333 



policy which represses the love of scientific research and dis- 

 tinction in our naval officers must prove a serious injury to the 

 service. 



Resolved, — That while we would not call in question the just 

 and patriotic intentions of the navy board in its recent action, we 

 cannot forbear expressing our regret that by placing Lieutenants 

 Maury and Gilliss on the " retired list," it has given rise to the 

 impression that the scientific labors to which the officers of the 

 navy may be deputed, are to be regarded as of inferior dignity 

 to the other kinds of active service ; and that, instead of being 

 considered meritorious, they are to constitute an obstacle to pro- 

 fessional advancement. 



Resolved, Therefore, That we respectfully suggest to the proper 

 authorities a reconsideration of the subject, and such action as 

 will secure to those of our naval officers who may be placed on 

 scientific duty, encouragement to persevere in this arduous branch 

 of the service. 



Resolved, — That, in the opinion of this Society, the interests of 

 science and of the navy would be promoted by the establishment 

 of a scientific board, composed of naval officers distinguished for 

 their cultivation of science, and that it is recommended to the 

 Society to memorialize Congress to this effect. 



Dr. C. T. Jackson exhibited a new Water Filter, in which 

 the cleansing medium was formed of four layers of wire 

 gauze closely compressed and bound together. 



Dr. Jackson stated that the Cochituate water now contains a 

 large quantity of Cyclopean animalcules, and that oil is to be 

 found in them also. The water is now generally considered 

 pure and tasteless. A quantity of Cyclopeans, collected by 

 means of this filter, was shown. 



Dr. Durkee, by aid of the microscope, exhibited the presence 

 of oil globules in the water, and a few were seen in the bodies 

 of the crustaceans. 



Dr. S. L. Abbot suggested that one of the causes of the con- 

 tamination of Cochituate water the past year might be the extinc- 

 tion, by drought, in vast numbers, of some species of mollusks, as 



