-
copic property; and when containing water is less explosive,
though its strength is restored on being dried.
Pending nomination, No. 192, and new nominations, 193,
194, were read.
Dr. Dunglison, as Secretary to the Board of Officers, read
the proceedings of the Board at their last meeting; and on mo-
tion of Dr. Patterson, the action of the Board in relation to a
paper offered for the Magellanic Premium, entitled “A Trea-
tise on the Parailatic Eye-piece,”’ was approved. The opinion
of the Board was to this effect—That the treatise is very
learned and elaborate, and founded on a principle that is new
in its application, and may lead to important results; but that
the instrument itself has never been constructed, and conse-
quently its supposed advantages have never been tested; while
295
the case is one which particularly requires experimental inves-
tigation, without which, indeed, no satisfactory conclusion can
be drawn as to the merits or defects of the proposed appa-
ratus. The Board, therefore, judge that the award of the
Magellanic Premium to the inventor, at this time, would be
premature; and they accordingly recommend that all action
with regard to it be postponed until the merits of the instru-
ment have been tested by actual trial, and that the Treatise be
placed in the archives, for the disposal of the author.
Stated Meeting, December 4.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read: —
From Mr. John Plumbe, dated Philadelphia, December 4,
1846, asking permissien to copy the portrait of Mr. Jefferson,
belonging to the Society, for the purpose of forming one of a
series of national portraits now in course of publication by
him.
On motion of Dr. Dunglison, Mr. Plumbe was permitted to
take a copy, under the inspection of the Librarian.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits et de Notices
relatifs a Histoire, a la Philosophie, aux Langues et a la Littéra-
ture des Peuples Orientaux. Quatriéme Série. Tome VII. No.
35. Juin, 1846. Tome VIII. No. 36. Juillet, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Mémoires de la Société Royale des Sciences, de |’Agriculture et des
Arts, de Lille. Année, 1843. Lille, 1844. Svo.—From the
Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. HI. Nos. 4 and 5. July to October, 1846. 8vo.—From
the Academy.
VOL. IV.—2 Q
296
The Medical News and Library. Vol. 1V. December, 1846. No. 48.
Svo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisiéme Série. ‘Tome XVIII.
Septembre, Octobre, 1846. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de |’ Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXIII. Nos. 4 to 12. 27th July to the 21st Sep-
tember, 1846. Ato.
An obituary notice of Redmond Conyngham, by Bishop
Potter, was read by the Secretary.
Professor Norton read a communication, entitled “A New
Theory of Imponderables,”’? which was referred to a Commit-
tee, consisting of Prof. Henry, Dr. Patterson, and Mr. M‘Cul-
loch.
The Treasurer presented his annual accounts, which were
referred to the Committee of Finance.
The Committee of Publication presented their report, which
was read by the Chairman.
Pending nominations, Nos. 192, 193, 194, were read.
Stated Meeting, December 18.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Institute of Sciences and Belles-Lettres at
Amsterdam, dated September 22d, 1846, acknowledging the
reception of the Transactions of the American Philosophical
Society, Vol. I, Part 2, and Proceedings Nos. 33 and 34.
From Mr. John F. Watson, dated Dec. 14, 1846, asking
permission to make use of certain MSS. belonging to the So-
ciety. On motion, this request was referred to the Librarian,
to report thereon.
2a
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Memorie dell’ Imperiale Regio Istituto del Regno Lombardo-Veneto.
Volume Primo, Anni 1812 e 1813.
» secondo, , 1814e¢1815.
ee Lerzoy 55° NSiG ee VeL7.
3 i Quarts, o,,)0 Hess:
» Quinto, ,, 1888.
4to.—From the Royal Lombardy Institute of Milan.
Memorie dell’ J. R. Istituto Lombardo di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti.
Volume Primo, 1843. Volume Secondo, 1845. 4to.—From the
same.
Gioynale dell’ I. R. Istituto Lombardo di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti.
Volumes I to 5. 1841 to 1845, inclusive. Svo.—From the
same.
Elogio di Bonaventura Cavalieri, recitato inaugurandosi au Monu-
mento alla Memoria di lui all’ Occasione del Sesto Congresso
Scientifico Italiano in solenne adunanza straordinaria dell’ J. R.
Istituto Lombardo di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti. Da Gabrio Piola,
Presidente dello Stesso I. R. Istituto, etc. Two Copies. Milano,
1844. 4to.—From the same.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. September to November, 1846, inclusive. Vol. II.
No. 1. 8vo.—From the College.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Decem-
ber, 1846. No. 12. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
Fourth Bulletin of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science.
Washington, D.C. February, 1845, to November, 1846. 8vo.
From the Institute.
A New and Complete French and English, and English and French
Dictionary, on the Basis of the Royal Dictionary compiled by
Professors Fleming and Tibbins, &c. &c. By Charles Picot and
Judah Dobson. Third Edition. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.— From
J. Dobson, Esq.
Dr. Elwyn read a paper, by Mr. Wm. M‘Ilvaine, a con-
tinuation of his Memoir on a Perpetual Calendar, submitted
by him to the Society, on the 15th August, 1845, which was,
298
on motion, referred to the same Committee who had charge of
the first communication.
The present meeting being the one at which, according to
the rules of the Society, applications for premiums should be
considered, and the resolution of the Society, passed the 20th
of Noy. 1846, on the subject of the parallatic eye-piece, being
out of order, the following resolution was offered:
*“‘ Resolved, That the action of the Society on the Treatise on a Pa-
rallatic Eye-piece, upon the 20th of November last, be and the same
is hereby confirmed.”
On motion of Mr. Lea, at the request of Mr. Haldeman, this
gentleman had leave to make certain amendments to his paper
on Longicornia, already ordered for publication.
Dr. Patterson exhibited to the Society a bronze medal of
President Polk, recently prepared at the Mint of the United
States. This medal is the representation on a small scale of a
much larger medallion formed in wax, as a portrait from life.
The wax medallion being covered with a metal die powder,
is by the electrotype process and a subsequent transfer in sand,
made to form a mould, from which a new medallion is cast
in fine iron. The iron medallion is then placed under the ac-
tion of a portrait lathe propelled by steam, and by the con-
tinued action of the lathe, a die is cut of the desired size, and
of softened steel. The die is then slightly retouched, and
being afterwards hardened, is applied in the ordinary manner
of striking medals. This medal is beautifully finished, and
bears a comparison with those made by the direct action of
the die-sinker.
Pending nominations, Nos. 193, 194, were read, and new
nomination, No. 195, was presented and read.
Dr. Meigs, on leave, made a verbal communication on the
Corpus Luteum, which he had recently observed by a power-
ful microscope.
On motion of the Librarian, it was ordered, that a complete
set of the Transactions be sent to the Royal Lombardy Insti-
tute of Science and Arts, at Milan.
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
View. IV; JAN. FEB. & MARCH, 1847. No. 37.
Stated Meeting, January 1.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Partrrson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
The judges of the annual election held this day, reported
that the following officers had been chosen for the present
year:—
President.
Nathaniel Chapman, M.D.
Vice-Presidents.
R. M. Patterson, M.D.
Franklin Bache, M.D.
A. Dallas Bache, LL.D.
Secretaries.
Hon. J. K. Kane,
Robley Dunglison, M.D.
A. L. Elwyn, M.D.
J. F. Frazer.
Counsellors for Three Years.
Rebert Hare, M.D.
Wm. Hembel,
C. D. Meigs, M.D.
Henry Vethake.
Curators.
F. Peale,
J. P. Wetherill,
John C. Cresson.
Treasurer.
George Ord.
VOL. IV.—2 R
300
Letters were received and read: —
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of France, dated 19th
November, 1846, acknowledging the receipt of the Society’s
Transactions, Vol. IX. Part 2, New Series: the Transactions
of the Historical and Literary Committee of the Society, Vol.
III. Part 1: the Bulletin of the Society, Vol. IV. Nos. 30, 34,
&e. &e.: and,—
From the Western University of Pennsyivania, stating the
destruction of their Library by fire, together with their appa-
ratus and Cabinet, and asking aid from the Society to restore
their Library.
Which letter was, on motion, referred to the Librarian.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Astronomical Observations made at the Radcliffe Observatory, Ox-
ford, in the Year 1844. By Manuel J. Johnson, M.A., Radcliffe
Observer. Published by order of the Radcliffe Trustees. Vol. V.
Oxford, 1846. 8vo.—From the Radcliffe Trustees.
Twenty-sixth Report of the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and
Literary Society, at the close of the Session, 1845-46. Leeds,
1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr., and J. D. Dana. Second Series.
Vol. II!. No. 7. January, 1847. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Sound and Sanctified Scholarship: An Address delivered at the Dedi-
cation of the New Edifice of the Western University of Pennsyl-
vania, &c. By David H. Riddle, D.D. Pittsburgh, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Trustees.
Reports of the Surveyors General, accompanying the Annual Report
of the Commissioner of the General Land Office of Nov. 29,
1845. Doc. No. 12. Part 2.—From the Hon. Jos. R. Inger-
soll.
Treaties of Peace between Great Britain, the United States of Ame-
rica, and France, in the English, French, and Chinese Languages.
Reprinted from the Chinese Repository. 8vo.—From Andrew
P. Happer.
A Committee, consisting of G. W. Smith, Dr. R. M. Patter-
son, and F’. Peale, was appointed to inquire into and report
301
concerning the destruction at sea, by lightning, of the packet
ship Thomas P. Cope, of this port.
Stated Meeting, January 15.
Present, twenty-four members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Upon taking the chair, Dr. Chapman returned thanks to the
members for his election to the office of President of the So-
ciety.
A letter was received and read:—
From Mr. John B. Sartori, dated Leghorn, 20th September,
1846, announcing the donation of specimens of fixed mercury,
which he desired to be examined.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Se-
lected from the Records. May 26th to December Ist, 1846, in-
clusive.—From the Academy.
Boletin de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais de Valencia.
Afio 7. Tomo 4°. Agosto, 1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. 25. January, 1847. Vol. XIII. 8vo.—From
the Editor.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 253. Third Series. Vol. XIII. January, 1847.
No. 1. 8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. January,
1847. No.1. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. January, 1847. No. 49.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea 5 Blanchard.
Life of John Heckewelder. By the Rev. Edward Rondthaler. Edited
by B. H. Coates, M.D. Philadelphia, 1847. 12mo.—rom Mr.
Townsend Ward.
Message of the President of the United States, communicating a Re-
port of an Expedition, led by Lieut. Abert, on the Upper Arkan-
302
sas, and through the Country of the Camanche Indians, in the
Fall of the Year 1845. ‘Twenty-ninth Congress, First Session,
Senate, Document No. 438. Two Copies.—From Colonel J. J.
Abert.
Annual Report of the Canal Commissioners, transmitted to the Go-
vernor in pursuance of Law, for the Financial Year ending Nov.
30, 1846. Harrisburg, 1847. 8vo.—From Charles B. Trego,
Esq:
Dr. Meigs read a paper upon the Corpus Luteum, which
was referred to a Committee, consisting of Drs. Horner, God-
dard, and Dunglison.
Mr. George Ord was reélected Librarian.
The following Standing Committees were appointed: —
Of Finance.—Clement C. Biddle, R. M. Patterson, Isaac
Lea.
On the Hall.—G. Campbell, F. Fraley, John K. Kane.
On the Library.—I\saac Hays, G. Campbell, I. Pennington.
On Publication.—Isaac Lea, Isaac Hays, J. Francis Fisher.
Agreeably to a provision of the By-laws, the list of the sur-
viving members of the Society was read. The number is 349;
of whom 232 are residents of the United States, and 117 of
foreign countries.
There being no quorum, for the election of members, present,
the balloting for candidates was postponed.
The Librarian, to whom had been referred the request of
the Trustees of the Western University of Pennsylvania, re-
ported, and was discharged from farther consideration of the
subject.
The Publication Committee reported the completion of Vol.
IX. of the Transactions of the Society.
303
Stated Meeting, February 5.
Present, twenty-six members.
Dr. Franxiin Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From Antonio Ladislau Monteiro Baena, dated Para, 18th
December, 1846, announcing and accompanying a dona-
tion.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Mémoires de Académie Royale des Sciences de I’Institut de France.
Tome XVIII. Paris, 1842. Tome XIX. Paris, 1845. 4to.—
From the Royal Institute of France.
Mémoires présentés par divers Savants a Académie Royale des
Sciences de 1|’Institut de France, et Imprimés par san ordre.
Sciences Mathématiques et Physiques. ‘Tomes VII. VIII. et IX.
Paris, 1841—1846. 4to.—F rom the same.
Mémoires de ’Académie Royale des Sciences Morales et Politiques
de l'Institut de France. Tomes III. 1V. Paris, 1841-—1844.
Savants Etrangers. Tome I. Paris, 1841. 4to.—From the
same.
Mémoires de I’Institut Royal de France. Académie des Inscriptions
et Belles-Lettres. Tome XIV. 2 Parties. Paris, 1840—1845.
Tome XV. 2 Parties. 1842—1845. ‘Tome XVI. Seconde
Partie. 1846. 4to.—F rom the same.
Mémoires présentés par divers Savants a l’Académie Royale des In-
scription et Belles-Lettres de l'Institut de France. Deuxiéme
Série. Antiquités de la France: Tome I. Seconde Partie. Paris,
1843. Premiére Série: Sujets divers d’Erudition. Tome I.
Paris, 1844. 4to.— From the same.
Notices et Extraits des Manuscrits de la Bibliotheque du Roi et autres
Bibliothéques. Publiés par l’Institut Royal de France. Faisant
suite aux Notices et Extraits lus au Comité établi dans l’Acadé-
mie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. Tome XIV. 2 Parties.
Paris, 1843. 4to.—From the same.
Journal Asiatique, publié par la Société Asiatique. Quatricme Série.
304
Tome VIII. No. 37. Aodt, Septembre, 1846. 8vo.—From the
Asiatic Society of Paris.
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. No. 8.
November Ist, 1846. 8vo.—From the Geological Society.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. Sep-
tember, 1846. No. 7. This number contains some account of
the British Army under the command of General Howe; and of
the Battle of Brandywine, on September 11th, 1777. By Joseph
Townsend. 8vo.—From the Historical Society.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. De-
cember, 1846. No. 8. ‘This number contains Papers relating to
the Battle of Brandywine, supplementary to the “* Account of the
Battle, by Joseph Townsend.” 8vo.—From the same.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. Feb.
1847. No. 2. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 252. December, 1846. No. 6. 8vo.—From Dr.
R. M. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. February, 1847. No. 50.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The British Almanac of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful
Knowledge, with the Companion, for the Year of our Lord 1847.
London. 12mo.—From Petty Vaughan, Esq.
Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting the Report
of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, showing the progress
of that work. Twenty-ninth Congress, Second Session, House
of Representatives. Document No. 6.—From Professor A. D.
Bache.
Report of the State Treasurer, on the Finances of Pennsylvania, to
the Legislature of the State, at the Commencement of the Session
of 1847. Harrisburg. 8vo.—From C. B. Trego, Esq.
Diecureo ou Memoria sobre a Intrusao dos Francezes de Cayena nas
terras do Cabo do Norte em 1836. Por Antonio Ladislau Mon-
teiro Baena. Maranhao, 1846. 4to.— From the Author.
On Three Several Hurricanes of the Atlantic, and their Relations to
the Northers of Mexico and Central America, with Notices of
other Storms. By W.C. Redfield. New Haven, 1846. 8vo.—
From the Author.
305
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisitme Série. Tome XVIII.
Novembre, 1846. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Par MM. les Secrétaires Perpétuels.) Tome XXIII.
Nos. 18, 14, 16, 17,18. Ato.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. December, 1846. Nos. 196
and 197. Sup. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 578, 582, 583. Ato.
The Committee (Drs. Horner, Goddard, and Dunglison) to
whom was referred the communication of Dr. Meigs, on the
Corpus Luteum, reported in favour of its publication, which
was ordered accordingly. _
Upon carefully examining a portion of fresh vitellus ovi in the mi-
croscope, numerous corpuscles, granules, punctiform bodies, and par-
ticles of oil, are seen swimming in a transparent liquid.
Upon placing a portion of fresh corpus luteum of the cow on the
compressorium, and turning the screw, there escapes from the crushed
mass a quantity of corpuscles, granules, punctiform bodies, and oil
globules, swimming in a transparent liquid.
The appearances are so similar in the two observations, that it is
scarcely possible to discover any difference, save that occasioned by
portions of tissue, which are the detritus of the crushed mass of corpus
luteum.
The corpuscles, whether those seen in the yelk, or those observed
in the crushed corpus luteum, are equally transparent, and transmit
a yellow light.
On crushing a bit of corpus luteum, there escapes much granular
matter accurately resembling that of the granular membrane of the
graafian follicle. This, even where great care was taken to select
the portion from near the exterior superficies of a large corpus lu-
teum, avoiding to take any from the inner surface of the crypta.
This similarity suggests an identity in the nature and origin of the
granules.
Dr. M. believes the colouring matter, and the chief constituent bulk
of a corpus luteum, to be true vitellary matter, deposited outside of the
inner membrane (ovisac) of a graafian vesicle.
306
He supposes this view of the nature of the corpus luteum to be
new, and gives a summary account of the discovery of the germinal
vesicle in the hen’s egg, by Purkinje; in the mammiferous ovulum
by Van Baer; and also the detection of the macula germinativa by
Wagener.
The writers just named, and also MM. J. Muller, Schwann, Henle,
and Huschke, take no such view of the case. The same is true as
to MM. Gendrin, Negrier, Lee, Jones, Raciborski, Ollivier d’Angers,
and Pouchet. Drs. Montgomery and Swan, Messrs. Flourens, Vel-
peau, and Moreau, do not allude to it. Bischoff and Bernhardt are
equally silent.
Dr. M. refers the observation to the corrections of better observers.
Dr. Meigs’ memoir being ordered for publication in the
Transactions, we confine ourselves here to the resumé of his
observations.
1. Equal masses of yelk and corpus luteum are equally yellow.
2. They alike fill the tube of the microscope, before the focus is
obtained, with a brilliant yellow light.
3. They alike consist of a pellucid fluid, in which float granules,
corpuscles containing yellow liquid, oil globules, and punctiform
bodies.
4. These bodies, placed in the same glass and diligently compared,
exhibit the same forms, size, tint and refraction.
5. Yelk, boiled hard, is rendered granular and friable; it is coagu-
lated by heat.
6. Corpus luteum boiled becomes hard, granular, and friable; it is
coagulated by heat.
7. Both substances, raw or boiled, stain white paper yellow.
8. There is this difference. ‘The crushed mass of corpus luteum
contains patches and shreds of laminar tissue, detritus and blood
discs forced out by the compressor, which cannot occur in the yelk,
as it is confined only within a vitellary membrane.
9. They refract light alike.
10. Projected on a live coal, they each alike give out the odour of
roasted eggs.
The function of the stroma of an ovary is to produce vitellary mat-
ter, which is the pabulum of the germ and the embryo; vitellary mat-
ter is germinal matter. Whether the germ be a cast-off acinus, or a
nucleated nucleole of the germinal vesicle, it is clear that it is a
stroma-force that produces it.
307
_ There can be no mammiferous germ independent of vitellary mat-
ter; and as the stroma of the ovary yields the material for the con-
struction of the ovulum, the force that is employed in its elaboration
remains active, even after the maturation of that ovulum; and the sur-
plus production being deposited outside of the ovisac or inner concentric
of the folliculus graafianus, we have, as a natural consequence, the
corpus luteum. Therefore the corpora lutea of mammals, whether
those included under the head of true or false corpora lutea, are com-
posed of the surplus production and deposite of vitellary matter in
the stroma of ovaria.
Dr. M. refers to the importance of this observation in its medico-
legal relations; and should his opinions be found correct, it may
serve to settle a long controverted point in physiological anatomy.
Dr. Patterson was excused from the duty of preparing an
obituary notice of the late Dr. Adrain.
Mr. Ord presented to the Society specimens of so called
“Fixed Mercury,” sent to the Society by Mr. Sartori, which
were referred for examination to Mr. Eckfeldt and Dr. Boye.
On motion of the Librarian, it was ordered that Vols. VIII.
and IX. of the Transactions of the Society be presented to the
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and that it be placed on
the list of correspondents of this Society.
On motion of the Librarian, the subject of the lease of the
rooms now occupied by the Athenzum was referred to the
Committee on the Hall, with power to take order.
Stated Meeting, February 19.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Mémoires de la Société Royale des Antiquaires du Nord. Copen-
hague, 1844. 8vo.—From the Royal Society of Northern An-
tiquaries.
VOL. IV.-—-2 8
308
Bulletin de la Societé Royale des Antiquaires du Nord, 1843. Co-
penhague, 1845. 8vo.—From the same.
Americas Arctiske Landes Gamle Geographie efter de Nordiske Old-
skrifter ved Carl Christian Rafh. Serskilt aftryk af Grénlands
Historiske Mindesmeerker, udgivne af det Kongelige Nordiske
Oldskrift-Selskab. Kjobenhavn, 1845. 8vo.—From the same.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 254. Third Series. Vol. XIII. Feb. 1847. No. 2.
8vo.—From Dr. R. M. Patterson.
A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Children. By D. Francis
Condie, M.D. Second Edition, revised and augmented. Phila-
delphia, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.
Report of the President and Managers of the Schuylkill Navigation
Company to the Stockholders, Jan. 4, 1847. 8vo.—From the
President and Managers.
Haverford Revisited: being a Memento of a Day spent on the Old
Grounds, by a number of the former Pupils, 12th Month 29th,
1846. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From Mr. Townsend Ward.
A Plan of the City and Environs of Philadelphia, surveyed by N.
Scull and G. Heap. Originally engraved by W. Faden, and re-
published by Thomas Fisher. 1847. Ona roller.—From Mr.
Thomas Fisher.
Facsimile of the Merchants and Citizens of Philadelphia in 1765, op-
posed to British Encroachments, the Stamp Act, &c. On a rol-
ler.—From the same.
Dr. Patterson laid before the Society a communication from
Mr. Sears C. Walker, of Washington, in regard to the steps
which led to the detection, on the 2d of February, of the very
remarkable coincidence between the computed place of the
planet Leverrier, and the observed place of a star of the 7-8
magnitude, which passed the meridian of Paris at 14. 11m.
23s. of Lalande’s clock-time, 10th May, 1795; which commu-
nication was referred to a committee, consisting of Dr. Pat-
terson, Prof. Frazer, and Mr. Downes.
Authority was given to the Librarian to permit certain au-
tographic letters in the Library to be copied by Mr. John F.
Watson, for purposes of publication, it being understood that
the manuscripts should net leave the hall of the Society.
