for the Advaiicenunt (yf Science. 97 



vocates of the theory have advanced its claims too far, will be 

 in some degree conciliated by having a distinct acknowledgment, 

 as during these discussions they have had, of what it does not 

 pretend to explain. The whole doctrine of the absorption of 

 hght is at present out of the pale of its calculations ; and if the 

 theory is ever extended to these phenomena, it must be by sup- 

 plementary suppositions concerning the ether and its undula- 

 tions, of which we have at present not the slightest conception. 



Heat, — There are various of the Physical subjects to which 

 your Reports refer, which it is less necessary to notice in a general 

 sketch like the present. The recent discoveries in Thermo-elec- 

 tricity, of which Professor Gumming has presented you with a re- 

 view, and the investigations concerning Radiant Heat which have 

 been arranged and stated by Professor Powell, are subjects of 

 great interest and promise ; and they are gradually advancing, by 

 the accumulation of facts bound together by subordinate rules, in- 

 to that condition in which we may hope to see them subjugated to 

 general and philosophical theories. But with regard to this pro- 

 spect, the subjects I have mentioned are only the fragments of 

 sciences, on which we cannot hope to theorize successfully except 

 by considering them with reference to theirwholes; — Thermo- 

 electricity with reference to the whole doctrine of electricity ; 

 Radiant Heat with reference to the whole doctrine of heat. 



Meteorology, — If the subjects just mentioned be but parts of 

 sciences, there is another on which you have a Report before you, 

 which, though treated as one science, is in reality a collection of 

 several sciences, each of great extent. I speak of Meteorology, 

 which is reported on by Professor Forbes. There is, perhaps, 

 no portion of human knowledge more capable of being advanced 

 by our conjoined exertions than this : some of the requisite ob- 

 servations demand practice and skill ; but others are easily made, 

 when the observer is imbued with sound elementary notions ; and 

 in all departments of the subject little can be done without a great 

 accumulation of facts and a patient inquiry after their rules. 

 Some such contributions we may look for at our present Meet- 

 ing. Professor Forbes has spoken of the possibility of con- 

 structing maps of tlie sky, by which we may trace the daily and 

 hourly condition of the atmosphere over large tracts of earth. 

 If indeed we could make a stratigraphical analysis of the aerial 



VOL. XVI. NO. XXXI. JANUARY 1834. G 



