1892.] NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 47 
The following letter was read by Mr. J AcoB¥ :— 
Dr. 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 about 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 Ist, 1893, the metric system of weights 
and measures authorized by the act of Congress approved July 
28th, 1866, 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 eost 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 Pror. Martin, made some remarks upon the Secular 
Variation of Latitude. 
Meeting adjourned. 