309
Stated Meeting, March 5.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Bacur, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From Mr. John P. Brown, dated Constantinople, August
20th, 1846, announcing a donation to the Library :—
From A. D. Bache, Superintendent U. S. Coast Survey,
dated Washington, 26th Jan., 1847, announcing a donation :—
From the New Jersey Historical Society, dated Newark,
22d February, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Transac-
tions and Proceedings of this Society: and,—
From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, dated 28th
February, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings
of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Mémoires présentés 4 Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-
Pétersbourg, par divers savans, et lus dans les Assemblées.
Tome V. 6 Livraisons. Tome VI. Ire Livraison. Saint-
Pétersbourg, 1846. 4to.—From the Imperial Academy of
Sciences.
Mémoires de |’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.
ViIme Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome VII. Seconde Partie. Sciences Naturelles. Tome V.
3me et 4me Livraisons. Saint Pétersbourg, 1846. 4to.—From
the same.
Mémoires de l’Académie Impériale des Sciences de Saint-Pétersbourg.
Vime Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles.
Tome VIme. Premiére Partie. Sciences Mathématiques et Phy-
siques. Tome IVme. 2me Livraison. Saint-Pétersbourg,
1845. 4to.—From the same.
Transactions of the Geological Society of London. Second Series.
Vol. VII. Part 3. London, 1846. 4to.—From the Geologi-
cal Society.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VII. November 13th, 1846. No. 9. 8vo.—From the Society.
310
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Volume
the Sixteenth. Part Il. 1846. 8vo.—F rom the Society.
Grammaire Raisonnée de la Langue Ottomane, suivie d’un Appendice
contenant l’Analyse d’un morceau de composition Ottomane, ou
sont demontrées les differentes Régles auxquelles les Mots sont
assujettis. Par James W. Redhouse. Paris, 1846. Svo.—From
Col. Williams.
New Haven Harbour, founded upon a Trigonometrical Survey under
the direction of F. R. Hassler. Published in 1846. A. D.
Bache, Superintendent.—From Prof. Bache, by direction of the
Treasury Department.
Little Ege Harbour, founded upon a Trigonometrical Survey under
the direction of F. R. Hassler. Published in 1846. A. D.
Bache, Superintendent.—From the same.
An Address delivered at the close of the Sixteenth Exhibition of Ame-
rican Manufactures, held in Philadelphia, by the Franklin Insti-
tute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Me-
chanic Arts, October 30th, 1846. By Solomon W. Roberts,
Civil Engineer. Philadelphia, 1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Library, made to the Le-
gislature, January 16th, 1847. Albany, 1847. 8vo.—From the
Trustees of the New York State Library.
Report of the Organization Committee of the Smithsonian Institution:
With the Resolutions accompanying the same, and adopted by the
Board of Regents: Also, the Will of the Testator, the Act ac-
cepting the Bequest, and the Act organizing the Institution.
Washington, 1847. 8vo.—rom the Hon. George M. Dallas.
The Nineteenth Annual Report of the House of Refuge of Philadel-
phia. With an Appendix. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From
the Managers.
The Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, for 1846. Philadelphia,
1847. 8vo.—From the Directors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. March, 1847. No. 51.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea 5 Blanchard.
Notice sur la Succession des Poissons Fossiles dans la Série des
Formations Géologiques. Introduction 4 une Monographie des
Poissons Fossiles du vieux Grés rouge. Tableau Synoptique
des Poissons Fossiles du Systéme dévonien. Essai sur la Classi-
fication des Poissons. Par Louis Agassiz.—From the Right
Rev. Bishop Potter:
Ji
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Scientific Memoirs, selected from the Transactions of Foreign Acade-
mies of Science, Learned Societies, &c. Edited by Richard Tay-
lor, F.L.S. &c. Vol. IV. Part XVI. December, 1846. 8vo.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor
Jameson. Vol. XLII. No. 83. January, 1847. 8vo.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. No. 198. January, 1847.
8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 579, 584, and 585. Ato.
Prof. Tucker read an “ Essay upon Cause and Effect, being
an Examination of Mr. Hume’s Doctrine that we can perceive
no necessary connexion between them,’’ which was referred
to a Committee, consisting of Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Dr.
Demmé and Dr. Bethune.
Dr. Patterson again called the attention of the Society to the
circumstance mentioned at the last meeting, viz. that Mr. Sears
C. Walker had, on the 2d of February, detected a missing star
in the Histoire Céleste Francaise, observed by Lalande on the
10th of May, 1795, which was near the path of Leverrier at
that date, and which may possibly have been that planet.
Shortly after the arrival of the news of the physical discovery
of the planet, on a suggestion by Mr. Herrick, of its possible identity
with the Wartman planet of 1831, Mr. Walker engaged in the study
of the orbit of the former, and soon concluded that it could not have
been Leverrier, nor could any set of elements, with a mean dis-
tance at all probable, be found, that would represent the four places of
Wartman’s planet, as published in the Comptes Rendus for 1836.
In his first inquiry, he learned the probable near approach of the
orbit of Leverrier to the circular form. The analogy of the remote
planets with great masses led to the same conclusion.
Jupiter’s eccentricity is 0.048
Saturn’s % 0.056
Herschell’s __,, 0.047
Leverrier’s __,, <0.060 conjectured.
If such were the character of the orbit, the radius vector, at so
great a distance, would vary but little with the time, and in a first
approximation might be wholly neglected. From the planets’ places
312
Sept. 26, Oct. 26, and Nov. 1, on the supposition of a constant ra-
dius vector, he computed the following table of the average true side-
rial daily motion n', n & n, for the first, whole and last interval re-
spectively, for various radius vectors. Also the mean daily siderial
motion s for 7 = a, or radius vector equal the mean distance.
r n n n, [
way mow aw way way
34 12.8 16.7 19.7 17.90
33 14.6 Vie 20.3 18.71
32 16.6 18.8 20.8 19.60
31 19.4 20.1 ae 20.56
30 sz 21.6 21.6 21.58
29 24.1 23.4 22.0 22.67
The most plausible value of r in this table is that in which (n —n')?
+ (2 —7n,) 2 is a minimum. This gives nearly r = 30, 2’ =
n =n, =. Hence the orbit comes out nearly a circle, unless we
suppose the planet to present, at this time, a value of 7 accidentally
equal to a, in a more eccentric ellipse with true anomaly nearly 90°.
Accordingly, he selected for the next trial the circular hypothesis,
for which two places of the planet, Sept. 26th and Dec. 26th, sufficed.
The first was derived from the mean of nine European observations.
The last from his own observations with the Washington equatorial,
censisting of thirty-three comparisons in R. A. and eleven in Dec.,
with the two stars first selected for comparison by Encke. In the
computations all the small corrections were taken into account. The
geocentric longitude « and latitude 0, were referred to the mean equi-
nox and obliquity of Jan. 1st,1847. The planet’s place was corrected
for aberration as a fixed star, for planetary parallax, but not at first
(though subsequently so) corrected for planetary aberration. In this
manner, he obtained Elements I. and computed an ephemeris for the
six months following August Ist. He then reduced the entire col-
lection of European observations received, seventy nights’ works in
all, and the forty-six nights’ works of American observations at the
Washington Observatory, and compared them with the ephemeris.
The sixteen normal places indicated the following comparison be-
tween theory and observation. The dates are referred to mean time,
Greenwich. The places are reduced like those of Sept. 26th and
Dec. 26th, but are not corrected for planetary aberration,
No. years. a
1 215.5670 327 9 49.34
2 223.5441 326 57 9.04
S205 325 46 25.82
4 276.5 39 54.23
5 282.5 34 16.11
6 290.5 28 21.99
7 298.5 24 25.25
8 306.5 22 32.46
9) 313-5 22 40.00
10 319.5 24 6.40
Il 325.5 26 50.59
12 334.5 33 9.44
13 345.5 44 26.93
14 353.5 54 58.01
15 359.5 326 4 2.52
16 372.5 326 26 39.11
No. of Obs.
313
Normal Places of Leverrier.
t= 1846 Obs. Geo. lon.
vl
ean aa_—an
fo) /
(1) —0
(1)
(16)
(13)
(13)
(12)
(18)
(16)
(4)
(4)
2 (4)
(7)
(4)
(2)
(3)
(3)
31 36.24
44.09
57.99
56.14
56.09
53.16
51.13
47.61
45.15
41.51
37.30?
33.92
30.79
27.10
26.04
23.60
Obs. Geo. lat. No. of Obs.
c hh
on
(1)
(1)
(16)
(13)
(13)
(12)
(19)
(6)
(3)
(6)
(4)
(6)
(4)
2)
(3)
(3)
Obs.--Eph
Aa
Lb) p+tt+t+t+t+4+4i |
(2)
4.40
. Obs.--Eph.
Ads
a a)
"
="0.63
—1.03
+ 0.84
+151
+.0.03
+ 0.80
+ 0.56
+ 0.23
— 0.68
+ 0.51
+ 2.21?
TS
= 0.03
as Vs
ae O77
1.28
The residual errors show, in the course of six months, a sensible
deviation of the orbit from the circular form. They also show, that
for an eccentricity greater than 0.06, the true anomaly must be
nearly + 90°; a possible, but it may be said an improbable case.
The next step was to make equations of condition of the form
o=ar+bytez+n.
In which a, b, c, are computed co-
efficients; x is50 x Ar, yis 10 xX Av, z= AA,o, , » is the daily
increase of the true heliocentric longitude, 4,,, the longitude on the
300th day of the year. Finally, n is the equivalent heliocentric value
of A « above, with sign changed.
3, 4, 5,6, and 7; then the mean of 8, 9, and 10.
The number of equations was re-
duced to 9, by taking, first, the third of the mean of 1 and 2; next
No. 11 is re-
jected; then the mean of 12 and 13, and lastly of 14, 15, and 16.
To these nine conditional equations equal weights were assigned as
follows :—
+ 3.016
+ 3.363
-L 3.685
-L 4.038
+ 4.268
+ 4.594
++ 4.248
-}. 3.332
Hi dtd td dw d
— 0.303 x x
— 2.700 X y
— 3.000
— 2.400
— 1.800
— 1.000
— 0.200
+ 1.267
+ 3.950
+ 6.133
Residual error.
+ 3'88
+ 1.00
— 0.27
£210
LEO
— 4.12
— 2.44
ue 199
+ 1.81
~~ se eve eve we Ye ew we we
314
The solution by least squares gives,—
0 = 118.879 x z + 7477 x y + 30.443 x z — 45.629
= 7477 + 85.149 + 0.250 + 1.687
0 = = 30.443 + 0.250 + 8.111 — 8.627
Whence © ce = 4.21
x = 3.255712
y = —0.272963
% == —I11"'.1475
r = 29.939950 + a = 30.00506
U3597—Y270
n= —"-=—="" corrected for ab. = 21''.65789
Co 270
ree iy = 30.20058
x 2/
a Guky constant of earth’s velocity.
3
Bora 2 = 21.37881
Period = T' = 165.97030 tropical years.
Thus it appeared that Elements II. assuming the eccentricity and
perihelion point unknown, and neglecting the daily variations of the
radius vector, would give an ephemeris following the planet’s path
for a period of 55 months, with a sum of the squares of nine discre-
pancies = 4.21, or a probable error of + 0.48 for any compa-
rison.
This residual error might perhaps have been still further rednced
by inserting a term of the form d x u, where w is the daily variation
: A A . :
of the radius vector, andd=a Ar + (=) AVA, = being the time
variation of the daily motion in true longitude, on the principle of
conservation of areas. Inasmuch as these terms become more sensi-
ble in the course of a few additional months, it was thought better to
postpone the research after the final values of e and z; and by as-
signing to them suitable limits of e < 0.06, and to = its correspond-
a (1—e?) —r
——
the locus of Leverrier for any given date, and search for it as a
missing star obseryed that night in some of the ancient cata-
logues.
The fact of (n — «) = 0''.28, shows that the limit of » is + 90°,
thus, —
ing value from the equation, cos v = , then to compute
315
o
For e = 1.00 v = + 90.0 wo
For e = 0.06 » = + 87.2 >,
For e = 0.05 » = +85.4 y
For e = 0.04 vo = + 83.0 Bd
For e = 0.03 y= +79.2 af
For e = 0.02 y = +72.2 oe
For e = 0.01 v= +501 ,,
For e = 0.006474 v=
. 72.2
Hence the a priori probability that e falls below 0.02 is eae and
that it falls below 0.01 is “— , and this probability is based on a
theory that has for its probable discrepancy from observation for 5%
months + 0".49.
The next inquiry is, how far this small period and small eccentri-
city may be reconciled with the conditional equations obtained by
Leverrier and Adams, between its perturbations of Herschel and the
residual perturbations of that body.
In the supplement to the Nautical Almanac for 1852, Mr. Adams
states that a mean distance of about 32, and small eccentricity, agrees
with his computation better than the two hypotheses of a mean distance
much greater; and that the small mean distance and eccentricity are
in accordance with the planet’s present place in the heavens.
From the results of Mr. Adams’ two hypotheses, Mr. Walker de-
rives the formula,—
a
log. 534
]
0.12062 log. 73
0.16103
This gives e = 0.0153883 for a = 30.20058.
e = 0.16103 [
It remains to consider M. Leverrier’s paper in the Additions to the
Connaissance des Temps for 1849.
He there fixes the place of the planet at 240° + 5° in 1840, for the
longitude of the epoch. Mr. Walker’s Elements I. would give with
eccentricity < 0.06, the epoch = 226° nearly. Hence the limit of
M. Leverrier would be required to be doubled to include Mr. Walker’s
solution.
This limit of M. Leverrier may be readily extended to double his
assigned value, if we do not require this one disturbing planet to ex-
VOL. Iv.—2 T
316
haust the residual perturbations of Uranus, but are willing to leave
something to other still superior planets to be discovered hereafter.
It was in the course of an examination of M. Leverrier’s paper, by
Prof. Peirce, of Harvard University, in company with Mr. Walker,
for the purpose of explaining this discrepancy, that the suggestion
was made by the former, of the possibility of some neglected ine-
quality of long period being sufficient to account for it. To their
great surprise, on comparison it was found that
For Uranus, / p' = 42.23312 Astr. Nachr. 580.
Walker’s Elements II., Leverrier, #2 = 21.37881
2 ap 10152450
Here, then, if Mr. Walker’s period is right, would be the most re-
markable inequality in the primary solar system. On a careful exa-
mination of Leverrier’s paper, it does not appear that he took this into
account; but instead of it, that he used that of (3 «—p’), suited to
the first assumed mean motion for a = 38.37. When we consider
that this inequality, in its terms depending on the square of the time,
amounts to nearly one-twelfth of the entire perturbations of Uranus,
by Leverrier, in Flamsteed’s time and at present, and that a similar
inequality of still greater power, if substituted in its place, might
amount to a much larger proportion, it would seem that the question
of a priori limits from residual perturbations depends much on a cir-
cumstance not noticed by M. Leverrier, viz. the possibility of a pow-
erful inequality of the order (2 # — w’). If, then, it be probable that
Mr. Walker’s period is correct, that period, by means of this new in-
equality, explains its departure from the limits assigned by M. Le-
verrier.
Since, then, Mr. Walker’s Elements II. are not necessarily incom-
patible with the limits of M. Leverrier and Adams, it was desirable
to see whether the indeterminate quantities e and z could be supplied
by finding some ancient observation.
For this purpose, on the 2d of February he examined the principal
catalogues.
I. Bradley seldom observed stars of 7th and 8th magnitude.
Il. Mayer.
HI. Lacaille.
IV. Piazzi. There is no star among the list “not found in the Cata-
logues,” from 1792 to 1798, which could be supposed to be
Leverrier. The subsequent observations of Piazzi, under pro-
317
gress of publication by the Vienna Observatory, have not yet
been received.
V. Lalande, H. C. See subsequent discussion.
VI. Bessel in his zones never observed so low as the actual Lever-
rier region.
VII. Paramatta Catalogue, seldom observed north of — 33°.
VIII. Madras Catalogue. Mr. Taylor confined himself chiefly to
reviews of Baily and Piazzi.
Thus it appears, that though doubtless Leverrier has been seen by
some of these authors, still the Histoire Céleste afforded the only
chance of easily finding an observation of this planet. For limits of
e < 0.06, the only nights in which Lalande had Leverrier in his
region, were the 8th and 10th of May, 1795.
For the latter date,
Mr. Walker computed the locus of Leverrier, for various eccentrici-
ties, and for =E », as in the following table, in which Leverrier’s R.
A. and Dec. are for the mean equinox of 1800, to correspond as a
star to Hussey’s XIVth Hour.
e Leverrier’s 4. 1800.
~~ (a
h. m. -s.
For — v 0.06 13 45 50
ue 0.05 13 49 48
aS * 0.04 13 53 51
hin dae 0.03 18 57 52
55 a 0.02 14 1 56
* a 0.01 14 6 22
For v = 0 0.006470 14 9 18
For + v 0.01 1412 9
a op 0.02 14 16 36
5 2 0.03 14 20 35
s 5 0.04 14 24 29
“5 “: 0.05 14 28 19
35 “ 0.06 14 32 8
Leverrier’s D. 1800.
coo 7
OW ie
— 9 3.1
— 9 24.9
— 9 47.0
—10 8.6
— 10 29.6
— 10 53.5
—l1l1 88
—11 23.5
— 11 44.5
—12 6.1
—12 25.2
— 12 44.4
—13 2.6
Mr. Walker then formed the following catalogue of all the stars in
the H. Céleste, May 8th and 10th, 1795, within 15’ north or south
of the locus of Leyverrier, as follows:
318
No. Mag. R. A. 1800. Dec. 1800. Authority.
~m a a’ (LS
hom. s 6
1 9.10 13 50 36 — 9 24.0 L
2 ic. te) 13 52 48 — 955.8 L
3 To fs) 13 52 53 — 9 45.7 Lees
4 8. 9 13 57 13 — 1011.7 IVR) 8
5 9 13 59 54 — 10 26.4 L. B.
6 8 14 0 0 — 11 26.5 L. B.
7 8 14 12 0 —11 8.3 L. B.
8 (ious) 14 12 09 — 11 20.96 L. missing *
9 8 14 29 37 — 1310.7 L. B.
In this list, there are only three stars, viz: Nos. 1, 2 and 8, which
have not also been seen by Bessel. No. 1 is too small, 9.10 magni-
tude. No. 2 was considered too far south (17') of the computed
place of Leverrier. No. 8 was only 2’ north of the computed locus
of Leverrier. It was of the right magnitude and not in Bessel. This
circumstance was noticed by Mr. Walker on the 2d of February, and
notified by letter, dated that evening, to Lieut. Maury, the Superin-
tendent of the Washington Observatory, with a statement of Mr.
Walker’s belief, that as soon as the weather, then cloudy, should be-
come clear, that star on examining the heavens would be missing.
On the 4th of February, Prof. Hubbard examined the heavens, and
found that the star was missing. Here, then, was an argument in
favour of the identity of the missing star and the planet Leverrier.
The general view of the case was this. Mr. Walker believed the
limits were sufficiently extensive to embrace the Leverrier region.
It was probable that Lalande had not omitted a star of the 7, 8 mag-
nitude. No other star could be found in the H. Céleste which, if
now missing, could be reasonably supposed to have been the planet.
The alternative left was to presume, either that Lalande did not ob-
serve this planet, or that this missing star was Leverrier.
To offset this probability, however, Mr. Walker’s attention has
since been called to a circumstance not noticed by him at the time,
viz: that the missing star has the mark of a colon (:) after it in the
H. Céleste, by which Lalande used to indicate that the declination was
doubtful to the extent of + 5’. As this would leave it within admis-
sible limits, Mr. Walker would still have considered their identity as
not being improbable, if the two stars seen nearly at the same time
by Lalande, and marked with different declinations and magnitudes,
319
could not be supposed to have been one. In this case, no star
would be missing.
The entries in the H. Celeste are thus made :—
Wire I. Mid Wire. Wire II. Zenith Distance.
cman: aa SS (SS
No. kh. ms. hee? Tees? 7S. By gertetoe
Lape b 7,8 14 11 238.5 60 7 19:
2 , 2 Librae 6 1412 38.4 14 12 31.5 59 33 59
Os 8,9 14 11 50.5: 59 54 40
There is no principle of construction of these entries, by which
No. 1 and 2 are made the same. Yet the three entries with two
colons, and the third entry out of order in place, prevent the strong
inference that might be drawn from an undoubted observation of No.
1, which is now missing, while No. 2 is now found, and was ob-
served by Bessel.
Viewing all the circumstances of the case, Mr. W. though strongly
inclined to the affirmative, would not venture to express a final opi-
nion on the question of identity at this time. For the sake of pri-
ority in completing the orbit of Leverrier, if this identity should at
any time hereafter be confirmed, he had computed a third set of
Elements III., which, with I. and II., are contained in the following
table :—
Elements of Leverrier referred to Hy pothesis of iden-
the mean Equinox of Jan. 1, Circular Elliptic tity with missing
1847, and date of mean time, Hypothesis. Hypothesis. star. Elliptical
Greenwich. I. II. Elements. III.
Longitude of perihelion, wz | Unknown. Unknown. 0° 12’ 25” 51
ascending node §2 | 129° 48’ 23.16 | 129° 48’ 23.16 | 131° 17’ 35””.80
?
epoch, Jan.1’47,¢ | Unknown. Unknown. 328° 7 56.64
”?
* ae ee ae a 326° 59’ 41.50 | 326°59' 34”.74 | 326°59' 34.74
s ? ?
Radius vector, Sept. 28°46, r 29.93995 30.00506 30.02596
pee Sept. 28, 1848, ¢% | 21,65857 21.65789 21.64553
Inclination, i | 1° 45’ 19.88 | 1° 45’ 19.88 | 1° 54’ 53’.83
Eccentricity, e 0. Unknown. 0.0088407
Mean distance, a 29.93995 30.20058 30.25042
Period in tropical years, TJ 163.3259 165.9703 166.3813
Mean daily sidereal motion,» | 21/.65857 21” 37881 21” .32600
320
Authority was given to the President to address a memorial,
on behalf of the Society, to the Legislature of Pennsylvania,
asking permission to rent such parts of the building occupied
by the Society as are not required for their use; and the Com-
mittee on the Hall were authorized to take such measures as
may be necessary for presenting such memorial to the Legis-
lature.
Stated Meeting, March 19.
Present, twenty-one members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From the Academy of Sciences of Stockholm, dated Stock-
holm, 10th October, 1846, announcing donations to the Li-
brary of the Society: and,—
From Dr. Joseph Emil Nirnberger, dated Landsburg, near
Berlin, 10th November, 1846, announcing a donation to the
Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, for ar 1844. Stock-
holm, 1846. 8vo.—From the Royal Academy of Stockholm.
- Arsberattelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi afgifven den 31
Mars, 1846; af Jac. Berzelius, K. V. A. Secret. Stockholm,
1846. 8vo.—From the same.
Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Férhandlingar. Nos.
8,9, 10. 1845. Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive. 1846. 8vo.—From
the same.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. III. November and December, 1846. No. 6. 8vo.—From
the Academy.
Populares Astronomisches Hand-Worterbuch. Von Dr. Joseph Emil
Nirnberger. Erster Band. A-K. Kempten, 1846. 8vo.—From
the Author.
Mittlere Oerter von 12000 Fix-sternen, ftir den Anfang von 1836,
32h
abgeleitet aus den Beobachtungen auf der Hamburger Sternwarte
von Carl. Riimker. Hamburg, 1846. 4to.—From Professor
Rimker.
The Electrical Magazine, conducted by Mr. Charles V. Walker.
Vol. II. No. 14. October, 1846. 8vo.—From the Editor.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. March,
1847. No. 3. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLIII. No. 255. Third Series. Vol. XIII. March, 1847. No. 3.
8vo.—F rom Dr. Patterson.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. No. 194. October, 1846.
Svo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 575 and 576. Altona, Septem-
ber 10th and 19th, 1846. 4to.
Dr. Meigs read to the Society a paper upon the Marsupial
Gestation of Didelphis Virginiana, which was referred to a
Committee, consisting of Drs. Hays, Bache, and Condie.
The Committee on the Hall made a report upon the subject
of the renting of the rooms now occupied by the Atheneum,
referred to them on the 5th February, 1847.
The same Committee reported that the memorial to the Le-
gislature, authorized at the last meeting of the Society, had
been prepared, and placed in the hands of Mr. S. W. Roberts,
by whom it had been presented to the Legislature, and the
desired permission obtained.
Whereupon it was ordered that the thanks of the Society be
returned to Mr. S. W. Roberts for his exertions in behalf of
the Society, and that the Treasurer be authorized to repay to
Mr. Roberts the sum expended by him while engaged in the
business of the Society.
The Act of the Legislature referred to in the report of the
Committee on the Hall was then read, and ordered to be en-
tered at large upon the minutes of the Society.
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PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vou. IV. APRIL, MAY & JUNE, 1847. No. 38.
Stated Meeting, April 2.
Present, eleven members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From P. de Angelis, dated Buenos Ayres, 14th January,
1847, announcing the transmission of certain documents rela-
tive to events on the Rio de la Plata.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society. Vol. II. New
York, 1847. 8vo. This Volume contains the Life of William
Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Major General of the Army of the
United States during the Revolution. By William Alexander
Duer, LL.D.—From the New Jersey Historical Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. April, 1847. No. 52.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
The Constitution of the United States of America; the Proximate
Causes of its Adoption and Ratification; the Declaration of In-
dependence, &c. &c. Two Copies. Washington, 1846. 12mo.
From the Hon. George M. Dallas.
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting a Report from
the Register of the Treasury, on Commerce and Navigation.
Senate, 29th Congress, 2d Session, Document No. 7.—From the
same.
Mr. Webster’s Vindication of the Treaty of Washington, of 1842;
in a Speech delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the
6th and 7th of April, 1846. A revised and corrected Copy.—
From Major James D. Graham.
VOL. IV.—2 U
324
The Committee (Dr. Patterson, Professor Frazer, and Mr.
Downes), to whom had been referred Mr. Sears C. Walker’s
paper on the planet Neptune, read 19th February, 1847, re-
ported, recommending its publication in the Transactions of
the Society, which was ordered accordingly.
Dr. Patterson read a letter from Mr. Walker, dated Wash-
ington, 31st March, 1847, containing some observations con-
cerning the identity of the planet lately discovered, with that
of Leverrier.
Dr. Ludlow, from the Committee appointed to consider the
propriety of amending the laws regulating nominations for
membership, made a report, which was laid on the table.
Mr. Ord presented a letter, directed to C. W. Bacon, Esq.,
from Alexander Ray, of Washington City, asking that an exa-
mination might be made of the papers of the late Chas. Pettit,
now in the Library of the Society, in order to discover whe-
ther there are among them any documents illustrative of cer-
tain claims for revolutionary services.
Whereupon leave was granted to Mr. Bacon to examine
the said papers, under the direction of the Librarian.
Stated Meeting, April 16.
Present, twenty-seven members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Philosophical ‘Transactions of the Royal Society of London, for the
Year 1846. In Four Parts. 4to.—From the Royal Society of
London.
List of the Royal Society, 30th November, 1846. 4to.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Nos. 62 to 66, inclu-
sive. November 27th, 1845, to November 30th, 1846. 8vo.
From the same.
320
Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Green-
wich, in the Year 1844, under the Direction of George Biddell
Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer Royal. Published by order of
the Board of Admiralty, in obedience to Her Majesty’s Com-
mand. London, 1846. 4to.—From the same.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVII. Part
Il. Containing the Makerstoun Magnetical and Meteorological
Observations for 1843. Edinburgh, 1847. 4to.—From the
Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Astronomical Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh. By the late Thomas Henderson, F.R.S. &c., Professor
of Practical Astronomy in the University of Edinburgh, and Her
Majesty’s Astronomer for Scotland. Reduced and Edited by his
Successor, Charles Piazzi Smyth. Vol. VI. For the Year 1840.
Edinburgh, 1847. 4to.—From the Royal Observatory, Edin-
burgh.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
Vil. December 11, 1846. No. 10. January 8, 1847. No. 11.
8vo.—From the Astronomical Society.
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. Edited by the
Vice-Secretary of the Geological Society. No. 9. February 1,
1847. 8vo.—From the Geological Society of London.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits et de Notices
relatifs 4 l’Histoire, a la Philosophie, aux Langues, etc., des Peu-
ples Orientaux. Quatriéme Série. Tome VIII. No. 38. Octobre,
1846. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Jngénieurs des
Mines de Russie, ou Recueil d’Observations Magnétiques et Mé-
téorologiques faites dans l’Etendue de l’Empire de Russie, et pub-
liées par ordre de S. M. ’Empéreur Nicolas I., sous les auspices
de son Exec. M. de Wrontchenko, Ministre des Finances. Par
A. 'T. Kupffer, Directeur des Observatoires Magnétiques des
Mines de Russie. Année, 1843. Nos. 1 et 2. St. Pétersbourg,
1845. 4to.—From the Director, M. Kupffer.
Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. IV.
April, 1847. Nos. 8 and 9. 8vo.—From the Lyceum of Natu-
ral History.
A Discourse delivered before the Rhode Island Historical Society, on
the evening of January 13, 1847. By the Hon. Job Durfee.
Providence, R. I. 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
326
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XIX. Nos. 124,125. February
and March, 1847. 8vo.—From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. No. XXVI. New Series. April, 1847. 8vo.— From
the Editor.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. April,
1847. No. 4. 8vo.—F rom the American Colonization Society.
ournal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLII. No. 256. Third Series. Vol. XIII. April, 1847. No. 4.
S8vo.—From Dr. Patterson.
The Potatoe Plant, its Uses and Properties; together with the Cause
of the present Malady, the Extension of that Disease to other
Plants, the Question of Famine arising therefrom, and the best
Means of averting that Calamity. By Alfred Smee, F.R.S.
London, 1846. S8vo.—From the Author.
Echalas, paisseaux et lattes (Médoc), remplacés par des lignes de fil
de fer, Mobiles, établies au Printemps et enlevées a l’Automne, a
la Mécanique. Par André-Michaux. Paris, 1845. 8vo.— From
the Author.
Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, in the
Year 1842, and to Oregon and North California, in the Years
1843-1844. By Brevet Captain J. C. Fremont. Printed by
order of the Senate of the United States. Washington, 1845.
8vo.—From the Honourable Thomas H. Benton.
Topographical Map of the Road from Missouri to Oregon, com-
mencing at the mouth of the Kansas in the Missouri River, and
ending at the mouth of the Wallah Wallah in the Columbia. In
VI. Sections. From the Field Notes and Journal of Capt. J. C.
Frémont, and from Sketches and Notes made on the ground by
his Assistant, Charles Preuss. Compiled by C. Preuss, 1846, by
order of the Senate of the United States—From the same.
Charge to the Graduates of Jefferson Medical College of Philadel-
phia, delivered March 25, 1847, by Professor Dunglison. Pub-
lished by the Graduating Class.—From the Author.
Directions in Regard to the Operations of the Coast Survey, for
1847-48. Approved by the Treasury Department, March, 1847.
From Prof. Bache.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 586 to 589, inclusive. Altona,
January 9, to February 25, 1847. Ato.
327
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. Nos. 199, 200. February
and March, 1847. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de |’ Academie des Sci-
ences; par MM. les Secrétaires Perpetuels. ‘Tome XXIII. Nos.
19 to 26, inclusive. November 9, to December 28, 1846. 4to.
The Committee (Drs. Hays, Bache and Condie), to whom
had been referred the memoir of Dr. Charles D. Meigs, upon
the reproduction of Didelphis Virginiana, read 19th March,
1847, reported, recommending its publication in the Transac-
tions of the Society, which was ordered accordingly.
Professor Owen’s paper on the reproduction of the kanguroo and
the wombat, has left certain points still unsettled as to the reproduc-
tion of the marsupials; and MM. Milne Edwards and Pouchet, in
their works, have left uncleared up several points, which it is the ob-
ject of Dr. M.’s paper to explain.
The terms foetus and embryo cannot properly be applied to the
young of the didelphis while in the pouch; since, when first placed
in the marsupium, the young opossum is endowed with all the attri-
butes of a mammiferous quadruped in the full enjoyment of a real
warm-blooded respiratory and digestive existence. None of the au-
thors on this subject appear to have investigated the state of the early
young; and the most vague and incorrect notions still prevail as to
their condition.
On the 18th February, 1847, a light snow having fallen, the
tracks of two opossums were followed on the 19th, over the snow, to
the trunk of a hollow tree, wherein they had concealed themselves,
and from which were taken a full grown male and female didelphis.
It was supposed, from the appearance of the testes in the male, and
the monotrem of the female, that the animals had retired for the rut,
as they are rarely found in company at other seasons.
On the 27th February they were brought to me, and I carefully
examined the marsupium, but could discover no trace of any mam-
mary development of the base of the delicate nipples. February
28th, no change was discovered by inspection or careful palpation
of the pouch. On Monday, March Ist, and on Tuesday, the 2d,
there was not the least sign of change in the pouch. On Wednes-
day, the 3d, the mammary glands were visibly and palpably en-
larged. On Thursday, 4th, still larger. On Friday, 5th, hard and
328
swollen. Saturday, 6th, passed without my inspection; but my ser-
vant examined the pouch, and discovered no young ones at the teats.
At 3 P. M. on Sunday, 7ti March, I opened the pouch, and disco-
vered the young animals adhering to the nipples.
Here, then, was a manifest preparation for the reception of the
marsupial young, began on Wednesday, the 3d March, and com-
pleted by Sunday, the 7th, which is four days. Hence it is clear
that the notion heretofore entertained, that the embryo makes the
teat wherever it happens to take hold, is unfounded, the preparation
being as complete as in any other mammal.
The uterine gestation probably terminated on the night of Satur-
day, March the 6th, or the morning of Sunday, the 7th. ‘The rut
probably continued as late as the 18th or 19th February, which is
17 or 18 days; possibly the impregnations may have been a few
days earlier than the said dates.
The observation settles, at least, the question as to one of the re-
productive seasons, which in this case was February.
In Mr. Owen’s observation on the kanguroo, the uterine gestation
lasted thirty-nine days; but the kanguroo is a large animal in com-
parison; the opossum rarely being more than fifteen or sixteen pounds
in weight.
Mr. Owen does not mention the preliminary condition of the mam-
mary glands in the kanguroo.
Thirteen young opossums were attached to as many nipples, all
strongly adhering, and busily employed in sucking the milk.
They moved the forearms, and paws, and heads, very freely; so
that to open the sphincter marsupii was to disclose a very lively
scenes
They were of a deep rose-tint, and without hair.
They were of equal size. [I pulled one off from the nipple; and
the attachment was so strong, that I expected to tear the body in two
before I disengaged the mammilla from the stomal pore in which it
was engaged. ‘There was no bulb at the end of the nipple after the
detachment of the young one.
No blood about the mouth or on the nipple followed the separation.
It was removed at 40 minutes past 7 P. M. It weighed exactly
three grains and a half.
From the snout to the end of the tail it was eight-tenths of an inch
long.
Laid in a watch glass, it moved freely round and round the glass,
and turned over on one side and the other.
329
Examined by a lens, it respired by two nostrils and by the mouth.
It died at ten minutes past nine o’clock, which was one hour and
twenty-nine minutes after its separation, though exposed for some
time to the cold air of the street.
The tongue was apparently equal to one-third the magnitude of
the head—milk white, grooved so as to embrace half the cylindrical
circumference of the teat, which was pressed, as to its other half,
against the vault of the palate. The mouth was a pore, which I
could not distinctly discern without a lens; the cavity of the mouth
spacious. ‘The diaphragm strong.
The heart, in its pericardium, large and powerful. The liver very
large. The stomach filled with milk vesicles, examined in the mi-
croscope; the intestinal convolutions distended with milk and chyle,
stained yellow with bile; the bladder of urine filled with fluid.
Two lungs, each consisting of minute transparent vesicles resem-
bling small soap bubbles.
Such is the anatomy of the young opossum of three and a half
grains, destined to attain a weight of fifteen or sixteen pounds.
While lying on the watch glass, I put the smooth point of a pencil
to its stomal pore. The animal sucked at the pencil, and held on so
firmly, that I could lift it partly off the glass by it.
Does this fact show that twenty-four hours earlier it could draw
the delicate teat into the orifice?
The young, having the teat once in the mouth, cannot let it go;
nor does it abandon it for many days. It adheres as the bitch ad-
heres to the male organ of the dog.
I could discover no trace of an umbilicus. I sought for it with a
good doublet. But it is not to be believed that a breathing, sangui-
ferous, digesting mammifer, can be developed independently of a pla-
centa.
On Monday, March 12th, an animal being removed for dissection
weighed twelve grains; it breathed thirty-two times per minute.
March 18th. A young one weighed eighteen grains. The tail
very prehensile.
I immersed it in a cup of alcohol to kill it for dissection. It did
not die in the fluid until it had been immersed in it for sixteen mi-
nutes.
The observations show the marsupial young to have a chylopoietic,
warm-blooded, oxydating, innervating, and free-willing life, being as
fully endowed with all the means of an independent existence, as the
young of the elephant at the teat.
330
If this be so, all mystery as to the nature of the life of the marsu-
pial young is at an end.
The Committee (Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Dr. Demmé,
and Dr. Bethune), to whom had been referred Prof. Tucker’s
paper upon Cause and Effect, read 5th March, 1847, reported,
recommending that the thanks of the Society be presented to
Prof. Tucker for his paper, and that he be requested to pre-
pare a copy, to be placed in the archives of the Society: which
recommendation was adopted by the Society.
Mr. Ord announced the death of Mr. Charles A. Lesueur, of
Havre, on the 12th December, 1846, in the 68th year of his
age: whereupon Mr. Ord was requested to prepare an obituary
notice of our late member, Mr. Lesueur.
The nominations for membership were then read and dis-
cussed, and the candidates balloted for.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the project for the amendment
of the By-laws, proposed by the Committee, was postponed
until the next meeting.
The business of the meeting being finished, the ballot boxes
were examined, and the following gentlemen declared to have
been duly elected members of this Society:—
M. A. T. Kuprrsr, of St. Petersburg.
M. U. J. Levernrier, of Paris.
Mr. J. Y. Mason, of Virginia.
Mr. Ricnwarp A. Tirenman, of Philadelphia.
Prof. Wm. Procter, Jr., of Philadelphia.
Stated Meeting, May 7.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Parrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read:—
From I’ Institut Royal des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts des
Pays-Bas, dated Amsterdam, 25th January, 1847, announcing
dol
the transmission of the 3d Part of Vol. XII. of their new Me-
moirs:—
From the Corporation of the University in Cambridge, Mass.,
dated Cambridge, 1st December, 1846, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of No. 35, Vol. IV. of the Proceedings of this Soci-
ety: and,—
From Wm. Procter, Jr. acknowledging the receipt of notice
of his election to membership in the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Flora Batava, ou Figures et Descriptions de Plantes Belgiques. Par
Jan Kops, et J. E. Van der Trappen. Nos. 142 to 146, inclusive.
Title and Index to Vol IX. 4to.—From H. M. the King of the
Netherlands.
Nieuwe Verhandelingen der Eerste Klasse van het Koninklijk-Neder-
landsche Instituut van Wetenschappen, Letterkunde en Schoone
Kunsten te Amsterdam. The 3d Part, and the completion of the
XIlth Vol. 4to.—From the Royal Institute of the Netherlands.
Bulletin de la Société de Géographie. Troisiéme Série. Tome VI.
Paris, 1846. 8vo.—From the Geographical Society of Paris.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits et de Notices
relatifs a ?Histoire, a la Philosophie, aux Langues et a la Littéra-
ture des Peuples Orientaux; et publié par la Société Asiatique.
Quatriéme Serie. Tome VIII. No. 39. Novembre, Décembre,
1846. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Boletin de la Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais de Valencia.
Afio 7°. Tomo 40. Noviembre, 1846. 8vo.—From the So-
ciety.
Beston Journal of Natural History, containing Papers and Commu-
nications read before the Boston Society of Natural History, and
published by their direction. Vol. V. No. 3. Boston, 1847.
8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. Ill. Jan. and Feb. 1847. No.7. 8vo.—From the Aca-
demy.
Proceedings of the Providence Franklin Society. Vol. I. April,
1847. No.2. 8vo.—From the Society.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. May,
1847. No. 5. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof. B.
VOL. IV.— 2 Xx
doe
Silliman, B. Silliman, Jr., and James D. Dana. Second Series.
No. 9. May, 1847. 8vo.— From the Editors.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. May, 1847. No. 53.—
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLUI. No. 257. Third Series. Vol XII. May, 1847. No. 5.
8vo.—From Dr. Paiterson.
Critical and Miscellaneous Essays. By Alexander H. Everett. Se-
cond Series. Boston, 1846. 12mo.—From the Author.
Catalogue de la Bibliotheque de M. Libri. Belles-Lettres. Ire Partie.
Paris, 1847. 8vo.—From M. Hector Bossange.
ADDITION TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisitme Série. Tome XVIII.
Décembre, 1846. 8vo.
Mr. Ord made a donation for the Cabinet of a Model of a Temporary
Rudder, invented by Captain Edward Pakenham, and for which
the Society instituted at London for the Encouragement of Arts,
Manufactures and Commerce, presented their Gold Medal. An
account of this invention appears in the Transactions of the said
Society, Vol. VII., 1789.
The Committee (Prof. Henry, Dr. Patterson, Mr. M‘Cul-
loh,) to whom had been referred the paper of Prof. Norton
upon the Imponderable Agents of Nature, reported the follow-
ing resolution, which was adopted :
Resolved, That it is inexpedient, at this time, to take action upon
the Memoir of Prof. Norton, read to the Society on the 4th of De-
cember last, and that the same remain in charge of the Committee,
awaiting the further communications of the author upon the same
subject; subject always, however, to the author’s control.
Prof. Tucker made an explanation upon the subject of the
paper recently presented by him to the Society.
Prof. M‘Culloh read to the Society, the following letter
from Mr. Sears C. Walker:—
Washington, D. C. May 3d, 1847.
Dear Sir,—I have just completed Elements V. of the planet Nep-
tune, as follows :—
Perihelion point, mw = 1° 45’ 32.90 m. eq. Jan. 1, 747.
Node, Q = 129 51 13 .58 r
Inclination, i= VAD) SSO
333
Eccentricity, e = 0.005052917
Mean distance, a = 30.145119
Epact Jan. 1, 1847, MM = 326° 2' 1.34 m. noon Greenwich
M. daily siderial motion, # = 21.437,843
Period in Trop. years, ZT’ = 1655.51380
I do not hesitate to pronounce them the most probable elements of
the present disturbed orbit of Neptune, that can be deduced from a
discussion of all the observations of Neptune extant to this date.
These have already accumulated to 479: viz. 113 American and
366 European. All have been compared with an ephemeris which I
computed from my IV. Elements of Neptune. Thirteen normal
places have been thus obtained, and the corrections of Elements IV.
computed from these normal places by the method of least squares.
In forming the equations of condition, I carried into effect the plan
sketched out in my former letter. The variations of the radius vec-
tor were made a function of the ascending powers of the intervals
from a date assumed for the origin of time.
The variations of the true anomaly were derived from those of
the radius vector, by means of Laplace’s formule for mechanical
quadrations, on the condition that equal areas should be described in
equal times. This mode of forming the equations of condition, for
the purpose of deducing an orbit from direct observation, is new, as
far as | am informed. I send you the comparison of the Ephemeris
from Elements V. with the thirteen normal places in geocentric lon-
gitude and latitude:
Observation less theory.
DATE. b i §
1846, Aug. 9, — 0.22 — 0.72
Sept. 28, + 0 .08 S (ONI37
Oct /85 + 0.17 a=) Oye28
18, — 0 .06 + 0 .09
ey, Ia (OF ON te Oe ail
Nove 7; — 0.18 —— Oa
V7 HOI NSE Me lind argu
Dihs slid 4 Ole, 25) whan = 9405
Wecaiud: — 0 .49 — 0 .08
ie Ania ADE) + 0 .25
Palle + 0.14 + 0 .33
1847, Jan. 16, + 0 .35 — 0 .93
April 6, — 0.10 + 0 .65
dod
You will notice that the two elements left indeterminate in my former
direct solution I]. are now completed. ‘They confirm my former
conclusions respecting the smallness of the eccentricity.
They exhibit, moreover, an unexpected coincidence between the
perihelion points of Elements Il]. and V.—thus:
Elements III. 7 = 0’ 12’ 25”.51 hypothesis of identity with Lalande star.
Hp V. x» =1 45 32 .90 deduced from direct observation.
When we consider the difficulty of deducing the perihelion point of
an orbit so nearly circular, from an apparent arc of less than two de-
grees, it must be admitted that the close agreement is accidental.
Yet we cannot with propriety refuse it some weight in favour of the
affirmative of the hypothesis.
You will, doubtless, wish to know what modification the present
disturbed elements V. require in order to represent the present path
of the planet, and locate it, May 10th, 1795, where the Lalande star
(now missing) was observed. I would answer that the node should
be increased about 927'', and the inclination one tenth of that amount
(92.7''), and the planet should be supposed to have had its average daily
orbital motion increased, by the perturbations of the other planets,
0"'.02061, during the last fifty-two years. In other words, the actual
period must have been oscillating from a value, 165.668, nearer the
double of that of Uranus, towards one more remote, viz: 165.513.
