Abstract
THIS institution is one of the oldest of its kind in America, having been originally founded upwards of eighty years ago, just after the conclusion of the American War of Independence. At present it is one of the most comprehensive and active of the American societies, its sphere of work embracing all departments of literature and science. In an eloquent annual address, which is the first paper in this volume, Orlando Meads, one of the oldest members of the Institute, sketches its history, and gives reminiscences of some of the most eminent men who have been connected with the Society, including several who have left their mark on the country, A characteristic feature of this volume is the reports of what has been done during the year, both in America and Europe, in the various divisions of science and literature, the institution being divided into three departments— Physical Sciences and the Arts, Natural History, and History and General Literature, and these again into a number of classes. Thus we have in the present volume, reports on botany, zoology, chemistry, and general literature. Of the papers in this volume we may notice one On Nitro-glycerine, as used in the construction of the Hoosac Tunnel, by Prof. G. M. Mowbray. The author traces the history of the dangerous article, gives an account of his own investigations regarding it. and describes the method in which it was used in boring the Hoosac tunnel.—On certain new Phenomena in Chemistry, by Verplanck Colvin, describes some very remarkable experiments in amalgamation made by the author, From Newton to Kirchoff, by Dr. L. C. Cooley, traces in an interesting way the progress of research on Light during the period indicated; and in Researches in the Theory and Calculus of Operations, by J. A. Pater-son, we have a most elaborate and intricate investigation on the theory of the actions of various forces of Nature. Mr. C. H. Peck contributes a Synopsis of New York Uncinulae.
Transactions of the Albany Institute,
vol. vii. (Albany, U.S., 1872.)
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[Book Reviews]. Nature 9, 439 (1874). https://doi.org/10.1038/009439a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/009439a0