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explanatory "of a ballistic pendulum, constructed at the Washing- 

 ton arsenal for experiments in gunnery." 



4th MEETING. WEDNESDAY EVENING. Hon. John C. Spencer, 

 Secretary of the Treasury, in the chair. The proceedings were 

 opened by an essay of Professor A. D. Bache, superintendent of the 

 United States coast survey, "on the history of science in Europe 

 and the United States;" Professor Jacobs, of Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 

 vania, followed with a paper "on the Indian Summer;" Dr. A. D. 

 Challoner, of Philadelphia, with one "on the petrified forest near 

 Cairo, in Egypt, discovered by Linant, chief engineer and hydro- 

 grapher to the Pacha." 



5th DAY. 5th MEETING, THURSDAY, APRIL 4th Morning Session. 

 Hon R. J. Walker in the chair. Peter A. Browne opened exer- 

 cises by a paper " on improved method of teaching the natural 

 sciences;" Professor W. W. Mather, of Ohio, "on the physical 

 geography of the United States;" Professor C. Gill, of Flushing, 

 New York, concluded the proceedings by an essay "on the im- 

 provement of mathematical science, and the consequent advance- 

 ment of the natural sciences." 



6th MEETING. THURSDAY Evening Session. -Honorable John 

 C. Spencer in the chair. Dr. Nott, President of Union college, 

 Schenectady, New York, delivered an essay " on the origin, dura- 

 tion, and end of the world;" Professor J. H. Agnew, of New York, 

 " on the Glacier system, or period of Agassez." 



7th MEETING. FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 5th. The Hon. B. F- 

 Butler, of New York, in the chair. Professor Locke, of Cincinnati, 

 commenced this day's exercises with a paper "on the meteorology, 

 magnetism, topography, scenery, geology, &c., of Lake Superior, 

 and its vicinity ;"^ Professor W. A. Norton, of Newark, Delaware, 

 read one "on the Nebular hypothesis;" Captain W. H. Swift, U. 

 S. topographical engineers, " a description of the base line of Long 

 Island, measured in the year 1843, for the survey of the coast of 

 the United States ;" and Dr. Sewall, of Washington, " an essay on 

 the design and utility of the Medical Department of the National 

 Institute." 



8th MEETING. SATURDAY, APRIL 6th Morning Session. Hon. 

 JOSEPH R. INGERSOLL, of Philadelphia, in the Chair. 



F. J. GRUND, of Philadelphia, read an essay " on the modern 

 historical schools of France and Germany, and the philosophy of 