Such is the residual quantity to be explained, before pronouncing
conclusively on the question of identity. It is probable that it might
be reduced in amount, by using intermediate values of the elements
modified so as to represent the planet’s recent path: but in my exa-
mination of the question, I was disposed to borrow nothing from the
hypothesis itself towards its confirmation.
The members of the American Philosophical Society must be gra-
tified to learn that one of their number, Prof. Peirce, has, so far as
we are informed, anticipated the Europeans in applying Laplace’s
analysis to the remarkable inequality of (2 ~’—m«) between the mo-
tions of Uranus and Neptune. Prof. Peirce has shown under what
conditions we must have 0 for the permanent value of (2 »/—#), by
the same course of reasoning as that by which Laplace demonstrated
that we must have the same value for the expression (2 # — 8 p'
+ 2 «) for the three innermost satellites of Uranus.
The researches of Prof. Peirce generally, on the problem of finding
the mathematical planet or planets, that satisfy the residual perturba-
Joo
tions of Uranus, will be looked for with much interest. This field of
research, though entered with such splendid genius by Leverrier and
Adams, it would seem is by no means exhausted.
Yours, truly,
SEARS C. WALKER.
To Rogert M. Parrerson, M.D.
Vice-President American Philosophical Society.
Dr. Boyé reported verbally, in behalf of himself and Mr.
Eckfeldt, to whom had been referred the “Fixed Mercury,”
forwarded by Mr. Sartori, of Leghorn, that upon examination
the first specimen proved to be an amalgam of tin and mer-
cury; the second, pure tin; and the third an arseniuret of cop-
per: neither of the latter contained mercury.
The project for the amendment of the Laws, postponed at
the last meeting, was called up, and the amendment, as pro-
posed by the Committee, adopted, as follows:—
Chap. I. Sect. 2, shall be amended to read as follows :—
“Tt shall be the duty of the Officers and Council to nominate to the
Society, from time to time, such persons as they shall judge worthy
of becoming members therein: and any member of the Society may
at any meeting nominate, in writing, a candidate for membership;
and the nomination so made may, in like manner, be seconded by
another member.”
Dr. Elwyn presented Vol. 1V. No. 36, of the Proceedings
of the Society.
Stated Meeting, May 21.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manches-
ter, dated Manchester, 9th February, 1847, announcing a do-
nation to the Library of this Society: and,—
336
From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, dated Bos-
ton, Ist May, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IX.
Part 3, of the Transactions of this Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VII. February 12, 1847. No. 12. 8vo.—From the Society.
Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.
Second Series. Vol. VII. Part II. London, 1846. 8vo.—From
the Society.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XIX. No. 126. April, 1847. 8vo.
From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
Topographische Sehets van een gedeelte van Sumatra, door Dr. P.
W. Korthals, ridder van de Orde van den Nederl. Leeuw, ge-
wezen Lid der Nat. Commissie in Nederlandsch Oost-Indie, &c.
Leyden, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.
Catalogue de Livres Francais, Grecs, Latins, Anglais, Espagnols,
Orientaux, etc. etc. Premier Supplément. Paris, 1847. 8vo.
From Hector Bossange.
Reports of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane. By Thomas
S. Kirkbride, M.D., Physician to the Institution. Philadelphia,
1846. 8vo.—F rom the Author.
Hybridity in Animals and Plants, considered in reference to the
Question of the Unity of the Human Species. By Samuel
George Morton, M.D. New Haven, 1847. 8vo.—From the
Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor
Jameson. January to April, 1847. No. 84. 8vo.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. Vol. XXX. No. 201. April,
1847. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 590, 591, 592. Altona, March
Ath to the 20th. 4to.
Prof. Frazer presented Vol. I[V. No. 37, of the Proceedings
of the Society.
Jol
Stated Meeting, June 18.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From the Proprietors of the Bowditch Library, dated Bos-
ton, 4th June, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IV.
Nos. 36 and 37, of the Proceedings of the American Philo-
sophical Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, being the
Second Session of the Twenty-eighth Congress, begun and held
at the City of Washington, December 2, 1844. Washington,
1844. 8vo.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, being
the Second Session of the Twenty-eighth Congress. Washing-
ton, 1844-45. 8vo.
Public Documents, printed by order of the Senate of the United
States, First Session of the Twenty-eighth Congress. Vol. VII.
Washington, 1844. 8vo.
Public Documents, printed by order of the Senate of the United
States, Second Session of the T'wenty-eighth Congress. Em-
braced in Eleven Volumes. Vols. I. II. ILI. VII. VII. IX. X.
in two parts, and XJ. Washington, 1845. 8vo.
Executive Documents, Second Session, Twenty-eighth Congress.
Vols. I. II. Il. IV. in two parts. Washington, 1844-45. 8vo.
Reports of Committees, Second Session, Twenty-eighth Congress.
Washington, 1844-45. 8yo. Eighteen Volumes in all.— From
the Department of State.
The Fourteenth Annual Report of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic
Society. Falmouth, 1846. 8vo.—From the Society.
O Auxiliador da Industria Nacional. Periodico da Sociedade Aux-
iliadora da Industria Nacional, estabelecida no Rio de Janeiro.
Vol. I. Nova Serie. Nos. 5, 8,9,10. Svo.—From the So-
ciety.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
308
Vol. Ill. March and April, 1847. No. 8. 8vo.—From the
Academy.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From December, 1846, to April, 1847, inclusive. 8vo.
From the College.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. June,
1847. No. 6. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania.
Third Series. Vol. XIII. June, 1847. No. 6. Whole No. 258.
Vol. XLII. 8vo.—Krom Dr. R. M. Patterson.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. June, 1847. No. 54.
8vo.—F rom Messrs Lea & Blanchard.
New Plan of a Perpetual Civil Calendar, Julian and Gregorian, show-
ing by Inspection the correspondence between Monthly dates and
the Day of the Week, in any Year before or after the Christian
Era. By William M’llvaine. Burlington, N. J. 1846. Three
Copies. —From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXIV. Nos. 1 to 12. 4 Janvier au 22 Mars,
1847. Ato.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Troisiéme Série. Tomes XIV.
et XV., 1845. Tome XIX., Janvier, Février, Mars, 1847. 8vo.
Histoire Naturelle des Poissons; par M. le Baron Cuvier, et par M.
A. Valenciennes. Tomes Dix-huitiéme et Dix-neuvieme. Paris,
1846. 4to. Planches Nos. 487—553, inclusivement.
DONATION TO THE CABINET.
Two Ancient Vases from South America; one from the Island of
Puira, and the other from the Island of Payta.—From the Fam-
ly of the late J. Milnor Williams, through Mr. Joseph Sazton.
_Dr. Dunglison referred to a letter received by him from
Prof. Miiller, of Berlin, dated Berlin, 20th April, 1847, in
which Prof. Miiller stated that he had been much occupied
with the bones of the Basilosaurus or Zeuglodon, collected by
Mr. Koch in Alabama, on which he designed to publish an
extensive treatise. There can be no doubt, he says, that it was
a mammiferous animal. Remains of the animal have been
dod
found in the lower tertiary formation of Europe, namely, in
the Island of Malta, in Southern France, and in Germany on
the Danube. In Malta, the teeth only were found, as long ago
as 1670. In Southern France, and Austria on the Danube,
parts of the skull were discovered.
Dr. Patterson announced to the Society the confirmation,
by the late arrivals from Europe, of Mr. Walker’s discovery
of the identity of the Lalande star and Neptune, and read to
the Society the following letter on this subject from Mr.
Walker.
Washington, D. C., June 1st, 1847.
My dear Sir,—I send you my Elements VII. of Neptune, derived
from Elements V., by clearing them of the effect of the present dis-
turbing action of the three great planets (that of the others is almost
insensible).
The pure elliptic formula—
1 2 TTnN
(Cic)in. CuO R ey Cetra ra nay EY
becomes, in the disturbed orbit,
2 PO Us UO.
(2.) e ° ° ° a = rT —— 7 LE
In which the accented quantities are the disturbed values of the el-
liptie quantities above: k is the Gaussian constant, and k’ is a simi-
lar quantity for the actual position of all the masses of the system,
December 7th, 1847. No. (2) gives, from the values furnished by
least squares,—
ki = 3545.489 , k = 3548".188
a’ = 30.17775
t
23:
fo GP 2 Son mia
T’ = 1659.7175
These values of a’, »', and 7", substituted for a, «, and 7’, in Ele-
ments V., give Elements VII., which are a first approximation to-
wards the pure elliptic elements of Neptune. The following com-
parison of Lalande’s observations, as reduced by Mauvais, Comptes
Rendus, 1847, No. 16, will serve as a test of the ephemeris from
these Elements. ‘The places are referred to the mean equinox of
Jan. 1st, 1847, corrected for parallax, but not for aberration.
VOL. IV.—2 ¥
340
Comparison of Lalande’s Observations with Ephemeris VII.
Date, 1795.
Mean Time, Paris.
lop | On SB
May 8th, 11 10 57
May 10th, 11 2 55
Observed two days’ motion
Computed do. Elem’ts VII.
Discrepancy
Lalande’s Two Observations.
R. A. Dec.
213 41 3°89 |—11 35 4.96
213 38 5.16|—11 345.64
— 178.73) 4 59.32
— 1957.42| + 62.38
Gata 3.06
Correction
of Ephemeris VII.
R. A.
(ee
Dec.
——
+ 141.1] + 395
+ 147.8 | + 36.4
The small residual discrepancy of 3 is to be ascribed to the ne-
glect of the perturbations for the interval of 52 years, and to the
small errors of Elements VII.
To Dr. R. M. Parrerson,
Yours truly and respectfully,
SEARS C. WALKER.
Vice President Am. Phil. Soc.
ls v8
I
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
Vox. IV. JULY—DECEMBER, 1847. No. 39.
Stated Meeting, July 16.
Present, eighteen members.
Dr. Cuapman, President, in the Chair.
Professor Procter, a newly elected member, was presented
to the President, and having signed the laws, took his seat.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Royal Asiatic Society, dated London, 17th April,
1847, acknowledging the receipt of Vol. IX., Part 3, of the
Transactions of the Society, and of Nos. 34 and 35, Vol. IV.,
of the Proceedings of the Society :—
From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset
House, 29th April, 1847, returning thanks for Vol. IX., Part
3, of the Transactions, and Nos. 34 and 35, of the Proceed-
ings:—
From the Corporation of the University of Cambridge,
Mass., dated 16th April and 24th May, 1847, acknowledging
the receipt of Nos. 36 and 37, of the Proceedings, and of Vol.
IX., Part 3, of the Transactions of this Society :—
From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated 26th
April, 1847, announcing donations of books to this Society,
and acknowledging the receipt of Dr. Patterson’s Early His-
tory of the Society, and the Transactions and Proceedings of
this Society :—
From the Regents of the University of the State of New
York, ex officio Trustees of the State Library, dated Albany,
24th May, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceed-
ings of this Society :—
VOL. IV.—2 Z
342
From Dr. Pierre Savi, Professor of Botany in the Univer-
sity of Pisa, no date, announcing a donation of books, and ask-
ing, on the part of the Librarian of the University of Pisa, for
an exchange of books with this Society :—
From W. M‘Ilvaine, dated Burlington, N. J., 18th June,
1847, asking the Society’s acceptance of cards containing a
new plan of a Perpetual Civil Calendar: and,—
From Mr. W. D. Lewis, in relation to the claim which he
has on the Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Real Museo Borbonico. Fascicolo 49, 1840; 50, 51, 1841; 52, 53,
1843; 54,1844. Naples. 4to.—From H. M. the King of the
Two Sicilies.
Journal of the Senate of the United States of America: being the
First Session of the Twenty-ninth Congress; begun and held at
the City of Washington, December 1, 1845, in the Seventieth
Year of the Independence of the United States. Washington,
1845-46. 8vo.—From the Department of State.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States: being
the First Session of the Twenty-ninth Congress. Washington,
1845-46. 8vo.—Frem the same.
Senate Documents: Public Documents, printed by order of the Senate
of the United States, First Session of the Twenty-ninth Congress.
In 9 Volumes. Washington, 1846. 8vo.—From the same.
Executive Documents, First Session, Twenty-ninth Congress. In 8
Volumes. Washington, 1845-46. 8vo.— From the same.
Reports of Committees, First Session, Twenty-ninth Congress. In 4
Volumes. Washington, 1845-46.—From the same.
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Vols EX Now 17, "Part 2.9 Vols X., Part 2: london ts4y.
8vo.——From the Society.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VII. March 12,1847. No.13. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, etc. etc., publié par la
Societé Asiatique. Quatri¢éme Série. Tome IX. Nos. 40, 41.
Janvier, Février, 1847. 8Syvo.—From the Society.
Annali delle Universita Toscane. Tomo primo. Pisa, 1846. 8vo.
From the University.
343
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. July,
1847. No. 7. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Vol. XIX. No. 127.
May, 1847. 8vo.—From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. Vol. XIV. No. 27. July, 1847.
8vo.—From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. July, 1847. No. 55. 8vo.
From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
An Explanation of the Observed Irregularities in the Motion of Ura-
nus, on the Hypothesis of Disturbances caused by a more distant
Planet, &c.—From J. C. Adams, Esq.
A Treatise on the Practice of Medicine. By George B. Wood, M.D.
In Two Volumes. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.
Proceedings of the General Society of the Cincinnati. With the ori-
ginal Institution of the Order, &c. Published by direction of the
State Society of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From
Dr. Thomas M‘Euen.
Catalogue de la Bibliothéque de M. L. (Libri.) Seconde Partie.—
8vo.—From M. Hector Bossange.
Catalogo Metodico dei Pesci Europei de Carlo L. Principe Bonaparte.
Napoli, 1846. 4to.—From the Author.
Medical Botany: or Descriptions of the more important Plants used
in Medicine, with their History, Properties, and Mode of Admi-
nistration. By R. Eglesfeld Griffith, M.D. With upwards of
300 Illustrations. Philadelphia, 1847. Svo.—From the Author.
Memoria del Cavaliere Gaetano Savi, Sull’origanum Majorana, ori-
ganum creticum e origanum Syriacum. 4to.
Descrizione di una Specie de Eleagnus e di varie altre piante Me-
morie del Professor Cav. Gaetano Savi. Modena, 1836. Ato.
Elogio del Prof. Gaetano Savi, morto in Pisa il 28 Aprile, 1844;
scritto dal socio attuale Signor Marchese Cosimo Ridolfi. Mo-
dena, 1845. Ato.
Descrizione della Fimbristylis Cioniana del Dottor Pietro Savi, Pro-
fessore di Botanica. Pisa, 1843. 8vo.
Sopra la Cireolazione dei Liquidi nei Vegetabili considerazioni del
Dottor Pietro Savi. 8vo.
Sopra Alcune Acacie Egiziane, Memoria de Prof. Cav. Gaetano
Savi. Pisa, 1830. 8vo.
344
Notizie Storiche della Accademia Valdarnese del Poggio. Pisa,
1839. 8vo.
Memorie Scientifiche della Accademia Valdernese del Poggio. Pisa,
1841. 8vo.—The foregoing Pamphlets from Professor Pietro
Savi.
Sopra I Carboni Fossili dei Terreni Mioceni delle Maremme Toscane,
Memoria del Prof. Cay. Paolo Savi. Pisa, 1848. 8vo.—From
the Author.
Relazione de’ Fenomeni presentati dai Terremoti di Toscana dell’
Agosto, 1846, e considerazioni teoretiche sopra i medesimi del
Prof. Cav. Paolo Savi. Pisa, 1846. 8vo.—F rom the Author.
Sulla Constituzione Geologica dei Monti Pisani, Memoria del Prof.
Cay. Paolo Savi. Pisa, 1846. S8vo.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Tome XIX. Avril, 1847. Tome
XX. Mai, 1847. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de |’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXIV. Nos.13a17. 4to.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. No. 202. May, 1847. Vol. XXX. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 598 to 596, inclusive. 4to.
The Committee (Professor Frazer, Dr. Patterson, and Mr.
Walker) appointed to examine Mr. Wm. M‘Ilvaine’s supple-
ment to his Perpetual Calendar, recommended its publication
in the Transactions of the Society.
Dr. Patterson announced the death of Professor Thomson,
a member of the Society, who died at Frederick, on the 18th
June, in the 70th year of his age.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, Professor Henry Reed was re-
quested to prepare an obituary notice of Professor Thomson,
which was agreed to.
Prof. Frazer, Reporter, laid before the Society No. 38 of
the Proceedings of the Society.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the communication of Mr. W.
D. Lewis was referred to a Committee, consisting of Judge
Kane, Col. Biddle and Dr. Chapman.
Pending nomination, No. 197, was read.
The requisite number of qualified voters not being present,
the balloting for new members was postponed.
345
On motion of Mr. Ord, the University of Pisa was admitted
among the correspondents of this Society.
Stated Meeting, August 20.
Present, fourteen members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were announced and read: —
From the Royal Geographical Society of London, dated
London, 27th April, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the
Transactions of this Society: —
From the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
dated Boston, 13th July, 1847, offering to present to this So-
ciety a copy of the Map of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, published by authority :—
From Prof. A. D. Bache, dated Thompson’s Station, near
Gloucester, Mass., 13th August, 1847, on transmitting a com-
munication from Professor Riimker:—
From the Perpetual Secretary of the First Class of the Royal
Institute of the Netherlands, in relation to Prizes instituted
and to be instituted by that body: —
From Prof. Henry Reed, dated Bordentown, N. J., 13th
August, 1847, accepting the duty of preparing an obituary
notice of Prof. Thomson:—
From Messrs. Osgood & Co. of New York, dated 24th July,
1847, offering tv devote a column of the Literary World to a
notice of the Proceedings of this Society: and,—
From Mr. R. A. Tilghman, dated London, August 3d, 1847,
accompanying a communication for the Society, and acknow-
ledging the receipt of notice of his election as a member.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Inquiries respecting the History, Present Condition and Future Pros-
pects of the Indian Tribes of the United States. 4to.—From the
War Department, Washington.
346
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Edited
by the Assistant Secretary of the Geological Society. No. 10.
May 1, 1847. 8vo.—From the Geological Society.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London.
Vol. VII. April and May, 1847. Nos. 14 and 15. 8vo.—
From the Society.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the Royal Ob-
servatory, Greenwich, in the year 1844: under the direction of
George Biddell Airy, Esq., M. A., Astronomer Royal. London,
1847. 4to.—From the Royal Society.
The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol.
XVII. 1847. PartI. 8vo.—From the Society.
O Auxiliador da Industria Nacional, Nova Serie. Vol. I. No. 11.
Abril de 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.
Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia.
Vol. III]. May and June, 1847. No. 9. 8vo.—From the
Academy.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLIV. No. 259. Third Series. Vol. XiV. July, 1847. No.1.
8vo.—From the Institute.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIT. August,
1847. No.8. 8vo.—From the American Colonization Society.
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America. ‘The concluding part of Vol. XI.
A. D. 1847. 8vo.—From the Clerk of the Assembly.
Proceedings of the National Medical Conventions, held in New York,
May, 1846, and in Philadelphia, May, 1847. 8vo.—From Dr.
Isaac Flays.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. August, 1847. No.
56. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New
York. Madetothe Legislature, April 24,1847. 8vo.—From the
Regents.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
B. Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr. and J. D. Dana. Second Series.
Vol. IV. July, 1847. No.10. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany and Geology. Vol. XVIII. Nos. 121 and122. Vol.
XIX. Nos. 123, 128,129 and 130. 8vo.—From Sir William
Jardine, Bart.
Elementare Darstellung der Analyse der Fixstern-Bedeckungen des
347
Herrn Geheimen Rath Bessel. Von C. Riimker. Hamburg,
1847. 4to.—From Professor Riimker.
Agricultural Botany: An Enumeration and Description of Useful
Plants and Weeds, which merit the notice or require the atten-
tion of American Agriculturists. By William Darlington, M. D.
Philadelphia, 1847. 12mo.—From the Author.
A Brief Notice of the Life, Researches and Discoveries of Friedrick
Wilhelm Bessel. By Sir J. F. W. Herschel.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Scientific Memoirs. Edited by Richard Taylor, F.S. A. Vol. V.
Part XVII. May, 1847. 8vo.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine. Vol.
XXX. Nos. 203, 204 and 205. June and July, 1847. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 597 to 603, inclusive. 4to.
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Professor
Jameson. No. 85. April to July, 1847. 8vo.
A communication from Mr. Richard A. Tilghman, on the
Decomposing Power of Water at high temperatures, was read
and referred to a Committee, consisting of Prof. Frazer, Dr.
Bache and Dr. Patterson.
A communication was read from Professor Riimker, con-
taining his latest observations on the planet Astreea, and also
his observations on the Comet lately seen.
My dear Sir,—I take the liberty of sending you herewith the
second part of my treatise on occultations of fixed stars, with a few
copies for distribution.
I take the opportunity of communicating to you my latest observa-
tions of the planet Astreea.
1847,
March 22,
Norell” Iie
18,
20,
21,
23,
7,
9,
10,
11,
13,
15,
16,
21,
24,
348
Mean Hamb. Observa-
Time. Apt. A. R. of 2 | Apt. Dec. of 2 tions.
h. m. 5s. 5 Pe 6 a
15 1 10.5] 241 52 52.7 |—13 41 39.4 17
15 18 20.0} 241 28 43.3 UZ 4 6 19
13 15 45 241 17 + 8.8 12 34 15.8 30
13 14 49 240 22 6.3 12 7 54.6 10
13 9 23 240 12 41.8 Wey 44 LO 19
14 33 43 239 52 13.2 11 56 12.2 14
12 10 46 237 «63 23.0 11 3 46.38 10
11 55 58.1] 236 36 14.8 10 56 59.6 10
12 9 44.1} 2386 22 15.2 10 53 24.0 18
12 3 23.0} 2386 8 18.0 10 50 25.8 )
12°28 0:4) 236 8" 6:2 10 50 11.8 | Mer. Cir.
11 11 53.1} 235 40 47.8 10 43 51.0 15
Wt 7% (3.1) 235 12°35-5 10 37 40.1 9
Ley AOR | ABE Si7f By Mer. Cir.
13} Tih WSO Bayt 7 Webs) 10 34 30.1 8
11 39 23.4] 233 48 15.1 |—10 21 11.0) Mer. Cir.
Tih Bak Gisol || Bas 7 Asie) 10 14 31.4 | Mer. Cir.
; PS LP ORS) aks) 7h Tea) 10 14 12.0 7
I join here my observations of the Comet lately seen.
