EDITED BY

FREDERICK W. PUTNAM, Permanent Secretary.

PRINTED AT

THE SALEM PRESS,

SALEM, MASS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Officers of the Philadelphia Meeting

Standing Committee of the Philadelphia Meeting

Local Committee of the Philadelphia Meeting

Special Committees of the Association

Meetings and Officers of the Association of American Geologists and Natu

Second report of the Committee on standards of stellar magnitudes

Report of the Committee on indexing chemical literature

List of indexes to chemical literature

SECTION A. MATHEMATICS AND ASTRONOMY.

ADDRESS OF VICE PRESIDENT HENRY T. EDDY.

Phenomena observed upon the solar surface from 1881 to 1884. By S. J. PERRY

Description of a model of a ruled cubic surface known as the cylindroid. By

ROBERT S. BALL

.

On a geometrical interpretation of the linear bilateral quaternion equation.

By IRVING STRINGHAM

Description of the Leander McCormick Observatory of the University of Vir-

ginia. By ORMOND STONE

On the fundamental formula of statistical mechanics, with applications to as-

tronomy and thermodynamics. By J. WILLARD GIBBS

Linear functions of points, lines and planes. By E. W. HYDE

Colors of the stars. By E. C. PICKERING

On the colors of variable stars. By S. C. CHANDLER, jr.
On the original graduation of the Harvard College meridian circle in situ.
By W. A. ROGERS and GEO. B. CLARK

The average asteroid orbit and the asteroid ring. By M. W. HARRINGTON.
Micrometric observations of Jupiter's third satellite. By DAVID P. TODD
On the course of the corrections to the heliocentric longitudes of Newcomb's
tables of Uranus and Neptune. By DAVID P. TODD

On the general values of the obliquity of the ecliptic, and of the precession and

inclination of the equator to the invariable plane, taking into account

terms of the second order. By J. C. ADAMS

Note on Newton's theory of atmospheric refraction, and on his method of

finding the motion of the moon's apogee. By J. C. ADAMS

(i)

A new apparatus for the study of Boyle's law. By LEROY C. COOLEY. (Title)

The lunar aurora. Вy JOHN HAYWOOD. (Title)

76

On the measurement of an international arc of meridian through the Ameri-

can continent, from Cape Horn to the Arctic regions. By TRELAWNEY

SAUNDERS. (Title)

Results of observations and experiments with an almucantar of four inches

aperture, at the Harvard College Observatory. By S. C. CHANDLER, jr.

(Title)

The geodetic work of the U. S. coast and geodetic survey. By J. HOWARD

GORE. (Title)

A criterion for the rejection of doubtful observations. By MANSFIELD MER-

RIMAN. (Title)

Harmonic motion in stellar systems. By PLINY EARLE CHASE. (Title)

On the mean temperature of the two hemispheres of the earth. By H. HEN-

NESSY. (Title)

.

.

On the constitution of the earth and planets. By H. HENNESSY. (Title)

On an international standard for measurements. By H. HENNESSY. (Title)

Systematic errors in stellar magnitudes. By E. C. PICKERING. (Title)

On the magnitude of the errors which may be introduced in the reduction of

an observed system of stellar coördinates to an assumed normal system

by graphic methods. By WM. A. ROGERS. (Title)

Analysis of the formula for the moon's latitude as affected by the figure of the

earth. By JOHN N. STOCKWELL. (Title).

On an indirect solution of the equation

to the 6th power of the time, in which

By WM. A. ROGERS. (Title)

is a function of four variables.

ατ

A brief account of some preliminary experiments in the construction of clocks

of precision. By LEONARD WALDO. (Title)

A collection of formulæ for the area of a plane triangle. By MARCUS BAKER.

(Title)

. On the visibility of faint objects under red illumination.

(Title)

By G. W. HOUGH.

78

The products of vectors. By SAMUEL EMERSON. (Title)

Temporary stars. By DANIEL KIRKWOOD. (Title)

Mechanical arithmetic, illustrated by the averaging machine. By W. S. AU-

CHINCLOSS. (Title)

78

78

675

SECTION B. PHYSICS.

ADDRESS OF VICE PRESIDENT JOHN TROWBRIDGE

On the Fritts selenium cells and batteries. By C. E. FRITTS

Relation between the electromotive force of a Daniell cell and the strength of

the zinc sulphate solution. By H. S. CARHART

81

97

109

Sensitiveness of photographic dry plate. By Wм. H. PICKERING.

Photography of the infra-red region of the spectrum. By WM. H. PICKERING

Thunderstorms and their relations to "Low." By HENRY A. HAZEN

Notes on acoustics. By CHAS. R. CROSS

On a proposed method for ascertaining the least number of vibrations neces

sary to determine pitch. By CHAS. R. CROSS

Upon a generator in use at Cornell University for producing oxygen and hy-
drogen gas by means of the dynamo machine. By WM. A. ANTHONY

Determination of the coefficient of expansion of the speculum metal used for

Rowland's gratings. By WM. A. ROGERS

Additional observations confirming the relation: Metre des archives Im-

perial Yard +3.37027 inches. By WM. A. ROGERS

A method for the practical examination of railroad employés as to color

blindness, acuteness of vision and hearing, with the results obtained by it

on the Pennsylvania railroad. By WILLIAM THOMSON

120

Notes on aneroids. By M. W. HARRINGTON

129

An absolute sensitometer. By G. W. HOUGH

An experiment for illustrating the conversion of mechanical energy into heat.

By CHAS. E. MUNROE

129

130

On the variation of the resistance of carbon under pressure. By T. C. MEN-

DENHALL.

130

A possible method of electrical communication between vessels at sea. By

A. GRAHAM BELL

132

On the intensity of sound. II. The energy used by an organ pipe. By C. K.

