OX THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. V 



coveries in chemistry relating to its applications to the arts ; none on 

 any of the great manufacturing interests of our country, which require 

 so much real science to conduct and carry on ; none on civil or mecha- 

 nical engineering ; none on practical mining ; none on shipbuilding ; 

 none on any of the useful arts whatever." 



The twenty-sixth Annual Meeting of the British Association was 

 held at Cheltenham in August, 1856, Dr. Daubeny in the Chair. The 

 attendance was not large, but the papers presented were more practi- 

 cal and valuable than usual. The meeting for 1857 was appointed to 

 be held at Dublin, Dr. Lloyd, of Trinity College, Dublin, being the 

 President elect. 



The following were among the resolutions adopted by the Associa- 

 tion, which we publish as indicative of the proposed fields of scientific 

 research to be occupied : 



That Prof. Buckman and Prof. Yoelcker be requested to continue 

 their researches into the effects of external agents on the growth of 

 plants. 



That a Deputation be named to wait upon her Majesty's Secretary 

 for Foreign Affairs, to urge the desirableness of sending out an Annual 

 Expedition to the Niger, at the period of the rising of the waters of 

 that river (which has been proved to be the most healthy season), as 

 proposed by Dr. Baikie, supported by the Eoyal Geographical So- 

 ciety, and advocated by persons deeply interested in establishing a 

 regular commercial intercourse with the inhabitants of that portion 

 of Africa. 



That a memorial be presented to the Admiralty, praying for the 

 complete publication, in a minute form, of the results of the trials of 

 Her Majesty's steamships. 



That Mr. Eennie be requested to prosecute his experiments on the 

 velocity of the screw propeller. 



That the Earl of Harrowby, and other gentlemen, be requested to 

 continue their efforts for amending the patent system of England, 

 so that the funds arising may be available to the reward of meritorious 

 inventors. 



That Mr. Henderson, and others, be requested to consider the best 

 mode of improving the system of measurement for tonnage of ships, 

 and the estimation of the power of steam engines. 



Mr. Fairbairn was requested to complete his report on boiler explo- 

 sions; Mr. Thompson, his report on the measurement of water by 

 weir boards ; and these two gentlemen to concur in experiments on 

 the friction of disks in water, and on centrifrugal pumps. 



A donation of $100 was voted to Madame Ida Pfeiffer to aid hei 

 proposed exploration of Madagascar. 



In the Geological section an exciting debate occurred between Prof. 