Mean Time,
Hamburg. Apt. A. R. of %
11h. 4m. 46.9s.| 150° 31' 0.8”
1 iG AAO Ope OM oie
12 902305) Na 2275 ACs
12 41 40 150 25 16.6
Apt. Dec. of %
+39° 20’
39 30
40 5
AO 20
47.1”
32.3
50.8
30.0
Mr. Niebour, assistant at the Hamburg Observatory, has thence
computed :
Perihelion passage, June 18*.08925 mean Greenwich time.
Longitude of
Inclination,
Log. Perih. Dist.
Perih. 185° 2' 29”
9 173 27 53
80 36 22
0.3209050
Motion retrograde.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours, very faithfully,
To Prof. A. D. Bacue,
Sec. of the American Phil. Society.
Apt. eq. March 19.
C. RUMKER.
349
Mr. M‘Culloh made some observations on the application of
polarized light to chemical analysis.
After alluding briefly to the discovery of the property of circular
polarization in quartz, by M. Arago, and to the subsequent investiga-
tion, by M. Biot, of the laws of that phenomenon, as exhibited by
certain liquids as well as by quartz, Mr. M‘Culloh remarked, that
but few analytical chemists seem to have availed themselves of the
advantages which circular polarization presents for the extension of
chemical knowledge. They appear to have considered its applica-
tion to practical purposes beset with laborious algebraic calculations,
and troublesome manipulations. And some who have only made a
few imperfect analysis by this optical method of M. Biot, have even
ventured to assert that simpler and quicker methods of attaining the
same results are very desirable; while others have doubted the ex-
actness of optical analysis, rather from want of sufficient evidence or
information on the subject, than from any positive reason for dis-
belief.
His attention had been particularly devoted te this subject, in con-
sequence of a very extensive series of chemical researches in relation
to the manufacture of sugar, and the chemical nature of the cane and
its various products; which researches were made by him under the
superintendence of Prof. A. D. Bache, and the direction of the Secre-
tary of the Treasury, in obedience to an act of Congress. In the
performance of these researches, he had also been assisted by Mr.
Reynolds, an able young chemist of this city. They were designed
to obtain information for the use of the government, and indirectly to
promote the sugar industry of our country. Several hundred saccha-
rine substances were carefully analyzed; and the processes of manu-
facture and refining in Cuba and the United States were fully ex-
amined. The practical results thus obtained, constitute the subject
of a report made to the Secretary of the Treasury, and by him com-
municated to the Senate at the close of the last session of Congress.
Incidentally, these investigations had served to throw light upon
matters of a purely scientific nature; which had, therefore, been
omitted, as inappropriate in the report to Congress; but which, for
that very reason, were proper subjects for the attention of this
Society.
He had referred to his labours thus particularly, that he might
justify himself in presuming to pronounce incorrect the opinions of
chemists of acknowledged reputation and skill. And he thought
VOL. IV.—3 A
390
that, after having been constantly occupied, for nearly two years, in
making chemical investigations by means of polarized light, he might
venture to speak with some confidence upon these matters, without
being guilty of immodesty.
With reference to the objection, that the mathematical calculations
are troublesome, he observed, that they are perfectly simple, and
may be performed by mere arithmetical multiplication, division, &e. ;
that logarithms facilitate them; and that, by varying only the sub-
stance, all other circumstances being constant, the calculations of a
series of optical results become as short and as easy as those of quan-
titative analysis made by the ordinary dry and humid methods with
the common balance.
As the result of the experience of Mr. Reynolds and himself, after
many hundred analyses, he stated, that five or six independent and
complete analyses may be made in a day by a single person, and
that by introducing method into all the manipulations, even a larger
number may readily be performed. He, therefore, believed that no
objection of time can be urged against such analyses; nor would any
one familiar with the manipulations of modern analytical chemistry
find just cause to complain of those of optical examinations after a
few days practice.
Of the accuracy of quantitative determinations by circular polariza-
tion, he observed that the theory of the method is based upon rigid
mathematical deduction, and is, therefore, perfectly exact; all possi-
ble errors are consequently those of observations only. The mean
error of reading an angle of rotation, with the apparatus he had em-
ployed, does not exceed one-tenth of a degree, which for solutions of
sugar corresponds to 0.002, or two-tenths of a per cent. The most
exact assays of gold or of silver, by the humid method of Gay Lus-
sac, made by experienced assayers at the mint of the United States,
with balances far more delicate than those employed by analytical
chemists, are affected with a probable error of 0.0002, plus or minus.
Hence optical determinations compare advantageously with the re-
sults of ordinary analysis. That such determinations are fully en-
titled to confidence, is also proved by checking them with other
methods, and especially that of applying them to known synthetical
mixtures.
In conclusion, Mr. M‘Culloh remarked, that he had for some time
been prevented, by official and other duties, from completing a series
of experimental researches with reference to the effects of temperature
upon the phenomena of circular polarization, and also concerning the
351
nature of the union, whether chemical or mechanical, which takes
place when solid substances are dissolved in water, alcohol and other
liquids. He hoped, however, to be able to present these investiga-
tions ina definite form to the Society before long. And he considered
the subject one full of interest and importance, by reason of its inti-
mate connexion with the molecular forces and constitution of mat-
ter, and its relation to certain recently discovered electro-dynamical
phenomena.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the Proceedings of the Society
for the present year were directed to be sent to the publisher
of the Literary World, New York.
Pending nomination, No. 197, and new nominations, Nos.
198—201, were read.
Stated Meeting, September 17.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Mr. Townsend, a member of a corresponding society, was
introduced.
A letter was received and read:—
From the Royal Bavarian Academy of Sciences, dated
Munich, 24th of April, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of
Transactions and Proceedings of this Society, and of Dr. Dun-
glison’s Public Discourse on Mr. Du Ponceau.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Report of the Sixteenth Meeting of the British Association for the
Advancement of Science; held at Southampton, in September,
1846. London, 1847. 8vo.—From the British Association.
Abhandlungen der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe der Keenig-
lich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vierter Band
die Abhandlungen von den Jahren 1844-46, enthaltend. Miin-
chen, 1846. 4to.—From the Royal Academy of Munich.
302
Bulletin der Kcenigl. Akademie der Wissenschaften. Nos. 6 to 77,
inclusive. 4to.—From the same.
Gelehrte Anzeigen, herausgegeben von Mitgliedern der K. Bayer.
Akademie der Wissenschaften. Vols. 16 to 23, inclusive, for the
Years 1843 to 1846. 4to.—From the same.
Almanach der Keeniglich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
fur das Jahr, 1847.—F rom the same.
Die Ueberbleibsel der Altagyptischen Menschenracge. Eine Abhand-
lung gelesen in der 6ffentlichen Sitzung der K. Academie der
Wissenschaften zu Miinchen am 24 August, 1846. Von Dr.
Franz Pruner. Miunchen, 1846. 4to.—F'rom the same.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits, et de Notices
relatifs 4 ’Histoire, a la Philosophie, aux Langues, etc. etc., des
Peuples Orientaux. Quatri¢me Série. Tome IX. Nos. 42 et 43.
Mars et Avril, 1847. 8vo.—From the Asiatic Society of Paris.
Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York. Vol. IV.
July, 1847. Nos. 10 and 11. 8vo.—From the Lyceum.
Journal of the Franklin Institute ef the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLIV. Nos. 260, 261. Third Series. Vol. XIV. August and
September, 1847. 8vo.—F rom the Institute.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XX. No. 181. August, 1847. 8vo.
From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXII. Sep-
tember, 1847. No. 9. 8vo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. September, 1847. No. 57.
8vo.— From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
On Terrestrial Magnetism. By W. A. Norton. From the American
Journal of Science and Arts, Vol. 1V.—From the Author.
On Balances. By Franklin Peale. From the Journal of the Franklin
Institute. Svo.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisitme Série. Tome XX.
Juin, 1847. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences. Tome XXIV. Nos. 18 a25. 4to.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Vol. XXXI. No. 206. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. No. 604. Altona, July 15, 1847. Ato.
BT
The Committee on Mr. R. A. Tilghman’s paper, “On the
Decomposing Power of Water at High Temperatures,” re-
ported, recommending its publication in the Transactions of
the Society, which was ordered accordingly.
From the long known fact that solutions of salts, which require a
high temperature for dehydration, frequently underwent partial de-
composition before this end was effected, Mr. Tilghman was led to
believe, that by exposing the salt, even in its anhydrous state, to a
high heat, and passing over it a current of aqueous vapour at the
same temperature, these salts might be completely decomposed, and
perhaps the action observed even in those which had given no signs of
partial decomposition under the treatment before alluded to. Upon
trying the experiment, it was found that the anhydrous chlorides of
calcium, strontium, and barium, could be rapidly decomposed by ex-
posing them, at a high red heat, to a current of steam; hydrochloric
acid being copiously evolved, and the oxides of the metals left, the
lime remaining anhydrous from the intensity of the heat employed,
while the baryta and strontia passed to the state of hydrates.
In these haloid salts, it is to be observed that the addition of the
elements of water is absolutely essential to the decomposition; as nel-
ther the hydrogen of the acid, nor the oxygen of the base, existed in
the anhydrous salt. The action is, therefore, the result of a double
decomposition between the steam and the chloride, as well as of the
affinity of the liberated acid and base for water. The experiments
were then extended to the oxysalts, the sulphates of magnesia, lime,
strontia and baryta, which contain, even when anhydrous, all the
elements generally considered necessary for the separate existence of
the acid and bases of which they are composed. The application of
the strongest heat causes no liberation of their acid; but, as with the
chlorides, this effect is immediately produced by the passage of a cur-
rent of steam over them at a high temperature, the baryta and stron-
tia being left in the state of hydrates, and the other bases anhydrous.
The intensity of the affinity between the acid and base of the re-
spective salts, is curiously illustrated by the gradual increase of heat
necessary for their decomposition by aqueous vapour. Thus sul-
phate of magnesia gives off its acid to steam at a low red heat, and
consequently a large portion of the acid may be condensed in an un-
decomposed state.
The sulphate of lime requires a high red heat for its decomposi-
tion; and on this account the greater part of its acid is resolved into
304
sulphurous acid and oxygen gas. The decomposition of the sulphates
of strontia and baryta requires progressively higher heats, which, in
the case of the last salt, must be raised even to low whiteness.
The subphosphate of lime, as it contains an acid much less volatile
than the sulphuric, combined with an excess of a powerful base,
which adds to its stability, was selected as one of the most difficult
tests of this decomposing power of aqueous vapour. By a full white
heat, however, its phosphoric acid was slowly disengaged, and the
acid, by its white precipitate with nitrate of silver, showed that the
excess of aqueous vapour had not prevented the change which heat
is known to produce upon this acid.
It was found, that with the sulphates and muriates of potassa and
soda, although the decomposition began freely at a red heat, yet the
proportion of alkali set free never exceeded a very small per centage
of the residual salt, no matter how long the operation might be con-
tinued. ‘This peculiarity being attributed to the volatility of the hy-
drates of these bases at high temperatures, substances capable of
forming non-volatile combinations with the alkalies were mixed with
the salts, before subjecting them to the action of the heated steam;
the acids were then found to be completely disengaged with facility.
Lime, magnesia, and the subphosphates and subsilicates of lime,
baryta, and strontia, produce this effect; and in all these cases the
chemical combination is so feeble, that, when cold, the alkali is dis-
engaged by the solvent powers of water alone.
Alumina, which possesses so much of the acid character with re-
spect to the strong bases, is proportionally more efficient than any of
the preceding substances in aiding the decomposition of the alkaline
salts; if remains in combination with the alkali, when cold, as a so-
luble aluminate, but is easily precipitated by a current of carbonic
acid gas. The fact, long since noticed by Berthier, that the mixture
of alumina and sulphate of potassa, formed by the calcination of
potash-alum, is converted by heat into aluminate of potassa, was
shown to depend, probably, upon the presence of aqueous vapour.
When the experiment was repeated, and the presence of this vapour
carefully avoided, no decomposition of the sulphate of potassa took
place; but by the contact of the vapour produced by the combustion
of the fuel or otherwise, even in small quantity, and at much lower
temperatures, the decomposition is produced rapidly.
The powerful action of aqueous vapour upon anhydrous alum, at
a high temperature, suggested the possibility that a similar action
might take place upon its mineral representative—feldspar. Steam
DOO
was therefore passed slowly, for some time, over small fragments
of highly heated feldspar. Beyond parted fusion, no other visible
change than a considerable degree of vesicularity in the parts most
exposed was produced; but when the fragments were finely pul-
verized and boiled in water, the concentrated solution was strongly
alkaline, and proved, by the usual tests, to consist of aluminate of
potassa; and after water ceases to extract this salt from the powdered
mineral, dilute sulphuric acid will produce from the residue a small
proportion of alum. It is worthy of remark, that although the con-
tact of the steam in this experiment is confined to the mere surface of
the small fragments of feldspar, yet the chemical decomposition pro-
duced by it is not confined to that surface, but spreads by a ‘‘cemen-
tation action” through their entire mass; pulverization is therefore
required to obtain evidence of the internal change which has been
produced.
All the experiments so far made, would indicate that the following
was the general rule applicable to all salts capable of sustaining heat
alone without decomposition.
Whenever a salt, from its own elements alone, or by the addition
of those of water, can produce a volatile acid and a fixed base, the
evolution of this acid and the liberation of this base will be deter-
mined by passing a current of aqueous vapour over the salt, raised
to a high temperature. When either the acid or the base to be libe-
rated forms a combination with water, which can resist decomposition
by the heat employed, the tendency to form such hydrates adds much
to the decomposing power of the aqueous vapour. Although potash
and soda are not, by themselves, fixed bases at high temperatures,
yet, by the use of the substances before mentioned, they can form
combinations which are fixed, and by this means these salts come
under the above rule.
The actual number of salts which have been as yet subjected to
this mode of decomposition is not very large; yet from their perfect
analogy of composition with many others, there can be but little
doubt of the general extension of the principle.
The applicability of this simple mode of decomposition to the ex-
planation of a great variety of geological changes, is too evident to
escape the attention of those conversant with that science. ‘The au-
thor expresses the hope to be able, in a future paper, to give a more
complete account of some interesting facts which have been observed
in connexion with this subject, and to verify, by experiment, many
points which must at present be left to inference and conjecture.
306
Mr. Ord announced the death of Dr. George M. Zecchinelli,
of Padua, a member of this Society.
Mr. G. W. Smith stated that the singing mouse, which was
discovered some weeks ago in the Northern Liberties, county
of Philadelphia, was in the Librarian’s room, and invited the
members to listen to it after the adjournment of the Society.
There does not appear to be any difference of external form
between this and the common mouse.
Prof. Haldeman exhibited a specimen of a spider (lycosa
scutulata), from which, when stuck with a pin, and in the act
of dying, a parasitic worm of the genus Filaria, three times the
length of the spider, proceeded.
Pending nominations, Nos. 197 to 201, inclusive, were read.
On motion of Prof. Frazer, permission was granted to the
brother of Mr. Richard A. Tilghman to make a copy of the
paper upon the decomposing power of water at a high tempe-
rature, for his own private use.
On motion of Mr. Ord, the Franklin Institute of Philadel-
phia was put upon the list of exchanges of this Society.
Stated Meeting, October 1.
Present, twenty-five members.
Dr. Parrrerson, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester,
England, dated Manchester, 3d August, 1847, acknowledging
the receipt of the Transactions of this Society: and,—
From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall, dated Vienna, 19th
March, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of
this Society, and announcing a donation.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits et de Notices
relatifs a Histoire des Peuples Orientaux, etc. etc. Quatricéme
307
Série. Tome IX. No. 44. Mai, 1847. 8vo.—From the Asiatic
Society of Paris.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Conducted by Prof.
Silliman and B. Silliman, Jr. and J.D. Dana. Vol. IV. No. 11.
Sept. 1847. 8vo.—From the Editors.
Jahrbiicher der Literatur. Hundert dreizehnter Band. January to
December, 1846. Nos. 1138 to 116, inclusive. Wien. 8vo.—
From Baron Von Hammer Purgstall.
An Essay, Literary and Practical, on Inversio Uteri. By John
Green Crosse, M.D., F.R.S. Part the Second. London, 1847.
8vo.—From the Author.
Chemistry applied to the Manufacture of Soap and Candles. By
Campbell Morfit. Philadelphia, 1847. 8vo.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. Vol. XXXI. No. 207.
Sept. 1847. 8vo.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. ‘Troisitme Série. ‘Tome XX.
Juillet et Aodit, 1847. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des Sci-
ences; par MM. les Secrétaires perpétuels). Tome XXIV. No.
26. 28 Juin, 1847. Tome XXV. Nos.1a4. 5 Juillet au
26 Juillet, 1847. 4to. Tables, deuxiéme Semestre. 1846. ‘Tome
XXIII.
Mr. Haldeman exhibited specimens of engravings of shells
on steel, intended for the publication of the results of the Geo-
logical Survey of New York. He stated that the expense
was only two-fifths of similar plates on stone a few years ago.
Pending nominations, from Nos. 197 to 201 inclusive, and
new nomination, 202, were read.
Stated Meeting, October 15.
Present, nineteen members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From Dr. Niirnberger, dated Niirnberg, 1st May, 1847, ac-
companying a donation to the Library.
VOL. Iv.—3 B
308
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Jan.
27th to May 25th, 1847. Boston. 8vo.—From the Academy.
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. Oct.
1847. No.10. 8vo.—From the American Colonization So-
ciety.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac
Hays, M.D. New Series. Vol. XIV. No. 28. October, 1847.
8vo.—F'rom the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. October, 1847. No. 58.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
North American Herpetology; or, A Description of the Reptiles in-
habiting the United States. By John Edwards Holbrook, M.D.
Philadelphia, 1842. 5 Vols. 4to.—From the Author.
Memoir on the Fossil Genus Basilosaurus; with a notice of Speci-
mens from the Eocene Green-sand of South Carolina. By Robt.
M. Gibbes, M.D. Philadelphia, 1847. 4to.—From the Author.
Grundziige der neueren Astronomischen Beobachtungs-Kunst. En-
tworfen von Dr. C. T. Anger. Danzig, 1847. 4to.—F rom the
Author.
Populares Astronomisches Hand-Worterbuch. Von Dr. Joseph Emil
Nirnberger. Zwéolftes und dreizehntes Heft, L.—M. Kempten,
1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
On motion of Dr. Boyé, Dr. Boyé, Mr. Peale, and Dr. Be-
thune, were appointed a Committee to examine into the phe-
nomena presented by the singing mouse, which was recently
brought before the Society.
Dr. Bethune made some remarks on ethnology, a term he
preferred to ethnography.
It has generally been assumed that civilization was the result of a
people’s emergence by their own force and gradually from a barbar-
ous state. This view is taken by various writers, especially the
French, on the contrat social, and has become the popular notion.
Dr. Bethune affirmed that all history taught the contrary. We have
no established instance of a nation emerging from barbarism by its
own force, but always where such a change has occurred in the con-
dition of a people, it received the graft of civilization from another ;
and there never has been a time when civilization did not exist some-
359
where, though often changing its place. He considered this as a
proof that civilization is the natural state of man, and must have
been his original state, or the state which he derived from God.
Dr. Bethune also considered that nations were distinctly charac-
terised by their moral peculiarities, and especially by the supersti-
tions prevalent among them. Every form of superstition is of very
remote origin, and the several classes can be traced backward through
successive periods to a common source; the form prevalent among
any nation marking the period when it broke off from the main
stem. ‘Thus the northern Indians of America (if their faith be pro-
perly ascertained), are the only savage people known to us who wor-
ship a pure Spirit as God; and hence they must be the oldest, having
left the main family before idolatry became prevalent. Fire being
originally the sign of the divine Presence, the worship of fire as a
representative of Diety was the earliest form of idolatry, and marks
a people among whom it prevails as very ancient in their separation.
Angels in the visible shape of supernatural man, being employed
by the invisible God as his messengers, gave rise to the second form
of idolatry, that of images resembling man, though variously ex-
aggerated, according to the taste of the people. The third form was
the result of more philosophical refinement, being the worship of em-
blems, representing the various providence of the Divine Being; as
the ox in agriculture; the trident or fish-spear for maritime affairs,
&c. Next to the emblematic came the symbolical ; as the egg, the
serpent-circle, &c. This was carried to the highest pitch in the Bac-
chic mysteries, where, under forms revolting to modern refinement,
the most subtle doctrines were concealed. It is remarkable that
wherever history (other than sacred) leads us, we find traces of the
Bacchic or Phallic superstition, from India to ultima Thule; from the
date of the Shastres down to the present time.
Dr. Bethune inferred from this that the superstitions and tradition-
ary moral notions of a people, should be studied as much as the form
of their heads or the radical of their language, to discover their
origin. The bale (or Baal) fires still lighted in Ireland, and the
image of the sun on the ruined temples of the Mexicans, mark
an original consanguinity of the long separated nations. So, dis-
tinct traces of the Phallic worship (as late as the middle of the last
century), prove the source from which Marseilles was colonized,
after that mysticism had been invented by the Egyptian hierophants.
All these considerations, leading us backward to a unity or com-
mon origin of the race, as well as to a state of high morals and civi-
360
lization, Dr. Bethune thought, went to confirm the Mosaic history.
He also referred to the reasoning in the first chapter of the epistle to
the Romans, to show that his view was that taken by the apostle
Paul. He also hoped to investigate the subject farther and communi-
cate the result in form.
Pending nominations, from No. 197 to 202, were read.
The requisite number of qualified voters not being present,
the balloting for members was postponed.
Stated Meeting, November 5.
Present, twenty-two members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read :—
From the President of the Corporation of the University in
Cambridge, Mass., dated Harvard College, Cambridge, 28th
July, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings of
this Society :—and,
From His Excellency George Bancroft, dated U. S. Lega-
tion, London, 4th October, 1847, announcing a donation to the
Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVI. Part
If. Edinburgh, 1847. 4to.—From the Society.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. XVII. Part
Il. Containing the Makerstoun Magnetical and Meteorological
Observations for 1843. Edinburgh, 1847. 4to.—From the
same.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Vol. II. Nos. 29
and 30. 1846-47. 8vo.—From the same.
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. Vol.
VII. June 11, 1847. No. 16. 8vo.—From the Society.
The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Edited
by the Assistant Secretary. No. 11. August Ist,1847. 8yo.—
From the Society.
361
The African Repository and Colonial Journal. Vol. XXIII. Novem-
ber, 1847. No. 11. Svo.—From the American Colonization
Society.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XX. Sept. 1847. No. 182. 8vo.
From Sir Wm. Jardine, Bart.
Twenty-ninth Congress, Ist Session, House of Representatives. War
Department. Document, No. 211. Letter from the Secretary
of War, relative to the Mineral Lands on Lake Superior, accom-
panied with a Map. 8vo.—From the Hon. G. M. Dallas.
