OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 185 



Professor Edward H. Courtenay, of the University of Virginia, 

 Captain W. H. Swift, U. S. Engineers, and Professor C. M. 

 Mitchell of Cincinnati Observatory, Ohio, were elected Cor- 

 responding Members. 



Hon. Abbott Lawrence, Rev. George Putnam, D. D., and 

 Charles G. Loring, Esq., were elected Fellows, 



Dr. M. Wyman reported that the Committee on Yentilation 

 were engaged in experiments for testing the relative efficiency 

 of different kinds of ventilating apparatus in use, by measur- 

 ing the velocity of the current of air made by their means 

 to rise through tubes arranged for the purpose ; this velocity 

 being measured directly, by introducing chlorine gas into the 

 base of the current, and noting the discoloration of paper wet 

 •with a solution of hydriodate of potash in starch suspended in 

 the upper part of the tube. 



Professor Peirce gave some account of his computation of 

 the mass of Neptune from the motions of its satellite. 



Three Hundred and first Meeting. 



December 7, 1847. — Monthly Meeting. 



The President in the chair. 



The committee to whom was referred the "Programme 

 for the Organization of the Smithsonian Institution," sub- 

 mitted to the Academy by the Secretary, Professor Henry, 

 with his letter of the 30th September, made the following 

 Report. 



" Professor Henry is understood to be desirous of ascertaining the 

 opinions of the scientific bodies of the country, on the subject of the 

 proposed organization of the Smithsonian Institution ; and the free 

 expression of their views is wished by him. 



" The interesting nature and high importance of this foundation, 

 and the novel and peculiar circumstances attending its establishment, 

 make it highly expedient, in the opinion of the committee, that every 

 step taken in its organization should be deliberately considered. They 



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