NOTES BY THE EDI TOES 



ON THE 



PROGRESS OF SCIENCE IN 1850 



THE half-century which ended with the year 1850 has been an eventful 

 one in the annals of science, and especially of American science. How- 

 ever interesting and instructive it would be to trace its progress, we shall 

 content ourselves with the narrower task of a cursory review of the scien- 

 tific world during the single year which has just closed, introducing some 

 items of information which we believe will be found interesting. 



The American Association for the Advancement of Science has held 

 two meetings during the past year. The first, a semiannual meeting, 

 at Charleston, S. C-, which commenced March 12th, and continued five 

 days. The whole number of papers presented was forty-eight, of which 

 eighteen pertained to mathematical and physical science, and the remain- 

 der to subjects connected with natural history. Among the latter was one 

 from Dr. St. Julien Ravcnel, of Charleston, announcing one of the most 

 important discoveries of the year, viz. " that the development of tissues is 

 parallel to the growth of individuals." This paper unfortunately has never 

 been published. Prof. A. D. Bache presided at this meeting. The great- 

 est hospitality, both public and private, was extended to the members by 

 the city and its inhabitants. "\Yith an unexampled generosity, the Corpo- 

 ration of Charleston assumed all the expenses of the Association in pub- 

 lishing the papers and proceedings of the meeting, the whole forming a 

 volume of 215 pages. 



The second and annual meeting of the Association commenced at New 

 Haven, Aug. 19th, and continued one week, Prof. Bache presiding. The 

 number of members in attendance was larger than ever before, and the 

 papers offered covered a wide range of subjects. The annual address was 

 delivered by Prof. Henry, the retiring President of the Association. 



At this meeting various measures were adopted which are calculated to 



a* 