An Attempt to Discover some of the Laws which govern Animal
Torpidity and Hibernation. By Peter A. Browne, LL.D. 8vo.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 605, 606, 607, 608 and 609.
Ato.
Dr. Patterson read a letter from A. D. Bache, LL.D., dated
U.S. Coast Survey Station, near Berwick, on the subject of a
certain method of determining the sun’s parallax, proposed by
Dr. Gerling of Masburg, and the memorial by Lieut. Gillis
upon the subject.
And upon motion, the papers upon the subject were referred
to a Committee, consisting of Dr. Patterson, Mr. M‘Culloh, and
Prof. Kendall.
Pending nominations, from No. 197 to 202, were read.
Mr. Ord moved the adoption of a substitute for chapter 1,
section 10, of the Laws of the Society.
The subject was, according to the Laws of the Society, laid
over until the next stated meeting.
And on motion of Judge Kane, the Librarian was requested
to give notice that the enacting of laws will be part of the busi-
ness of that meeting.
On motion of Judge Kane, Mr. F. Peale, one of the Curators,
was authorized to withdraw from the cabinet, for a period not
exceeding ten days, the manuscript of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, the Jefferson Chair, and the portrait of Mr. Jeffer-
son, for the purpose of placing them for that time in the col-
lection about to be opened for exhibition at the hall of the
Musical Fund Society, for the benefit of the society.
362
On motion of Mr. G. Washington Smith, the Librarian, and
Curator, Mr. Peale, were authorized to take measures for the
preservation of the MSS. of the Declaration of Independence.
Stated Meeting, November 19.
Present, twenty-three members.
Dr. Cuarman, President, in the Chair.
A letter was received and read:—
From the Perpetual Secretary of the Royal Academy of
Sciences and Belles-Lettres of Brussels, dated Brussels, 8th
October, 1847, acknowledging the receipt of the Proceedings
and Transactions of this Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
The American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. No.
12. November, 1847. 8vo.—From the Editors.
The Annals and Magazine of Natural History, including Zoology,
Botany, and Geology. Vol. XX. No. 133. October, 1847.
8vo.—From Sir Wm. Jurdine, Bart.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. November, 1847. No.
59. 8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
An Address delivered before the Chester County Horticultural So-
ciety, at West Chester, Pa. September 10, 1847. By Wm. H.
Dillingham. 8vo.—From the Chester County Horticultural
Society.
Address delivered at the opening of the New Hall of the Athenzeum
of Philadelphia, on Monday, October 18, 1847. By Thomas I.
Wharton, Esq. 8vo.—From the Author.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine, and
Journal of Science. Third Series. No. 208. October, 1847.
8vo.
363
The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Conducted by Prof.
Jameson. No. 86. Vol. XLUI. April—October, 1847. 8vo.
Astronomische Nachrichten. Nos. 610 and 611. 4to.
Dr. Franklin Bache announced the death of the Hon. Alex-
ander Everett, a member of this Society, on the 29th of June
last.
A letter was read from Richard Owen, Esq. to the Hon.
Edward Everett, President of the University of Cambridge,
Mass., containing some remarks upon Dr. Meigs’ paper on
the generation of Didelphis Virginiana, and expressed his de-
sire to obtain a specimen of a gravid female of this species for
the Hunterian Museum.
Dr. Meigs made some remarks upon this letter, defending
his belief that the young opossum is developed from a placenta.
Dr. Dunglison made some remarks upon the same subject,
agreeing with Prof. Owen.
Prof. Frazer read an extract from a letter of Prof. Mitchell,
of Cincinnati, stating that he believed he had obtained two posi-
tions of Lassel’s satellite of Neptune, nearly 180° apart, and
with an interval of about six days.
Pending nominations, from No. 197 to 202, were read.
Mr. Ord called for the consideration of the by-laws prepared
by him at the last meeting, which being ordered, the substitute
offered by him in place of chapter I., section X. of the Laws of
the Society, was unanimously adopted, (twenty-three members
voting in the affirmative,) as follows, viz:—
‘* Such members as reside within ten miles of the Hall of the So-
ciety, and such others as desire to vote at the meetings and elections,
shall pay an admission fee of ten dollars; and annually thereafter,
on the first Friday of January, a contribution of ten dollars; but
should the annual contribution be not paid on or before the third
Friday in July, then shall ten per centum be added to the same for
each and every year that it shall remain unpaid.”
364
Stated Meeting, December 3.
A. D. Bacus, LL.D., Vice-President, in the Chair.
Present, thirty-four members.
Dr. Bache introduced Major Sanders, of the corps of Engi-
neers, to the presiding officer.
Letters were received and read: —
From the Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin, dated 26th
July, 1847, and 15th August, 1847, announcing a donation to
the Society, and acknowledging the receipt of Proceedings and
Transactions of the Society: and,—
From the Royal Institute of Sciences, Belles-Lettres and
Arts of the Low Countries, dated Amsterdam, 24th August,
1847, acknowledging the receipt of Transactions and Proceed- ,
ings of the Society.
The following donations were announced:—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Nouveaux Mémoires de l’Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-
Lettres de Bruxelles. Tome XIX. 1845. Tome XX. 1847.
Ato.—From the Academy.
Mémoires Couronnés et Mémoires des Savants Etrangers, publiés
par Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-
Arts de Belgique. Tome XIX. 1845 and 1846. ‘Tome XX.
Tome XXI. 1846. 4to.—From the same.
Bulletins de Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de
Bruxelles. Tome XII. 2™© Partie. 1845. Tome XIII], en deux
Parties. 1846. Tome XIV. 1? Partie. 1847. S8vo.—From the
same.
Annuaire de l’Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des
Beaux-Arts de Belgique. Douziéme Année, 1846. Treiziéme
Année, 1847. 12mo.—From the same.
Abhandlungen der Kéniglichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu
Berlin. Aus dem Jahre, 1845.—From the Academy.
Bericht tiber die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der
KGnigl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin. July
to December, 1846. January to June, 1847. 8vo.—From the
same.
365
Annales de l’Observatoire Royal de Bruxelles, publi¢es aux frais de
Etat, par le Directeur, A. Quetelet. Tome V. 4to.—From the
Director, A. Quetelet.
Annuaire de Observatoire Royal, par Je Directeur, A Quetelet.
1846 et 1847. 18mo.—F rom the same.
Boletin de la Sociedad Economica de Valencia. Ano 8°. Tomo
4°, Julio, Marzo, 1847. 8vo.—From the Society.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLIV. Nos. 262, 263. Third Series. Vol. XIV. Oct., Nov.,
1847. No. 11. 8vo.— From the Institute.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I. June,
1847. 8vo.—From the Society.
Observations des Phénoménes Périodiques. Par A. Quetelet. Ex-
tracted from the 19th and 20th volumes of the Brussels Academy.
4to.—From the Author.
De l’Influence du Libre Arbitre de Homme sur les Faits Sociaux, et
particuliérement sur le nombre des Mariages. Par M. A. Quete-
let. Extrait du Tome III. du Bulletin de la Commission centrale
de Statistique. 4to.—From the Author.
Sur les Anciens Recensements de la Population Belge. Par M. A.
Quetelet. Extrait du Tome III. du Bulletin de la Commission
centrale de Statistique de Belgique. 4to.—From the Author.
Enquéte sur le Travail et la Condition Physique et Morale des Ouv-
riers employés dans les Manufactures de Coton, a Gand. Par
M. M. J. Mareska, et J. Heyman. 8vo.—From M. Quetelet.
Mémoire sur les Etoiles Filantes, ainsi que sur les Météores en géné-
ral, par rapport a leurs causes déterminantes. Par Thomas
Ignace Marie Forster. 8vo.—From M. Quetelet.
Chronicles of the First Planters of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay,
from 1623 to 1636. Now first collected from original Records
and contemporaneous Manuscripts, and illustrated with Notes.
By Alexander Young. Boston, 1846. 8vo.—From the Author.
Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers of the Colony of Plymouth, from
1602 to 1625. Now first collected from original Records and
contemporaneous printed Documents, and illustrated with Notes.
By Alexander Young. Second Edition. Boston, 1844. 8vo.—
From the Author.
Revolutionary Services and Civil Life of General William Hull;
prepared from his Manuscripts, by his Daughter, Mrs. Maria
Campbell. Together with the History of the Campaign of 1812,
VOL. IV.—3 €
366
and Surrender of the Post of Detroit; by his Grandson, James
Freeman Clarke, New York.’ 1848. 8vo.—From the Editor.
The Medical News and Library. Vol. V. Dec. 1847. No. 60.
8vo.—From Messrs. Lea & Blanchard.
Report of the Organization Committee of the Smithsonian Institution.
Report ef the Board of Regents, submitted to Congress, of the
Operations, Expenditures, and Condition of the Smithsonian In-
stitution. —From T. R. Peale, Esq.
Professor Henry presented a communication from Mr. T.
Allen, entitled “An account of the inflammable Gas-wells on
the banks of the Kanawha river, in Virginia, as they appeared
in June, 1847,’ which was read by the Secretary.
Mr. Allen states that the term “ gas-well” is applied in that part of
the country to designate certain borings or artesian wells, made to
the depth of from 1000 to 1800 feet, for the purpose of procuring
stronger brine than that nearer the surface, from which escape, to-
gether with the brine, large quantities of carburetted hydrogen gas,
which is applied as a fuel in the process of manufacturing the salt.
The boring is about 3 inches in diameter, and is fitted with a copper-
pipe, from the top of which the mingled gas and liquid, forced upward
by the pressure at the bottom of the well, are conveyed through
wooden-pipes to a square cistern of planks, supported at a height of
10 to 12 feet above the level of the soil, for the purpose of obtaining
a head for distributing the liquid to the evaporating pans. In this
cistern is placed a gas-holder, made of a portion of the trunk of a
hollow sycamore (buttonwood) tree, closed above by a plank top,
and open below, beneath which the conducting pipe terminates. The
gas and liquid at once separate, and while the latter is conducted to
the salt-pans, the former accumulates in the gas-holder, and is con-
veyed through a wooden pipe from its top to the furnace chamber,
where it is distributed through iron-tubes inserted in the masonry.
The furnace chamber is about 100 feet in length, and 5 or 6 feet
wide, furnished below with an ordinary grating to admit air, (the
supply of which is regulated by flat stones covering more or less of the
openings), and closed above by the bottoms of the cast iron salt-pans.
The gas being specifically lighter than the air, rises and occupies the
upper portion of the chamber in contact with the pans, but burns only
at its lower surface where it is in contact with the air; thus fur-
nishing a sheet of flame suspended midway of the height of the cham-
367
ber. The evaporating pans are fitted with wooden covers, and the
vapour escaping from them is conducted through pipes passing
through the cisterns before spoken of, and by its condensation fur-
nishes a large quantity of perfectly soft water. The excess of the
gas is used as fuel under the boiler of a steam engine employed in
boring another well, and for the purposes of lighting up the establish-
ment at night.
In the works from which the description was taken, 450 bushels of
good merchantable salt are made daily, and can be sold at 18 cents
per bushel. It is not every brine-well, however, which furnishes the
gas; nor is the supply unlimited, since the first gas-well has en-
tirely given out. The temperature of the water from all these wells
is the same as that of the coldest spring water, which contrasts singu-
larly with the phenomena found in corresponding borings in Europe,
such as the well at Grenelle, the temperature of whose water is 85°,
and the observed increment below the point of constant temperature,
1° for every 50 feet.
Mr. Allen attributes the rise of the water to the hydrostatic pressure
in subterranean currents extending from the tops of the surrounding
mountains; the gas he supposes to be developed during the conversion
of the bituminous coal (with which the region abounds) into coke, gra-
phite and anthracite; the coldness of the water he attributes to the
solution of the salt. The borings are through soft, crumbling sand-
stone, into which the drills penetrate easily and perforate a channel
like a tube of stone. They are usually 22 or 3 inches diameter, and
to prevent the infiltration of the upper weaker brine, are lined with a
copper tube of about 2 inches diameter, made continuous by being
tightly united by screw-joints of cast brass, and with a strip of leather
around the lower end to make the tube fit tight to the bore of the drill
hole. ‘The contract price for boring to the depth of 1000 feet, is
$2.50 per foot, the necessary steam-power being furnished, and six
months allowed to execute the work.
The drilling apparatus consists of “auger-rods,” as they are termed,
made of round pieces of oak of about 2 inches diameter, and often
20 feet long, the secticns being united by iron screw-joints. ‘The
bottom sections of the auger-rods are made of iron, terminated with
a steel drill, this heavy metal being used to cause the descent of the
wooden rods in the water that usually fills the drill-hole. The lower
iron rods are for this reason called by the workmen ‘ sinkers.”
The lowest steel-pointed section of the auger-rod is formed with an
open slit at the end of its junction with the section next above it, in-
368
stead of being connected by a fast screw-joint. This contrivance
allows of the descent of the great length of several hundred feet of
the auger-rod, without expending its whole momentum upon the drill,
which is thus always allowed to fall with the uniform force of its own
weight alone, there being sufficient scope in the length of the slit to
allow the weight of the auger-rod to become arrested by the elastic
rope employed to lift and drop it, to produce the desired churning
movement.
Professor Bache left the chair, which was taken by Dr. Pat-
terson.
Professor Bache then communicated a description of a base
apparatus, planned by him and executed by Mr. Wm. Warde-
man, mechanician of the coast survey.
The base apparatus presented some novel feature in constructien,
the adaptation of others not hitherto used in field work, and a choice of
parts previously used by others. ‘The general plan was devised by me,
and the details by Mr. William Wardeman, mechanician of the coast
survey, by whom they were executed under my direction. The fol-
lowing are the general features of the apparatus. 1. The measur-
ing bars were upon the compensating system first used, I believe, by
Col. Colby in Great Britain, and by Mr. Borden in the United States,
but the mode of obtaining the compensation differed entirely from that
used by either of these gentlemen. 2. A principle was introduced in
reference to the dimensions of the bars which, if at all recognised,
has not been hitherto applied. A bar of brass and a bar of iron of
the same dimensions, exposed to the same source of heat, will not
heat equally in equal times; this is well known to depend upon the
different conducting powers of the two metals, their different specific
heats, and the different powers of their surfaces to absorb heat. The
bars then, if of equal sections, when the temperature is rising or fall-
ing, have not the same temperature, and the system is not compen-
sating. ‘The surfaces are easily made to absorb equally by the same
coating, and the sections must be so proportioned to each other that
the bars will have the same temperature when exposed to variable
temperatures of the atmosphere and of the case containing them.
Having arranged the sections approximately, using numbers taken
from the books, the change, in length, during increase or decrease of
temperature, were not perceived when microscopes were used sup-
ported upon wooden stands, or even upon stone blocks of small size ;
the means of measurement were not sufficiently delicate to perceive
369
them, or they were masked by greater changes in the supports.
When the level of contact was substituted for the microscopes, or
when Mr. Saxton’s reflecting pyrometer was employed, these changes
became very perceptible, and it was necessary to resort to direct ex-
periment upon the materials of the bars themselves to obtain even
approximate results, and then to correct a small residual quantity by
applying a covering more absorbent of heat to one bar than to the
other. Ifsuch changes have not been perceived hitherto, it has been
because adequate means were not used to detect them. 3%. The
lever of contact and level, first used, I believe, in the adjustment of
standard measures by Bessel, was applied to indicate the lengths of
the bars. The levels were so delicate, that several divisions upon
them made up a quantity entirely insignificant in the measurement.
The doubt which I had was whether the sensibility of the apparatus
had not been carried too far; this was, however, entirely removed
upon finding the rapidity and certainty with which it could be used.
The contact between two adjacent measures was between a blunt
knife edge and a plane of agate. 4. The trussed support for the bars
adapted to bearing the apparatus at two points only, and the tin
covering or tube which surrounded the whole, were similar to those
used by Mr. Borden, but differed entirely in the adaptation of them ;
the bars moved freely on the trussed frame upon rollers, and were not
attached to the covering tube in which the trussed frame itself was
merely supported. The tin covering was conical and was doubled.
5. The tressles admitted of the various motions required in placing
the apparatus, and the length of the whole about twenty feet, (six
metres), gave a weight which permitted easy and rapid transfer by
four men, when covered with several thicknesses of imperfectly con-
ducting material to keep the fluctuations of temperature within mo-
derate limits. The contacts were usually made in much less time
than the setting of the forward tressles for the measure. ‘The follow-
ing statistics of the measurement of a base line on Dauphin Island, at
the entrance to Mobile bay, with this apparatus, will suffice for the
present to show that we have obtained a useful auxiliary in a geodetic
survey, especially when the difficulties of triangulation render ad-
visable the measurement of frequent bases. The greatest length
measured in the course of a day, in the final measurement, was one
hundred and eighty-three tubes, equal to nearly seven-tenths of a
mile; the least forty-seven, or one-quarter of a mile; the average
one hundred and four tubes, or four-tenths of a mile. The whole
measurement of nearly seven miles was completed in seventeen
370
working days, not reckoning the time lost by bad weather, or oc-
cupied by change of camp, and by comparisons of the apparatus.
The length of the apparatus was compared, before and after the final
measurement, with a standard iron bar with which it had been com-
pared in the Coast Survey office, by using Mr. Saxton’s reflecting
pyrometer.
The accuracy with which a remeasurement of considerable length
could be made was tested more than once in the measurement, but it
was determined to make a more complete direct trial by establishing
intermediate marks, and noting by the microtelescopes attached to
the ends of the bars the deviation at intervals. The greatest devia-
tion in the length of seventeen tubes was between one and two-hun-
dredths of an inch, the average in cases of repetition, not regarding
signs, was five one-thousandths of an inch, the final error at the end
of the one-third of a mile remeasured was nothing. The probable
error of remeasuring one hundred and twelve yards was less than
five ten-thousandths of an inch, making on the whole length of the
base, and supposing all the errors to fall in the same direction, which
is physically most improbable, less than nine-tenths of an inch. ‘The
great practical difficulty found at the outset was to obtain a mark
which would stand unmoved in the sand to which to refer the ap-
paratus on recommencing a measurement; this was satisfactorily
obviated after many experiments, and the marks which | have just
stated to have been placed at intervals may be assumed generally to
have been stationary from one measurement to another. Incidentally,
this remeasurement gave a strong test of the perfect compensation of
the apparatus under sudden changes of temperature, as well as for
different stationary temperatures. A storm came up after the second
measurement was commenced, which interrupted it for between one
and two hours, and cooled the air suddenly about four degrees. The
second measurement was therefore made at a lower temperature by
some degrees than the first, and under expcsure to a sudden fall of
temperature.
The chair having again been taken by Prof. Bache,—
Professor Henry made a communication relative to some ob-
servations on the Aurora Borealis, with the object of determin-
ing the height of the meteor. The result of the observations
tended to establish the fact, that the arch of the aurora, like the
rainbow, is a local phenomenon, each observer seeing a differ-
ent object.
371
Professor Bache submitted to the Society, certain charts of
the progress of the survey under his superintendence.
Dr. F. Bache reported the decease of Mr. James Ross, of
Pittsburg, a member of this Society, who died on the 27th of
November, 1847.
The Treasurer presented to the Society his annual report on
the state of its funds.
The Committee of Publication made their annual report.
Pending nominations, from No. 197 to 202, were read.
The following communication was received by the Secretary
previous to the meeting, but accidentally omitted; which being
represented to the Society, they, by resolution of January,1848,
directed the paper to be inserted in the proceedings of the
meeting at which it should have been read.
Corrections and Additions to his paper on the Longicornia of the
United States, by S. S. Haldeman.
Since the year 1844, in which the greater portion of the former
paper was prepared, a number of doubtful points have been solved,
species detected, and errors discovered, which it was not practicable
to insert during the publication, but which are now presented that
they may bear the date of the original article, at least as far as the
year is concerned. The original numbers are employed, and con-
tinued after 284, for the additional species cited.
2, 6. Orthosoma cilipes Say, is a Mallodon, of which M. simplici-
colle isa synonym. Cab. Le Conte.
17. For solitarius read solitarium.
21. Cerasphorus quadrispinosus = rusticus F. 2, 311. Oliv. 69
tab. 2.16, the locality of Fabr. being incorrect. Cuiton Newn., takes
precedence of CERASPHORUS.
22. Enaphalodes lecontei | Dej. is correctly referred. The genus
scarcely differs from Elaphidion. The inverted mark | is used to
indicate an uncharacterised name, and { (See No. 85) to signify in
error. Both are to be placed between the name and the authority,
thus separating what do not properly belong together. With these,
two vertical lines may indicate a name improperly employed for the
second time, as Herrrosce is |
Dupont, which is CaMpyLocNEMIS
Ww., there being another genus previously named HrerEroscEtis.
See No. 319.
25. For Elaphidion aspersum, read incertum Nm.
O72
26. For E. truncatum read inerme Nm.
27. For muriaticus read muticus.
33. Elaphidion bidens F. Add E. spinicorne Nm.
39. Dele var. brunneum. Most dark coloured species are paler
when immature.
43. Hylotrupes baiulus Zin. occurs from Mass. to Car.
44. Arhopalus fulminans #. Hab. Mass. to Alab. Wiskonsin.
46. Callidium cyanellum | Dey. has been described by Newman
as antennatum. Ent. mag. 5,393.
56. Tetropium Ab. (1838) Fauna Bor. am. 174, pl. 5, fig. 8.=
Criomorphus Muls. (1839) Coleop. de France.=Isarthron | Dep.
59. Smodicum cucuiforme S. Callid. cylindroides Nm. Ent.
mag. 5,394, isa synonym.
61. Stenosphenus notatus O. Add deflendum Nm. (Elaphid.)
73. Clytus luscus F. Add humeralis Nm. Ent. mag. 5,394.
77. For Clytus vespoides read C. marginicollis Lap.
80. Clytus caprea Say. Add elevatus Lap. and gibbicollis Lap.
81. C. hamatus Say is distinct from C. gazella F. and is the same
as C. ruricola O. fide Laporte.
82. C. undulatus Say. Add undatus Kb.=sayi Lap.
85. C. fuscus Kb. Add undulatus t Lap.
87. For muricatus read muricatulus Kb.
Dele No. 89, vide 190.
96. For gazelluta read gazellula.
99. Puyron must replace Diozodes, but Say’s trivial name has
priority of Newman’s limum.
102. Nornrus scarcely differs from GRACcILIA.
103. The generic name Plectromerus | Dey. must give way to
Curtus Nm.
105. For maculatum, pallidum; read maculatus, pallidus.
108. For linearis read lineare.
109. For Gnomo read Gnoma.
113. Dele Necydalis americanus, which is Q of 114 N. mellitus,
Mr. Brevoort, of N. Y., having found them zn cottu. Genus Callis-
phyrus Nm.
