$4 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
“Many variable stars were discovered during these investigations, and two 
whose proper motion is about 6” annually are equaled by only one other, so far 
as is known. 
“Eleven hundred photographs of southern star clusters, taken during the years 
1872-1883, have been preserved and are now undergoing measurement. 
“Five volumes of meteorological observations have been published from 
stations established in all parts of the Argentine territory, giving the climate rela- 
tions of the southern half of the continent and establishing the isothermal lines. 
“The observatory and a national meteorological office were left in full organi- 
zation and activity. 
“This vast and comprehensive work is embraced in thirteen quarto volumes 
already published, and six are now prepared for publication, making nineteen 
invallles= 
At the Congress of Electricians held in Paris in 1881 a resolu- 
tion was adopted requesting the French Government to invite 
other governments to an international congress for the deter- 
mination of electrical units. Various governments, including 
that of the United States, accepted the invitation and appointed 
delegates. The American delegates were Professor John Trow- 
bridge and Professor H. A. Rowland, both of whom were mem- 
bers of the National Academy of Sciences. At the meeting of 
November, 1881, the following resolution was adopted by the 
Academy: 
“ Resolved, That the National Academy of Sciences cordially approves of the 
formation of an international commission on electrical units, as suggested by the 
Paris Electrical Congress, and earnestly hopes that the necessary appropriation 
may be made by the Congress of the United States to enable the members of 
this Academy already appointed on this commission, through the Department of 
State, to carry out the needed experimental determinations with credit to the 
country.” 35 
This resolution was favorably considered by Congress and we 
find in the Sundry Civil Act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 
1883, an item under the State Department providing the sum of 
$3,000 for “‘ the payment of the actual and necessary expenses of 
the two civilian experts as delegates of the United States to an 
* Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., vol. 1, p. 290. 
* Loc. cit. p. 199. 
a 
