1802.] NEAV YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 47 



The following letter was read by Mr. Jacoby : — 



T)r. B. A. Gould, president of the American Metrological Society, 

 writes from Germany that at the quinquennial session of the 

 Geographical International Congress held in Berne, August 10 to 

 17, there were aliout two hundred and eighty delegates and repre- 

 sentatives from all countries. At this Congress was passed the 

 following resolution on August 14th : — 



" The Geographical Congress entreats Englishmen of science to 

 desist in future from the use of their ancient units of weights and 

 measures in scientific and technical publications, and to employ 

 those of the metric system only." 



This resolution was passed with immense enthusiasm ; the ap- 

 plause and cheering lasted for nearly five minutes, and the vote was 

 unanimous. 



In connection with this, allow me to state that the American 

 Metrological Society has prepared a petition asking Congress to 

 pass the following act : — 



" That on and after July 1st, 1893, the metric system of weights 

 and measures authorized by the act of Congress approved July 

 28th, ISOr., shall be used exclusively in the customs service in the 

 United States." 



Such petition we desire to circulate widely amongst those desir- 

 ing to sign it, and we ask each signer to mail it to his Representative 

 in Congress. 



The American Metrological Society has prepared a simple and 

 excellent chart of the metric system, which, for educational pur- 

 poses, it will mail to any one asking for it for the cost price, 10 

 cents in stamps. Address Secretary of American Metrological 

 Society, No. 41 East 49th Street, New York City. Copies of the 

 petition can be had at the same address. 



JOHN K. REES, Secretary Am. Met. Society. 



New York, Sep. 24, 1891. 



The Secretary of the Section announced the discovery at Heidel- 

 berg of two minor planets by photography. He also, upon the 

 request of Prof. Martin, made some remarks upon the Secular 

 Variation of Latitude. 



Meeting adjourned. 