115. Genus Hetromanrs Nm.
1154. Molorchus corni was overlooked in the enumeration.
116. Moneritema Say, seems to have a synonym in Collapteryx
Nm. It represents Dorcapron upon the western continent, and ap-
pears to inhabit a similar region with that genus. I am indebted to
Dr. Le Conte for a specimen.
373
118. For A. read A?
125-6. Dr. Le Conte thinks Amniscus marginellus | Dej. Hald.
identical with A. aculifera S. and in a letter states that “Say was in
error when he wrote tip entire, as they are truncate in all the genus.”
132-3. Dr. Le Conte thinks Amniscus sticticus and A. macula
identical.
138. Lamia facetus Say, is stated by Dr. Le Conte to be a Lz-
IOPUS.
145. Leiopus symmetricus. Syn. L. rufiventris | Harris.
151. Having now a specimen of this species, I am able to refer it
to Exocentrus instead of PoconocueErvs, in which it was provi-
sionally placed.
152. Dr. Le Conte thinks this should be considered an Exocen-
TRus, and he has doubts of Desmipnora being a good genus.
158. For Monohammus maculosus read confusor Kb. N. Z. p.
168.
160. For M. tomentosus 7ead marmorator Kb., 169.
161. Dele marmorator.
163. The possible reference to Astynomus nodosus ¢ should have
been questionable.
164. I have received specimens of Plectrodera scalator from New
rleans, through Mr. Guex, and Dr. Morris has an individual taken
in Washington, D. C.
179. Compsidea tridentata occurs from Mass. to Alab. and in
Missouri.
180. C. lateralis appears in June and July.
188. Saperda pergrata Say (now in Cab. Le C.) is a STENosToLA.
190. Atimia tristis is Clytus confusus Say, as Dr. Harris has re-
cently shown me. It will of course take Say’s trivial name.
191. I think it best at present to refer ATAxIa to STENIDEA.
192. Stenostola fuscipes Say, placed in this genus by Dejean, is a
SapPerDA, and the % of Saperda discoidea F. The two have been
found in coitu by several observers.
195. O. myops. Add—a small spot upon the humeri, another
between the anterior and medial feet; superior and posterior margin
of the mesosternum, and a lateral blotch upon the 2d and 3d abdomi-
nal segments, black, Pennsylvania in June, on Acer.
201. Oberea monostigma. The eyes are distinctly divided in 2
by the antenne, the larger division being inferior. This is considered
a generic character, and I accordingly propose the name OpEeRopa,
from 26%, waco, and w), a rather obscure etymology, but which is
VOL. Iv.—3 D
374
chosen from its similarity to OBnREA. It is so seldom that the ety-
mology is expressive, that I seldom give it, considering that generic
names should be used as proper names, as in the case of Cicindela,
Lamia, é&c.
204. Amphyonycha marginata F. Hab. Georgia. Syn. Saperda
flammata Nn.
205. Distenia undata F. Hab. New York, Penna. and Georgia.
It has a disagreeable scent when recent.
208-9. The Genus Ruamnustum was inserted doubtfully on the
strength of Dr. Harris’s comparison of his insect with the European
Rhamnusium. Having recently seen his specimen, I find it identical
with ‘Toxotus rubidus; it will accordingly be called Toxotus decolora-
tus Harris. It has been found at Niagara.
213. Toxotus cylindricollis S. Probably dives of Newman.
215. Toxotus esculi = cinnamoptera Randall (Leptura), Bost. J.
2,45. Mass. Car.
225-6. These are identical, but the true Pachyta leonardii, re-
cently shown to me by Dr. Harris, is my No. 259 Leptura mala-
chiticus.
232. Var. solitaria, hab. Alab. Missouri. For confluenta read
confluens.
238. S. zebrata (7). S. aurigera Nm. seems to be a synonym of
this species, rather than of S. velutina. The zebrata noticed by me
seems not to be that of Fabricius, whose description requires black
antenne, which would associate it with zebra.
241. S. velutina. Pa. July. A variety occurs in which the elytra
are of a uniform reddish colour, clothed with yellowish sericeous.
North-west Illinois. 242. S. fugax is probably the male.
243. S. luridipennis is identical with mutabilis Nm.
255. For cinnamoptera read erythroptera K6. as the erythroptera
of Zenker was published in Germar’s Species, in 1825, whilst Say’s
rubrica (No. 256) was published in 1824, and must consequently
take precedence.
259. L. malachiticus, of which my cyaneus, (Proced. Acad. Nat.
Sc. 3,151,) is a variety. It, with L. vagans, comes better under
Pachyta.
272. Leptura semivittata seems to be vittata No. 261.
277. L. proteus. Omit biforis.
281. Anoplodera 4 vittata, var. pallida, is Newman’s directa.
285. Prionus fissicornis Hald. Proceed. A. N. S. 3,125.
286. Sphenostethus serripennis Hald. id., 126. Alluded to but
379
not described by Westwood (Arcana ent. 1,40) as Hoplopieryx den-
ticulatus. He gives no locality.
287. Sclerocerus muticus | Dej. Cat.
288. Molorchus tenuipes Hald. id. 3,126. I propose to separate
this as a distinct genus to be named Tessaropa. The facies and
antenne are as in Molorchus, but the head is more vertical, the eyes
divided, the inferior division the largest, oval, and prominent ; pro-
thorax simple, cylindric; feet short and slender; femora not clavate.
The body and antenne are pilose, the latter longer than the body.
T. tenuipes is black, punctate scabrous, with the base of the elytra
fulvous, and the hairs of the antenne nearly erect. It is somewhat
smaller than the next species, and like it, the wings are not folded.
289. Tessaropa ventralis. Black, punctate-scabrous, abdomen
fulvous, femora sometimes fulvous. 3 lines, or 4 to the apex of the
wings.
290. Eburia distincta Hald. Proceed. Acad. Nat. Sc. 3,150.
291. Elaphidion simplicicollis Hald. (Enaphalodes) ib. 151.
292. Strangalia strigosa Newman.
293. Leptura badia Nm. 294. L. nobilis Nm. 295. L. sinuata
Nm. 296. L. indirecta Nm.
297. L. stictica Nm. 298. L. vibex Nm. 299. L. allecta Nm.
300. L. exigua Nm.
301. L. hematites Nm. 302. L. nana Nm. 303. (2117) L.
vittigera Rand. Bost. J. 2,29. 304. L. semimarginata Rand. ib.
2,30. 305. L. plebeia Rand. 2,28. 306. L. monticola Rand. 2,27.
307. Lamia marmorata Randall. Bost. J. 2,26.
308. Lamia sexguttata Say. J. Acad. Nat. Sc. 3,269.
309. Saperda trigeminata Rand. Bost. J. 2,43.
310. Saperda cretata Nm. Ent. Mag. 5,395.
311. Obrium rubrum Nm. = rufulum?
312. Callidium antennatum Nm. 313. C. ereum Nm. Ent.
Mag. 5,393. 314. Curius scambus Wm.
315. Thia pusilla Nm. 316. Spacalopsis stolata Nm.
317. S. suffusa Nm.
318. Elaphidion irroratum F. Omitted as a West Indian species,
but it has occurred several times in the United States, and as far
north as New York, taken by Mr. Calverly.
319. Elaphidion njumanii Hald. E. bidens || Nm. The Fabritsian
bidens must have 2 spines to each articulation of the antenne, whilst
that of Newman has but 1.
376
320. Elaphidion arctum Nm. 321. E. pumilum Nm. 322. E.
deflendum Nm.
323. Encyclops ceruleus Say (Leptura), J. Acad. Nat. Sc. 5,280.
Encyctors Nm. pallipes Nm. Ent. Mag. 5,392. ‘This genus seems
more nearly ailied to Motorcuus than to Leprura.
Adjourned Meeting, November 9.
Present, thirty-one members.
Dr. Cuoarpman, President, in the Chair.
The special business of the meeting was transacted
Stated Meeting, December 17.
Present, twenty members.
Dr. Bacue, Vice-President, in the Chair.
Letters were received and read:—
From the Ethnological Society of Paris, dated 25th August,
1847, announcing a donation to this Society; and a desire that
they should receive in return the publications of this Society:
and,—
From Mr. W. D. Lewis, dated Philadelphia, 17th Decem-
ber, 1847, on matters connected with his claim against the
Society.
The following donations were announced :—
FOR THE LIBRARY.
Journal Asiatique, ou Recueil de Mémoires, d’Extraits et de Notices
relatifs 4 Histoire, a la Philosophie, etc. des Peuples Orientaux.
Quatriéme Série. Juin, 1847. No. 45. Tome IX. Juillet,
Aoit. Nos. 46 et 47. Tome X. 8vo.—From the Society.
Mémoires de la Société Ethnologique. ‘Tome premier, en deux par-
ties, 1841. ‘Tome Second, en deux parties, 1845. 8vo.—From
the same.
377
Bulletin de la Société Ethnologique de Paris. ‘Tome premier, Année
1846. Année 1847. Janvier A Mars. 8vo.—From the Ethno-
logical Society of Paris.
Summary of the Transactions of the College of Physicians of Phila-
delphia. From June to November, 1847, inclusive. Vol. II.
No. 3. 8vo.—From the College.
Journal of the Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania. Vol.
XLIV. No. 264. Third Series. Vol. XIV. December, 1847.
No. 6. 8vo.—From the Institute.
Proceedings of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Vol. I.
February, No.9. March, No. 10. September, No.12. 1847.
8vo.—From the Society.
Fisher’s National Magazine and Industrial Record. Published by
Reawood Fisher, New York. Vol. I. June to November, 1845.
Vol. Il. December, 1845, to May, 1846. Vol. HI. June to
November, 1846.—From Thomas Gilpin, Esq.
Females and their Diseases; a Series of Letters to his Class. By
Charles D. Meigs, M.D. Philadelphia, 1848. 8vo.—From the
Author.
Memoir of Francis Baily, Esq., D.C.L. Oxford and Dublin, Presi-
dent of the Royal Astronomical Society, &c. &c. By Sir John
F. W. Herschel, Bart. Svo. Accompanied with a Portrait, en-
graved by Thomas Lupton, from the original painting, by Thos.
Phillips, R.A., of Mr. Baily.—From the Rev. R. Sheepshanks.
A Brief Notice of the Life, Researches, and Discoveries of F. W.
Bessel. By Sir J. F. W. Herschel. 8vo.—/rom the same.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY BY PURCHASE.
Annales de Chimie et de Physique. Par MM. Gay-Lussac, Arago,
Chevreul, etc. Troisitme Série. Tome XXI. Septembre,
Octobre, 1847. 8vo.
Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l’Académie des
Sciences. Tome XXV. Nos. 5 a 16. 2 Aotit, 18 Octobre,
1847. Ato.
On motion of Dr. Patterson, the Committee on the Solar
Eclipse, appointed at the meeting of the 6th December, 1844,
was discharged.
Judge Kane announced the death of Chancellor James Kent,
of New York, a member of this Society, who died on the 12th
instant, at the age of 85; when on motion of Mr. G. W. Smith,
318
Judge Kane was appointed to prepare an obituary notice of
Chancellor Kent.
Professor Kendall presented a communication from Mr.
Walker, containing new elements for the planet Neptune.
Prof. Kendall communicated the following elliptic elements of the
planet Neptune, derived by Mr. S. C. Walker from a discussion of
689 observations, including those made by Lalande in 1795.
Long. of perihelion, w= 48 2i 293 2 Mean Equinox of Jan.
a ascending node, Q=130 4 35.03 Ist, 1847.
Inclination, j= 11) 46 159.54
Eccentricity, e = 0.00857741
f= 21.55448
M = 328° 31’ 56”.36 Mean noon, Greenwich.
T = 164.6181 Tropical years.
Mean daily sidereal motion,
Epoch, January Ist, 1847,
Period,
The heliocentric co-ordinates for the mean equinox of January 1,
1847, are,—
# = [9.998769]. r. sin (v + 138 21 52°13)
y = [9.9662265]. r. sin (ov + 48 55 27.32)
z = [9.500962]. r. sin(w-+ 45 2 37.90)
The four normal places used as the basis of these computations are
given below, corrected for parallax, and refraction, but not for plane-
tary aberration. ‘They are referred to the mean equinox above
mentioned. ‘The perturbations of Nepttine by all the other planets,
were computed by Prof. Peirce, and have been applied to the elliptic
places.
1847 1847
April 64.0
1795 1846
Mean time, Greenwich.
May 9d.45256 | Nov. 74.0 Aug. 22d.0
Computed Geo. R.A. 1
913 39 3418) 327 49 5024
913 39 3232] 327 49.53.16
331 49 45.65] 331 19 13-71
Obs. Geo. R. A., A
5 Dec., D)/—11 34 36.21|—13 34 21.65|—12 9 17.82/12 24 7.55
True elliptic long., | 215 48 12.73] 327 13 58.37) 328 8 0.93) 328 57 44.75
Perturbations, dv) 37.60|-+ 32.10)-F 31.29/-+ 29.49
True ell. Rad. Vec., 7| 30.28772 29.99441 29.99042 29.98677
Perturbations, dr|+ 0.01207 |-+ 0.01608 |-+ 0.01497 |-+ 0.01493
331 49 44'89] 331 19 13.95
< Dec. D'|—11 34 34.89/13 34 20.4212 9 20.47|12 24 7.56
Corr. Eph, A—A'\+ 1.86|— 9.92 + 0.83|\— 0.24
be iD 132|— 13a 2.65|+- 0.01
Professor Tucker read a paper on “the Association of Ideas,’’
in which, in conformity with his lectures formerly delivered
379
in the University of Virginia, he maintained that all the phe-
nomena of mental association were to be explained by that law,
both of body and mind, by which each has a tendency to re-
peat its former acts; and that it is a necessary result of this
law that proximity of time or place, resemblance, and contrast,
are the principles of connexion between conjoined ideas.
Professor Tucker further remarked, that there appeared to
be some coincidence between his views of association and those
of Sir William Hamilton in his recent edition of Reid’s works,
but the latter part of the note on this subject being omitted,
by the carelessness of the binder, in the copy he had seen, the
only one he believed in the city, he could not yet say how far
Professor Hamilton’s theory of association agreed with his
own, and how far they differed.
The Committee of Finance, by Mr. C. C. Biddle, made their
annual report.
ERRATUM.
In the Proceedings, Vol. IV., No. 35, p. 269, the final character of the
Wyandot numeral for five, should be inverted.
sin tats avi ag ,' shvvinynd
eh anno f Bey i: ‘qollal some Tad
faba he Sito HEA
1B bdvasute ie ae” “Bey Sf
ea ie oe HOSEA
mod AS Iq ¥
d te ancien ‘Tap ody
un ee eae it
OF TRO Hla ebay yi
ates
mip wis
iiare
Ter et
Pag re
nan
u (as 3 “ae
is
INDEX.
Alexander, Prof. 8., contributions to
astronomical science, 216—on Biela’s
comet, 241.
Allen, Mr. T., on gas-wells of Kanawha,
366.
Antares, a double star, 202, 277.
Apparatus for measuring base lines, 368.
Appropriations, 30, 130, 222.
Association of ideas, 379.
Astronomical science, contributions to,
216.
Atheneum, proposition for new build-
ing, 142.
Athenian Institute, letter from, 254.
Aurora borealis, 370.
Automaton speaking machine, 83.
Azimuths, determination of, by Mr.
Nulty, 234, 241.
Bache, Prof. A. D., observations for
magnetic dip, 11—observations of
meteors, 25—report on coast survey,
141—on standard weights and mea-
sures, 159—on progress of coast sur-
vey, 237—description of base appa-
ratus, 368.
Bache, Dr., resolutions on death of Mr.
Du Ponceau, 51.
Bache, Major, map of Sandy Hook, 168.
Basilosauras, Prof. Miller on bones of,
338.
Bessel, M., on motions of Procyon and
Sirius, 112.
Bethune, Dr., on ethnology, 358.
Biela comets, observations on, by Mr.
Walker, 235, 241.
Biddle, Col., thanks to, for Encyclo-
pedia Britannica, 111.
Bloomfield, Jos. E., articles returned to
representative, 256, 274.
Bourne, C. O., mathematical tables,
Ox.
Boyé, Dr., presents true nitric ether,
215—analysis of concretion from
horse’s stomach, 230—brown hema-
tite ore, 233—mineral specimens, 247
—reports on fixed mercury, 335.
Bridges, Dr., affinity of metals, 92.
3 E
Calendar, perpetual, by Mr. M‘Ilvaine,
192, 207, 344.
Cannon, bursting of, by Capt. Stockton,
221.
Capillarity, Prof. Henry on, 176.
Centennial celebration, expenses, 96.
Chapman, Dr., resigns as vice-presi-
dent, 137.
Clitoris, diseases of, by Dr. Meigs, 129.
Coast survey, first report on, 141.
Coates, Dr., on bones of head-fish, 11.
Coin, from marl pit, i173.
Cohesion, Prof. Henry on, 56, 84.
Combustion, spontaneous, of coal, 25.
Comets, Mr. Walker and Prof. Kendall
on, 20, 58, 160, 202.
— elements of, from Prof. Riimker,
86.
computations of Mauvais’, 67—of
Leverrier, 286.
Committees, standing, appointed, 39,
137, 232, 302.
Committee of finance, report, 92, 130,
222, 248, 285, 379.
—— discharged from subject of taxes
on Museum property, 187.
—— historical and literary, communi-
cations referred, 22.
on publication, report, 8, 29, 56,
122, 219, 26, 302, 371.
on hall, lease of rooms, 337.
Committees, special,—
on hundredth anniversary, report
of proceedings, 4.
on Prof. Henry’s resolution, 4.
on Mr. Lea’s paper on fresh water
shells, 8.
on Prof. Loomis’ account of two
storms, 12, 17.
on instruments of astronomical ob-
servatory at West Point, 13, 19.
on Prof. Bartlett’s observations on
comet of Feb. 1843, 13.
on Mr. Lea’s communication on
fossil shells, 13, 16.
— on Booth and Boyé’s paper on hip-
puric acid, 16, 20.
382
on Prof. Alexander’s communica-
tion on solar eclipses, 16, 19.
—— on report of the Society’s doings
during the past century, 16, 17,
23.
on Mr. Taylor’s communications
on geology of Cuba, and fossil
ferns of Pennsylvania, 17, 19.
on Dr. Morton’s ethnographic cha-
racter of the ancient Egyptians,
D)
on Prof. Henry’s researches on
electro-dynamic induction, 23,
152.
on erection of an observatory, re-
port finally, 29.
—— on Museum property, report final-
ly, 29.
to revise laws and regulations of
the Society, 36.
on Prof. Locke’s communication
on terrestrial magnetism, 64, 81,
102, 109.
on Major Graham’s observations
on magnetic dip, 98, 112, 205, 229.
on arrangements for discourse on
late President of Society, 102,
110, 114.
— on Mr. Haldeman’s observations
on phonology, 109, 162.
on Prof. Loomis’ astronomical ob-
servations, 112, 116.
on Mr. Nulty’s paper on the magic
cyclovolute, 117.
on Provost Ewing’s paper on ma-
gic squares, 117.
on Dr. Bond's case of spina bifida,
Wee
on solar eclipse of December 9,
123, 126.
on Mr. Leavyitt’s tables of the
moon’s rising and setting, 126.
on Major Graham’s paper on the
dip of the magnetic needle, 136,
227, 249, 252.
on §8.S. Haldeman’s paper on col-
eoptera longicornia, 137, 149.
on proposition of the Atheneum
to erect new building, 142, 146.
— on Prof. Gillis’ paper, discharged,
149.
— on Mr. Lea’s paper on fresh water
and land shells, 158, 162.
on account presented by executors
of Nathan Dunn, 169, 196, 219,
232, 244.
on claim of W. D. Lewis, 181.
on application to purchase Socie-
ty’s property, 181, 183.
several discharged, 186.
on Mr. M‘Ilvaine’s perpetual ca-
lendar, 186.
—— on legal proceedings against the
Society, 189.
INDEX.
on communication of Mr. Borden,
discharged. 200.
on by-laws and regulations, report,
210, 219, 222.
on manuscripts of the Society, dis-
charged, 214.
— on Mr. Parker’s claim, discharged,
222.
on removing skeleton of elephant,
discharged, 222.
on letter from Am, Acad. Arts and
Sciences, 237, 238, 243.
on Miss Reynold’s communication
on two distinct states of con-
sciousness, 258.
on Capt. Stockton’s experiments
on gunnery, 259, 273.
—— on letter from Hist. Society, N.Y.
269.
—— on by-laws relating to nomination
of members, 274, 324.
on Prof. Norton’s new theory of
imponderables, 296, 332.
on loss of packet ship Thomas P.
Cope, 300.
on Dr. Meigs’ paper on corpus lu-
teum, 302.
on communication from Mr. Walk-
er, concerning place of planet
Leverrier, 305, 324.
on Prof. Tucker’s essay on cause
and effect, 311, 330.
— on Dr. Meigs’ paper upon gesta-
tion of didelphis virginiana, 321,
20”
on communication of W. D. Lew-
is, 344.
—— on Mr. Tilghman’s paper on the
decomposing power of water at
high temperatures, 347, 333.
on singing mouse, 3538.
on method of determining sun’s
parallax, 361.
on solar eclipse discharged, 377.
Concretion from stomach of horse, 230.
Corpuscular hypothesis, Prof. Henry,
287.
Corpus luteum, Dr. Meigs on, 305.
Correspondence (See Letters.)
Cotton, explosive, Prof. Frazer, 294.
Cresson, Prof. J. C., defective vision,
81—on demolition of shot tower,
235.
Curators to receive standards of mea-
sure, 202, 222.
Declaration of Independence, MSS. co-
py, 861, 362.
Diamond from Georgia, 211, 240.
Didelphis virginiana, reproduction of,
by Dr. Meigs, 327, 363.
Dollars from ancient wreck, 200.
Donations for the Library, 1, 4, 6, 9,
14, 18, 21, 24, 26, 29, 32, 37, 41, 44,
INDEX.
45, 48, 55, 61, 69, 82, 90, 94, 96, 100,
103, 105, 107, 111, 115, 123, 134, 136,
139, 143, 147, 149, 151, 154, 157, 161,
170, 181, 184, 190, 197, 198, 203, 210,
214, 220. 226, 228, 233, 237, 240, 242,
245, 248, 251, 253, 256, 271, 275, 278,
282, 284, 286, 291, 295, 297, 300, 301,
303, 307, 309, 320, 323, 324, 331, 336,
337, 342, 345, 351, 356, 358, 360, 362,
364, 376.
Donations for the Cabinet, 3, 16, 21, 35,
49, 135, 186, 294, 338.
Dunglison, Dr., reappointed cor. sec.
and rep., 36, 145—appointed orator on
death of President of Society, 51,—
reads supplement to will of Mr. Du
Ponceau, 65.
