132 JOURNAL OF THE 



THIRTY- EIGHTH MEETING. 



Gerrard Hall, October 10, 1888. 



Vice-President Graves introduced Dr. Wm. B. Phillips, who gave an account 

 of the — 



4. Erection of the Mitchell Monument. An abstract of this paper is pub- 

 lished in this Journal (p. 55). 



THIRTY-NINTH MEETING. 



Person Hall, November 20, 1888. 



Vice-President Graves presided. The meeting was opened by Professor 

 Alexander with a paper on — 



5. References to Oil in Plutarch and Some of his Theories Concerning the 

 Moon. (Abstract). Passages from Plutarch's writings were cited to show the 

 use of oil in quieting the sea, also by divers for illuminating the depths, etc. 

 The petroleum spring near the ox us, discovered about 328 B. C, was referred 

 to and Strabo's mention of similar oil-springs given. Some of the quaint 

 theories as to the nature of oil were recounted. Professor Alexander also gave 

 Plutarch's theories about the moon, the faces appearing on its disc, etc. 



0. The University Observatory. By Professor Love. The following hith- 

 erto unpublished faets about the North Carolina University Astronomical 

 Observatory have been lately gathered from old MS. records: 



The foundations were laid in April, 1831, and the first eight feet of the wall 

 built. This portion was of stone. The remainder of the walls was put up in 

 March, April and May, 1832. The wood-work, painting and all were com- 

 plete by the middle of August, 1832. The building cost $430.29. It was paid 

 for by the University and not, as has been stated, by President Caldwell. 



7. Report on Progress in Bacteriology. Presented by Professor Poteat ; 

 read, in the absence of the author, by the Secretary. • (Abstract). 



The Report on "Microscopical Botany," after a brief historic il introduction, 

 called attention to the opening of laboratories for the study of microorgan- 

 isms, particularly to the Hoagland Laboratory of the Long Island College 

 Hospital, opened October 1st. The remaining portion was occupied with the 

 description of Hesse's and of Frankland's methods for the quantitative esti- 

 mation of the bacteria disseminated in the air, and of Koch's " plate-cultiva- 

 tion" process as applied to the dissemination of bacteria in water. Some of 

 the general results of these investigations were stated. 



8. Mathematical Fiction. Read by Professor Graves. (Abstract). In 

 Natural Science fiction finds a place at the foundation of important theories. 

 In Mathematics, also, which claims to be the exact science, fictions are found 

 which, to the uninitiated, appear extravagant. 



Illustrations: The properties of the right line at infinity, of the circular 

 points at infinity, of the imaginary foci of conies, etc., etc. 



9. Recalculations of Atomic Weights. This paper by Dr. Venable appears, 

 in full, in this Journal (p. 98). 



