ON THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. 



lated, that it is much better known than in this country, where its high 

 price has confined it almost exclusively to scientific men. 



The American Journal of Science and Arts, in entering upon its sixty- 

 first volume, the eleventh of the new series, adds to its list of editors the 

 name of Dr. AVolcott Gibbs. It is to be hoped that Prof. Silliman is at 

 length reaping the reward for his energy and perseverance in establishing, 

 and continuing through long years of discouragement and pecuniary loss, 

 the first and best scientific journal in America. 



The Astronomical Journal has been issued at irregular intervals, under 

 the care of Dr. B. A. Gould, Jr., as materials accumulated, twenty num- 

 bers having been published before the close of the year. Eight gentlemen 

 subscribed 8 700 for its support, and one of them agreed to meet the re- 

 maining expenses of the year. The original communications on astrono- 

 my and pure mathematics which it has contained are of the highest char- 

 acter. 



The Messrs. Appleton, ilie well-known publishers of New York, issued 

 on Jan. 1st, 1851, the first number of "Appletons' Mechanics' Magazine 

 and Engineers' Journal, 1 ' edited by Julius "VV. Adams. It is to appear 

 monthly, taking as its pattern the London Mechanics' Magazine. It is 

 beautifully printed, and contains both original communications and selec- 

 tions. It occupies a somewhat different field from that already filled by 

 the Scientific American and the Farmer and Mechanic, and supplies a 

 want which has long been felt. 



The Daguerrean Journal, devoted to the Daguerrean and photogenic 

 art, was established in October, by Mr. S. D. Humphrey, of New York. 

 As an evidence of the necessity for such a publication, the editor states 

 that there are now upwards of 10,000 persons, in the United States, en- 

 gaged in the various processes dependent upon photography. 



At its meeting at New Haven, the American Association passed a reso- 

 lution in favor of the establishment of a Zoological Journal. It is to be 

 conducted by Professors Agassiz and \Vyman of Cambridge, Dana of 

 New Haven, Leidy of Philadelphia, and Baird of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution. 



The preparation of the American Nautical Almanac is progressing 

 rapidly. Finding that the tables of Bessel and Hansen would not be pub- 

 lished as soon as was expected, Lieut. Davis has caused tables to be pre- 

 pared for provisional use, by enlarging and correcting some of the old 

 ones. A new set of tables of Mercury has been commenced, and various 

 improved modes of computation have been introduced for lessening the 

 labor and increasing the accuracy. Means have been adopted for facilitat- 

 ing observations of the solar eclipse of July 28, 1851, and many advan- 

 tages are anticipated from a comparison of calculations and observations. 



Lieut. Maury is about to present to Congress an elaborate report, giv- 

 ing a connected view of the result? obtained by the observations on the 



