11 



A practical application of the multiple system of telegraphy has 

 been made, by which, while terminal offices are using a wire, inter- 

 mediate offices may work it at the same time, without in the least 

 interfering one with the other. This improvement over the duplex 

 or the quadruple system, is the invention of ELISHA GRAY, of our 

 own city. I may also mention a practical application of the tele- 

 phone, by which the human voice, or several voices, with all their 

 individual peculiarities, may be transmitted over an ordinary tele- 

 graph wire, without the use of a battery ; also, the production of the 

 phonograph, by which the human voice may be recorded, and repro- 

 duced after the lapse of any period of time. Improvements in the 

 electric light are in progress, whereby former difficulties have been 

 to some extent overcome, the expense reduced, and larger results 

 attained. 



In the department of Chemistry and Physics, the result of 

 Professor DRAPER'S investigations has already been alluded to ; 

 but the relation of these sciences to the varied metallurgical pro- 

 cesses, on which we base the future of our vast territorial posses- 

 sions ; the advance made in the study of the nature of light ; the 

 successful use of the spectrum ; the researches into the nature of 

 the gases, indicate the work going forward and the possibilities in 

 reserve. 



In Geology and Mineralogy we may mention the valuable sur- 

 veys carried forward by our government, under the charge of 

 WHEELER, and COPE, and WHITE, and HAYDEN and KING, embrac- 

 ing large sections of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, 

 Arizona and the western half of Wyoming. The results of these 

 surveys, conducted by men of ability and of large experience, with 

 an able corps of assistants, are looked to with eagerness. The meet- 

 ings of our own Academy have borne witness to the special interest 

 we have in many subjects which have received careful attention in 

 the progress of these surveys. We may remark, too, the progress 

 being made in our state surveys. The researches made in Europe 

 and Asia are also noteworthy. But the attractive details which 

 press upon us from various quarters, time forbids our entering 

 upon. We look with interest to the International Geological Con- 

 gress, which meets in Paris during the coming summer, and at 

 which I trust our Academy may be represented. 



