sumed generalization of Mr. Peacock, to which is added a new investigation, and remarks on the development and continuity of functions;" which was referred to a Committee. Mr. Lea read a paper, entitled "Notice of the Oolitic Formation in America, with descriptions of some of its organic remains, by Isaac Lea;" which was referred to a Committee. A communication was read from Prof. Locke, of Cincinnati, the objects of which are, "1. To determine more accurately the relation, magnetic dip and intensity at Cincinnati, and at Louisville, Ky., by making observations as near together, in point of time, as possible. 2. To determine the horary changes of horizontal intensity at Cincinnati, and 3. To ascertain more accurately the effect of changes of temperature on the needles used by the author, and to deduce a constant coefficient for each of them." The paper was referred to the same Committee to whom Professor Locke's previous paper on the same subject was referred (Proceedings of March 6, 1840). Mr. Du Ponceau made a verbal communication on the subject of the silk culture in India. It appears from the sixth volume of the Transactions of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India, Calcutta, 1839, which is in the library of the Society, that the English are extending the culture of silk to the Deccan and the Western Coast of India, and have an establishment for that purpose, under the direction of Signor Mutti, an Italian gentleman, who resides at Bombay, and is styled "Superintendent of the Silk Culture in the Deccan." Two letters addressed by him to John Bell, Esq., Secretary of the Agricultural Society of India, Mr. Du Ponceau considered to be worthy of the attention of those who feel an interest in the promotion of the silk culture in this country. A treatise by that gentleman on the various branches of the silk culture, is subjoined to, and published with, his letters. The chapter or division concerning the art or method of reeling or winding silk from the cocoons, Mr..Du Ponceau regards as replete with valuable practical instruction. On this last subject (the art of reeling), the correspondent at Paris of the National Intelligencer asserts, that an excellent treatise has been lately published, in that capital, by M. Ferrier, which has been republished in the third volume of the Annals of the Sericole Society, specially instituted for the promotion of the culture of silk in France. As instruction is much wanted in this country, on this particular subject, while the culture of silk engages the general attention, Mr. Du Ponceau expressed a hope that M. Ferrier's treatise would be translated and published for the benefit of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Du Ponceau farther stated, that from the volume of Transactions above cited, it appears that the English are making great exertions to introduce the culture of cotton into India. Specimens of the best soils for growing cotton in this country, particularly those of Georgia, have been sent to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society, and analyzed by them. The descriptions accompanying the specimens have not been found sufficiently particular, nor have their analyses yet led to any decided conclusions. They seem to think, that the abundance and fineness of good cotton depend on the quantity of carbon in the soil, and the solubility of that carbon. But with this theory they do not appear to be entirely satisfied. They find that all the American, the Mauritius, and the best Singapore soils, producing the finest cotton, contain a considerable percentage of vegetable matter under the form of peat or lignite, in a state of exceedingly minute division, and in many of them some part of it is readily soluble in cold water. They find again, that the Indian soils contain very little vegetable matter, and this wholly insoluble in water, but that the best contain a far larger proportion of carbonate of lime, and some of them the iron in a different state from the others. It would seem, however, that the plant is somewhat indifferent about the iron; yet, as it is not known what part the iron plays in soils (which may influence their electricity as well as their tenacity and relations to moisture), they consider it a matter to be borne in mind and to be subjected to farther inquiries. The culture of the vine in India, Mr. Du Ponceau added, appears also to engage much of the attention of the Society; and, on the whole, the useful arts and sciences seem to be cultivated in that country to a degree which deserves to be particularly noticed. Mr. Walker stated the results of Professor Loomis's farther observations on the subject of Galle's second comet, which Prof. L. intends hereafter to lay before the Society. He further stated that Galle had discovered a third comet, which was of great interest to the astronomer; as it was likely to add another to the number of comets of known period. Mr. Walker mentioned the receipt of European observations of Galle's second comet, as late as the 21st of February, and those of Prof. Loomis of the 18th and 19th of March. From these, he had selected the observations made January 25th and February 21st, at the Berlin Observatory, and that of Prof. Loomis at the Hudson Observatory, on the 19th of March; and had computed the elements of its orbit. The comet's observed geocentric longitude and latitude, cleared of aberration and parallax, and referred to the mean equinox of January, 1840, were as follows: from which he had obtained for the elements of the comet: Perihelion Pass. March 13.d07523 Berlin mean time. 236° 49' 8.0" 59 15 8.9 π 80 14 52.8 log. q Motion retrograde. Dr. Dunglison gave the particulars of a case, in which blood that flowed, on dissection, from the arteries of the brain, coagulated fifteen hours after the death of the individual. The patient died after a severe agony, and after an illness of some duration, for which mercury had been administered so as to affect the system freely. On opening the head, the arteries of the brain were found turgid with blood; and on removing the brain, the blood flowed from them and coagulated. Dr. Dunglison made some remarks on the singularity of this phenomenon, and its relations to physiology and medical jurisprudence, and stated that it completely overthrew the views of those, who believe that the blood is either possessed of a vital influence, or receives some influence from the living vessels that contain it, which maintains its fluidity, and that so soon as it is removed from these influences it coagulates or dies. In this case the blood remained fluid, and coagulation took place fifteen hours after the total cessation of respiration and circulation, and after the blood had become cold; circumstances showing that the phenomenon is wholly physical in its nature. Mr. Vaughan reported the death of Benjamin Allen, LL.D., a member of the Society, who died on the 20th of July, 1836, aged 64 years. On motion of Mr. Vaughan, it was Resolved, That Prince Maximilian of Neuwied should be presented with the volumes of the Transactions of the Society since the fourth volume. Mr. Vaughan further stated, that Prince Maximilian had intimated his intention of presenting to the Society a copy of his Voyage to America, with accompanying Atlas, &c. The Librarian, in accordance with a resolution of the Society, presented, for approval, a list of Societies to whom it is proposed to send the Proceedings of the Society. The resolutions, adopted at a recent meeting (April 3d, 1840), for the distribution of the Society's Proceedings, are as follows: First. Twenty copies to be furnished to the Librarian to be retained in the Library. Secondly. A copy to be sent regularly a. To members qualified to vote at elections, and to such other members as the Secretaries may think proper. b. To each of the Societies in correspondence with this Society. c. To the Editors of such Scientific Journals of the United States and of foreign countries as may be determined upon by the Secretaries. d. To each subscriber to the Transactions of the Society, not otherwise entitled to a copy. Thirdly. A copy of the number of the Bulletin, in which their communications are noticed, to be sent to correspondents, not members of the Society. Fourthly. Any person to be permitted to subscribe for the year, with the Librarian, at such annual subscription price as shall be affixed by the Secretaries. Fifthly. It shall be the duty of the Librarian to transmit regularly, and as early after the date of publication as practicable, the copies for the various Societies, at home and abroad, which copies shall be furnished him by the Secretaries, duly enveloped, according to a list sanctioned by the Society. Sixthly. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to attend to the conservation and distribution of the remainder, as above directed, and they shall be authorized to take such measures for this purpose as they may deem expedient. |