Du Ponceau, P. S. will of, 60, 65—
books bequeathed to Society, 69, 108.
Eckfeldt, Mr., on specimen said to be
“fixed mercury,” 187.
Election of officers, 133, 225, 299.
Electrical experiments, Prof. Henry,
208.
Emerson, Dr., on mortality of children,
212—on late meteor, 274.
Ertel merid. circle, observ’n with, 113.
Ethnology, Dr. Bethune on, 358.
Faraday, exp. on condensation of gases,
151.
Franklin, permission to copy bust of,
169—letter from, to Dr. Kinnersley,
279.
Frazer, Prof., on tornado, 12—appointed
reporter, 146—on explosive cotton,
4.
Gas-wells of Kanawha, 366.
Gilpin, Thos., on organic remains, 27—
on representation of minorities, 81.
Glass, for optical purposes, 277—im-
provement in, for telescopes, 99.
Gold, grain of, Dr. Patterson, 153, 155.
Graham, Major, on magnetic dip, 205.
Griffith, Dr. thanks of Society to, 142.
Gum elastic goods, Mr. Peale, 221.
Haldeman, 8. 8., on coleoptera longi-
cornia, 137, 149—spectra on moon’s
disk, 239—phonology of Wyandots,
269—e xhibits spider, 356--engravings
of shells, 357—corrections and addi-
tions to paper on longicornia, 371.
Hall, Harrison, presents autograph let-
ter of Dr. Maskelyne, 98.
Hare, Dr., apparatus for analysis, 3—
use of mica, 114—electric conduction,
114—resolutions offered by, 131.
Hart, Prof., transit instrument at High
School, 92.
Hays, Dr., spontaneous combustion of
coal, 25—piece of iron from eye of
J
383
man, 25—-on mastodon and other
bones, 43—defective vision, 81—re-
signs as curator, 135—mastodon ske-
letons, 269.
Head-fish, Dr. Coates, 11.
Heckewelder, portrait loaned, 245.
Henry, Prof., on thermo-electrical ap-
paratus, 22—on discharge of leyden
jar, 22—cohesion, 56, 84—mechanical
power, 127—spots on sun, 173—capil-
larity, 176-—protection from lightning,
179--results of electrical experiments,
208—paper by Capt. Stockton, 221—
polarization of light, 227, 229—report
on telegraphic wires struck by light-
ning, 260—investigations in physical
science, 285—corpuscular hypothesis,
287—aurora borealis, 370.
Hydro-electrical machine, 197.
India, trigonometrical survey of, 187.
Ingham, 8. D., telegraphic wires struck
by lightning, 259.
Instruments loaned by Mr. Vaughan to
Mr. Hassler, 30, 187.
Justice, Mr., telescopes, 126—plans for
observatory buildings, 209—magnetic
experiments, 218, 222.
Kane, Mr. announces printing of Dr.
Patterson’s discourse, 12.
Kendall, Prof., observations at High
School, 113—on Encké’s comet, 202,
new comet, 242—solar eclipse, 253.
Laws, amendment of, 335, 361, 363.
Lea, Mr., new fresh water shells, 8—
fresh water and land shells, 162.
Lens, loaned to Mr. Walker, 130.
Legislature, memorial to, 320, 321—act
of, 321.
LETTERS from SOCIETIES, &c.,
foreign.
Academy of Sciences, Turin, 13.
Asiatic Society of Bengal, 30.
Batavian Soc. of Exp. Philosophers,
135.
Botanical Soc., London, 67, 250.
British Association, &6.
Central Comm. of Statistics, Bel-
gium, 203, 275.
Electrical Society, 40.
Ethnological Soc. Lond., 139.
Ethnological Society of Paris, 376.
Geographical Soc. Lond., 105.
Geological Soc. Lond., 32, 45,170,
250, 341.
Geographical Soc. Paris, 9.
Holland Soe. of Sci. Harlem, 184.
Horticultural Soc. Lond., 96, 103,
250.
Imperial Society of Naturalists,
Moscow, 86, 233.
384
Institute of France, 40, 143.
Linnean Soc. Lond., 40, 45, 96,
138, 181, 189, 255.
Literary and Phil. Soc. of Man-
chester, 37, 286, 335, 356.
Lit. and Hist. Soc. of Quebec, 4.
Meteorological Soc. of G. Britain,
40.
Museum of Nat. Hist. Paris, 4, 32,
157.
Nat. Hist. Soc. Newcastle, 48.
Royal Acad. Sci. Paris, 4.
Royal Acad. Sci. Berlin, 32, 135,
291, 364.
Royal Acad. Sci. Copenhagen, 32.
Royal Acad. Sci. and Belles-Let-
tres, Brussels, 40, 143, 362.
Royal Acad. Sci. Stockholm, 250,
320.
Royal Acad. Sci. France, 300.
Royal Asiatic Soc. 40, 45, 153, 189,
250, 341.
Royal Astronomical Society, 45.
Royal Geographical Soc. Lond.,
59, 281, 345.
Royal Institution of Lond., 250.
Royal Institute of Netherlands,
227, 255, 275, 296, 330, 345, 364.
Royal Lombardy Institute, 291,
Royal Bavarian Acad. Sci. Munich,
82, 341,351.
Royal Prussian Acad. Sci., 214.
he Polytechnic Union, Lond.,
Royal Society, Lond , 198.
Royal Soc. Antiq. of North. »9, 147.
Royal Soe. of Antiquaries, 29, 45,
134, 153, 245.
Royal Soc. of Agr. and Arts, Lille,
40, 220.
Royal Soe. of Sci. Holland, 170.
Royal Soc.of Sci. Copenhagen, 184
235.
Royal Soe. of Sci. Upsal, 210.
Royal Soc. of Sci. Géttingen, 21.
Statistical Soc. Lond., 138.
Society of Nat. Hist. in Mauritius,
233.
Zoological Soc. Lond., 1, 13, 96,
134, 138, 226.
?
LETTERS from SOCIETIES, &c.,
domestic.
Am. Acad. Arts and Sci. Boston,
59, 233, 275.
Am. Colz. Soc., 147.
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 4, 93, 107,
123, 138.
Ass. Am. Geol. and Nat., 255
Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., 149.
Bowditch Library, 24, 103, 157,
309, 336, 337.
Brown University, 18.
Cincinnati Soc. Phila., 106.
Connecticut Hist. Soc., 93, 138.
INDEX.
Franklin Institute, 250.
Harvard University, president of,
26.
Law Academy, Phila., 107, 143.
Lyceum of Nat. Hist. N. Y., 275.
Mass. Hist. Soc., 86.
Museum Co. Phila., 40.
Nantucket Atheneum, 284.
N. J. Hist. Soc., 281, 309.
N.Y. Hist. Soc., 82, 104, 110, 138,
170, 240, 248, 255.
Nat. Inst. Washington, 93.
University of Cambtidge, Mass.,
90, 106, 250, 331, 341, 360.
University of N. Nis 170, 220, 291,
341.
Western Univ. of Penn., 300.
LETTERS from INDIVIDUALS.
Alexander, J. H., 1, 138.
Aspinwall, Mr., U. S. Con. Lond.,
40, 45.
Arago, M., 44.
Andrews, W. W., 9.
Abrahamson, Col. Von, 9.
Alexander, Prof., 112, 226.
Angelis, Pierre de, 161, 243, 281,
323
Abert, Col., 214, 248, 271.
Baber, Ambrose, 6.
Bridges, Dr. Robt., 40.
Butler, Hon. B. F., 44.
Bancroft, George, 360.
Beck, T. Romeyn, 93.
Bujalsky, Prof., 115.
Bache, Prof. A. D., 67, 115, 135,
18], 226, 309, 345.
Bartlett, Prof., 134.
Beck, Dr. C. F., 138.
Baena, A. L. M., 161, 303.
Beck, Dr., of Albany, 190, 198.
Bessel, Prof., friends of, 256.
Brown, John P., 309.
Callison, Dr., 37.
Cancrine, Count, 43, 105.
Canino and Musignano, Prince of,
184, 271.
Carpenter, Dr. W. B. , 226.
Cook, John, 242.
Clark, Sir James, 250.
Chauncey, Mr., 273.
Dillingham, W. H., 9.
Denny, Henry, 32.
Draper, Dr. J. W., 40.
Dunglison, Dr., 61.
Ducatel, Dr., 203.
Eichthal, Gustave de, 93, 203.
Francis, Dr., 43.
Freman, D. C., 90.
Fraley, F., 203.
Frazer, Prof., 228.
Gilmor, Robt., 1.
Gibbs, John W., 1.
Gallatin Albert, 1.
Graham Major, 53.
INDEX.
Saale da Hemso, Count Jacob,
cho Dr. Asa, 105, 282.
Haldeman, 8. 8., 18, 67, 147.
Hopkinson, Francis, a1.)
Hart, Prof., 40.
Hughes, Bishop, 143.
Holland, Dr., 250.
Ingersoll, @.J., 82:
Ingersoll, J. R., 147.
Irwin, Mr. W. W.., 184,
Jardine, Sir Wm., 26, 54, 226.
Kupffer, A. T., 203.
Ladoucette, Baron, 4, 82.
Lewis, W. D., 342, 376.
Locke, Prof., 43, 100.
Librarian of Congress, 60.
Leavitt, Dudley, 123.
Le Sueur, C. A., 153.
Mower, Dr. T. G.,, 43.
Maximilian, Prince of Wied, 86,
291.
Maskelyne, Dr. N., 98.
Maxwell, J. B., 118.
Minister of France, 147.
Minister, American, at Lond., 153.
Minister of Finance of Russia, 203.
M‘Ilvaine, Henry, 256.
Muller, John, 275.
Morton, Dr. 8. G., 286.
M'Ilvaine, W., 342.
Norton, Prof., 40.
Newman, E., 40, 99.
Nirnberger, Dr. J. E., 320, 357.
Ombrosi, James, 9.
Osgood & Co., N. Y., 345.
Owen, Richard, 170.
Potter, Rev. Alonzo, 1.
Perry, Prof., 123.
Patterson, Dr. R. M., 135.
Price, Eli K., 139.
Purgstall, Baron Von Hammer,
233, 256, 356.
Pickering, John, family of, 256.
Plumbe, John, 295.
Procter, Wm., Jr., 331.
Quetelet, M., 40, 86.
Reed, Prof. Henry, 345,
Reynolds, James, 14.
Redfield, Mr., 40.
Rally, Wm. B., 26.
Riimker, Prof., 86.
Reinwardt, Prof., 134.
Rogers, Prof. J. H., 250.
Rolando, N. P., 291.
Santangelo, O. A. de, 6, 32.
Savi, Dr. Pierre, ae.
Smith, Wm. P.,
Silliman, B., rf i. 32.
Story, Judge, 40.
Strong, Prof. T., 40.
Sartori, J. B. 48, 184, 188, 226, 301.
Sec. of ‘Commonwealth of Mass. 59.
Stoughton, F., 93.
385
Sec. of State, 99, 219.
Sec. Commonwealth of Mass., 345.
Schumacher, Prof., 141.
Seldener, Richard, 143.
Trautwine, J.C., 40.
Taney, Chief Justice, 48.
Tilghman, R. A., 345.
Totten, Col. J. G., 99, 203, 228.
Thornton, Mrs. A. M., 135,
Upshur, Hon. A. P., 13.
Von Raumer, Prof., 170.
Wheelwright, Mr. W., 40.
Walker, Chas. N., 60.
Wagner, Mr., of York, Eng., 106.
Wilkes, Lieut. Chas., 170.
Wood, Dr., 214.
Ward, Townsend, 245.
Watson, John F., 296.
Zantedeschi, Sig. F., 151.
Leyden jar, discharge of, Prof. Henry,
ee
Leverrier, perturbations of Uranus, 281.
Librarian, delivers log book of steam-
ship, 123—to perform certain duties,
214—report, 302.
Lightning, protection from, 179—tele-
graphic wires struck by, 259, 260.
Lightning rods, 102.
Locke, Dr., on magnetic observations,
23—results of four magnetic tours,
29—on terrestrial magnetism, 63, 102,
109— phenomena of terrestrial mag-
netism, 268.
Longicornia, corrections and additions
to Prof. Haldeman’s paper on, 371.
Magellanic premium, communication
for, 220, 273, 294.
Magnesia, sulphate of, from Saltzburg,
Pa., 247.
Magic cyclovolute, by Mr. Nulty, 125.
Magnetic dip, Prof. Bache, 11—Major
Graham, 205.
Magnetic observations, Dr. Locke, 23.
Magnetic tours, results of Dr. Locke, 29.
Magnetic experiments, Mr. Justice, 218.
Mammoth cave, fish and stalactites
from, 106.
Maps, lent to Mr. Gallatin, 30.
Mastodon, notice of bones, by S. H.
Whipple, 35—bones in New Jersey,
118, 127—head of, delivered to Uni-
versity of Penn., 181—skeletons, 269.
Mechanical power, Prof. Henry, 127.
Meigs, Dr., on diseases of clitoris, 129—
corpus luteum, 298, 305—on’ repro-
duction of didelphis ‘virginiana, 327.
Members, list of surviving, read, 142,
232, 302.
Members elected,—
Alexander, Prof. J. A., 138.
Beck, Dr. C. F., 138.
Bridges, Dr. Robert, 39.
Buchanan, Hon. James, 282.
386
Butler, Benj. F., 39.
Cancrine, Count, 6.
Carpenter, Dr. W. B., 202.
Carson, Dr. Joseph, 66.
Clark, Sir James, 138.
Copland, Dr. James, 138.
Dillingham, W. H., 6.
Downes, John, 6.
Draper, Dr. J. W., 39.
Dubois, Wm. E., 39.
Eckfeldt, Jacob J., 39.
Elwyn, Dr. A. L., 39.
Francis, Dr., 39.
Grimaldi, Ceva, 285.
Haldeman, S. S., 66.
Hart, John S., 39.
Holland, Dr. Henry, 232.
Jardine, Sir William, 202.
Julien, M. Stanislaus, 6.
Kupffer, M. A. T., 330.
Lepsius, Prof. R., 202
Leverrier, U. J., 330.
Locke, Prof. John, 39.
Mason, J. Y., 330.
Maximilian, Prince of Wied, 138.
Miller, Edward, 156.
Mower, Dr. G.T., 39.
Muller, Prof. John, 232.
M‘Culloch, Richard L., 285.
Norris, Dr. G. W., 66.
Norton, Prof. W. A., 39.
Owen, Richard, F. R.§., 138.
Potter, Rev. Alonzo, 39.
Poussin, Major W. T., 133.
Procter, William, Jr., 330.
Redfield, W. C., 39.
Rogers, Prof. James H., 249.
Story, Judge Joseph, 39.
Strong, Prof. Theodore, 39.
Taney, R. B., Chief Justice, 39.
Tilghman, Richard A., 330.
Trautwine, John C., 39.
Von Raumer, Frederick, 138.
Waln, Lewis, 249.
Members, new, presented, 8, 13, 39, 43,
67, 1383, 138, 157, 219, 248, 251, 285,
341, 35l.
Members, death of, announced—
Adrain, Robert, LL.D., 8.
Burrough, Dr. Marmaduke, 44.
Biddle, Nicholas, 47.
Baldwin, Judge, 81.
Bonaparte, Joseph, Count Survil-
liers, 102.
Beasley, Rev. Dr., 208.
Bessel, Prof. T. W., 252.
Chew, Benjamin, 81.
Cloud, Joseph, 186.
Conyngham, Redmond, 258.
Du Ponceau, P. S., president of
Soc., 51.
Dunn, Nathan, 110.
Everett, Alexander, 363.
Gaston, Judge, 43.
INDEX.
Guillemand, John, 168.
Gummere, Prof. J., 173.
Harlan, Dr. Richard, 20.
Hassler, Ferd. Rudolph, 27.
Humphreys, Saml., 277.
Jacobs, Dr. William, 104.
Kent, James, Chancellor, 377.
Legare, Hon. Hugh S., 6.
Lukens, Isaiah, 294.
Meredith, William, 194.
Martini, Lorenzo, 156.
Mease, Dr. James, 254.
Navarreto, Don M. F. de, 294.
Nicollet, J. N., 11.
Otto, Dr. John C., 95.
Penn, Granville, 137.
Pickering, John, 254.
Reed, Joseph, 241.
Ross, James, 371.
Sanderson, Prof., 56.
Story, Hon. Joseph, 196.
Smith, Samuel H., 208.
Thompson, Prof., 344.
Trumbull, Col. John, 25.
Vail, Eugene A., 3.
Webster, Noah, 3.
Wallenstein, Jules de, 142.
Warden, David B., 202.
Metals, affinity of, 92—amalgamation
of, 95.
Meteors, observations of, 25.
Mica, use of, by Dr. Hare, 114.
Miner, Charles, on Rocky Mountain
swallow, 186.
Mitchell, Prof., on positions of satellite
of Neptune, 363.
Mortality of children, Dr. Emerson, 211.
Mouse, singing, 356, 358.
Miller, Prof., on bones of basilosaurus,
339.
Museum property to be delivered to
Mr Parker, 3.
M‘Culloh, Mr., application of polarized
light to chemical analysis, 349.
M‘Euen, C., revolving table and curves
of temperature, 201. ~
M‘Ilvaine, Mr., perpetual calendar, 192,
297, 344. .
Nails, mass of, from fire at Pittsburg,
173.
Neptune, planet, identity with Lalande
star, 339.
Nitric ether, presented by Dr. Boyé, 215.
Nulty, Mr., magic cyclovolute, 125—
azimuths, 234, 241.
Obituary notices directed of,—
Adrain, Robert, LL D., 8.
Baldwin, Judge, 81.
Beasley, Rev. Dr., 211.
Bessel, Prof., 252.
Bonaparte, Joseph, 102.
Burrough, Dr. Marmaduke, 44.
INDEX.
Chew, Benjamin, 81.
Cloud, Joseph, 186.
Conyngham, Redmond, 258.
Dunn, Nathan, 110.
Gaston, Judge, 44.
Gummere, Prof., 173...
Humphreys, Saml., 277.
Jacobs, Dr. William, 104.
Keating, Wm. H.,, 158.
Kent, Chancellor, 378.
Lukens, Isaiah, 294.
Mease, Dr. James, 254.
Nicollet, J. N., 11.
Penn, Granville, 157.
Sanderson, Prof., 56.
Story, Hon. Joseph, 196.
Thompson, Prof., 344.
Warden, David B., 208.
Obituary notices delivered by,—
Mr. Dillingham on Judge Gaston,
1 49.
Prof. Hart on Prof. John Sander-
son, 62.
Dr. Horner on Dr. W. 8S. Jacobs,
173.
Dr. Patterson on J. Gummere,
215.
Mr. Lea on Mathew Carey, 249.
Col. Abert on Mr. Nicollet, 273.
Bishop Potter on Redmond Co-
nyngham, 296.
Obituary notices, gentlemen excused
from preparing, 155, 173, 200, 208,
307.
Observatory buildings, plans for, by
Mr. Justice, 209.
Ocular spectra, Dr. Coates, 239.
Officers and council, report, 254, 294
Ord, Mr., re-elected Librarian, 38, 137,
232, 302—offers resolution, 274.
Ore, brown hematite, Dr. Boyé, 238.
Organic remains, Mr. T. Gilpin, 27.
Owen, Richard, remarks upon Doctor
Meigs’ paper on didelphis virginiana,
363.
Parallactic eye piece, report on, 294,
298.
Patterson, Dr., discourse printed, 12—
account of wells, 25—of automaton
speaking machine, 83, 222—resigns
office of president, 135—exhibits
counterfeit sovereign, 145—grain of
gold, 153, 155—coin from marl pit,
173—dollars from wreck of San
Pedro, 200—diamond from Georgia,
211, 24C0—observations on _ solar
eclipse, 253—account of Leverrier’s
inquiries, 281—bronze medal of Pre-
sident Polk, 298—on Mr. Walker’s
investigations of planet of Leverrier,
sll.
Peale, Mr. F., exhibits gum elastic
goods, 221—granular quartz, 241.
387
Pettit, Charles, papers of, to be ex-
amined, 324.
Planet, of Leverrier, 311—Neptune,
elements of, 332—Astrea, Prof. Riim.
ker on, 347—Neptune, new elements
for, 378.
Polarization of light, Prof. Henry, 227,
229.
Polarized light, application of, to chem-
ical analysis, 349.
Price, E. K., letter referred to commit-
tee on finance, 142.
Proceedings, 16, 81, 82, 99, 135, 219,
244, 250, 335, 337, 344, 351.
Quartz, granular, Mr. Peale, 241—flex-
ible, Mr. Lea, Mr. Justice, 244.
Revolving table, engraved, C. M‘Euen,
201.
Roberts, S. W., steam canal boat, 121—
thanks of Society to, 321.
Rose, Dr., temperature of deep water,
Rimker, Prof., fixed stars and comets,
6—on planet astrea, 347.
Sandy Hook, map of, 168.
Shells, Mr. Lea on, 8, 162.
Shot tower, demolition of, 235.
Sigillaria and stigmaria, 273.
Smith, G. W., artificial magnet, 38—
bursting of gun on board Princeton,
47.
Solar eclipse, observations at High
School, 253.
Sovereign, counterfeit, 145.
Sparks, Jared, private letters returned,
149
Spina bifida, by Dr. Bond, 124.
Steam canal boat, 121.
Sun, spots on, Profs. Henry and Alex-
ander, 173.
Swallow of Rocky Mountain, 186.
Taylor, R. C., on Washington silver
mine, N. C., 150.
Telescopes, Mr. Justice, 126.
Temperature, discussion on, 182—
curves and tables of, 202—of deep
water, 283.
Terrestrial magnetism, Prof. Locke, 63,
102, 109.
Boge clecttie apparatus, Prof. Hen-
ry, 22.
Tilghman, R. A., on decomposing pow-
er of water at high temperatures, 353,
356.
Tornado, Prof. Frazer, 12.
Transactions presented to Historical So-
ciety of Pennsylvania, 307.
Treasurer, accounts referred, 29, 122,
218, 296—reports debt paid to N.
Dunn’s estate, 278.
388 INDEX.
Tucker, Prof., on association of ideas,
Walker, S. C., comet of Feb., 1843, 20—
comet in Orion, 58—Hiern’s comet,
160—Encké’s, 202—Biela’s, 235--ele-
ments of planet Neptune, 332—iden-
tity of Lalande star and Neptune,
339—new elements of planet Nep-
tune, 378.
Water, decomposing power of, at high
temperatures, 353.
Watson, John F., liberty to copy cer-
tain letters, 308.
Weight, French standard, 155—stan-
dard, Prof. Bache, 159.
Whipple, S. H., mastodon bones, 35.
Wyandots, phonology of, 269.
pt
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