WEAD

.

A preliminary note on the action of acids upon iron in the magnetic field. By

EDWARD W. NICHOLS

Local and topical weather cards. By W. M. DAVIS

On a proof of contact theory of electricity. By A. E. DOLBEAR

On comparative cost of electric light and oxycalcium light. By A. F. DOL
ᏴᎬᎪᎡ .

Electric discharges in relation to the equilibrium of gaseous atmospheres. By

JAMES DEWAR

On the distribution of potential in conductors experiencing the electromag.
netic effects discovered by Hall. By WILLIAM THOMPSON. (Title).

On a standard tangent galvanometer. By SILVANUS THOMPSON. (Title)

On the government of electric motors. By SILVANUS THOMPSON. (Title)

Change in rainfall of Virginia. By J. R. PURDIE. (Title)

The Princeton Meteorological Observatory. By WILLIAM LIBBEY, jr. (Title)

A form of apparatus for determining the diathermacy of air and gases. By

JOHN R. PADDOCK. (Title)

133

.

134

135

136

136

136

A proposed method of determining the magnetic dip by means of a magnetic

pendulum. By MARCUS BAKER. (Title)

Description of a galvanometer for demonstrating the internal current trans-

mitted through the liquid within a voltaic cell. By CONRAD W. COOKE.

(Title).

Thermal belts. By J. W. CHICKERING, jr. (Title)

Geometrical methods in the theory of refraction at one or more surfaces. By

JAMES LOUDON. (Title)

.

137

137

Note on the periodic modification of electro-static induction. By H. S. CAR-

HART. (Title).

Some relations of positive and negative electricity. By H. W. EATON. (Title)

TON.

A method of distributing weather forecast by means of railroad trains, etc.

By JOHN A. MILLER. (Title)

On the sensitiveness of the eye to colors of a low degree of saturation. By

E. L. NICHOLS. (Title)

.

A spectrophotometric study of pigments. By E. L. NICHOLS. (Title)

First steps toward a general system of observations of atmospheric electricity.

By CLEVELAND ABBE. (Title)

Organization of seismological observations. By CLEVELAND ABBE. (Title)

Methods of verifying weather probabilities. By CLEVELAND ABBE. (Title)

Standards of barometry and thermometry. By CLEVELAND ABBE. (Title)

On the rotation of the equipotential lines of an electric current by magnetic

action. By E. H. HALL. (Title)

SECTION C. CHEMISTRY.

ADDRESS OF VICE-PRESIDENT JOHN W. LANGLEY

Optical methods of estimating sugar in milk. By H. W. WILEY

On chlorpropiolic acid and certain substituted acrylic and propionic acids.

By C. F. MABERY

Continuous etherification. By L. M. NORTON and C. O. PRESCOTT

Anthracene from water-gas tar. By ARTHUR H. ELLIOTT

On the chemistry of fish. By W. O. ATWATER

141

163

163

164

170

170

By E. H. S.

171

A preliminary report on the composition of the coals of Kansas.

BAILEY

Fermentation without combined nitrogen. By ALFRED SPRINGER

Examination of methods proposed for rendering the lighter petroleum oils in-

explosive. By CHAS. E. MUNROE

The chemistry of the roller milling process. By CLIFFORD RICHARDSON

Analysis of a mural efflorescence. By CHAS. E. MUNROE

A study of the phenomenon of deliquescence. By CHAS. E. MUNROE (Dia-

gram)

172

174

175

177

An explanation of Gladstone and Tribe's 2-3 law in chemical dynamics. By

JOHN W. LANGLEY

185

Preliminary analysis of the bark of Fouquieria splendens. By HELEN C. DE

S. ABBOTT

The composition and methods of analysis of human milk. By ALBERT R.

LEEDS

Modifications of Ruffle's Method for the absolute determination of nitrogen.

By H. C. WHITE. (Title).

198

224

On the assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen by plants. By W. O. ATWATER.

(Title)

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

224

Notes on Reinsch's test. By HENRY LEFFMANN. (Title)

Apparatus for the determination of nitrogen by the copper oxide method. By

CHARLES W. DABNEY, jr. (Title)

A convenient apparatus for determining nitrogen in duplicate. By CHARLES

W. DABNEY, jr. (Title).

Anhydrobenzoamidosalicylic acid. By CHARLES W. DABNEY, jr. (Title)

Torsion balances. By ALFRED SPRINGER. (Title)

Discussion on fermentation. By ALFRED SPRINGER. (Title)

On a substitute for litmus, and simple processes for estimating alkalies, acids,

temporary hardness of water, etc. By J. F. HEYES. (Title).

A new form of gas regulator. By F. P. DUNNINGTON. (Title)
Simple lecture illustrations. By F. P. DUNNINGTON. (Title).
Production of argentic hydrate. By F. P. DUNNINGTON. (Title)
Improvements in apparatus for rapid gas analysis. By A. H. ELLIOTT. (Title)

SECTION D. MECHANICAL SCIENCE.

ADDRESS OF VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT H. THURSTON

The production of optical surfaces. By JOHN A. BRASHEAR (Illustrated)

The Giant's causeway and Portrush electric tramway (Ireland). By WIL-

LIAM A. TRAILL

Electric tramways. By M. HOLROYD SMITH

Are the advantages of a trip gear worth its greater cost than excentrics? By

ARTHUR RIGG.

A mode of heating from a central source. By SIR FREDERICK BRAMWELL

Flood regulator. By JAMES DILLON

On a new method of producing screws of standard length and uniform pitch.

By WM. A. ROGERS.

Development of the philosophy of heat engines. By R. H. THURSTON

Three problems in river physics. By J. B. JOHNSON

Steam engine practice in the United States in 1881. By J. C. HOADLEY

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