PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 305 



The most important contribution to Meteorology was mtide in 1831, by 

 Redfield, of New York, in his theory of storms. 



Tlic worl 1 is indebted to Werner for first giving- systematic form to 

 Descriptive Geol<)g3^ His arrangement of strata lias, however, been 

 greatly modified by the discoveries of the present century. The laborers 

 in this vast field of observation are too numerous to be specially noted. 

 Great advances were made in Palteontology bj' Cuvier. Among the more 

 recent valuable additions to it are those of Owen and Agassiz, made between 

 1835 and 1845. It should be acknowledged here that American Geologists, 

 by minute and extended observations in a connected series, have contributed 

 their full portion to these branches of knowledge. 



This cursory view is sufficient to show that Science has made greatest 

 progress within a comparatively short period; and that recency of discovery 

 is the yji'incipal reason for its not commanding general credence. Another 

 impediment is found in its copiousness. It is quite impossible for any indi- 

 vidual t(j master all the minuti<e of every branch of science. This will be 

 made apparent by alluding to a single work, "The Natural History of New 

 York," in twenty-one quarto volumes, acknowledged by European savans 

 to be the most valuable contribution to science made by any Government. 

 How many teachers even are familiar with all its details? Yet this work 

 opens to view quite an inconsiderable portion of our planet. It is not, how- 

 ever essential that every man should comprehend the details of discovery, 

 but only those grand deductions and generalizations to which master spir- 

 its are led by proper methods of observation and experiment. You, gen- 

 tlemen, are well aware of the importance of inventions to the material well 

 being of our race; and of their dependence upon the immutable laws by 

 which the Creator governs all forms and forces. Invention is the hand- 

 maid of Science and of Art. She furnishes both with the implements by 

 whicii they achieve success. The circle of knowledge is not and never 

 will be complete. Chemistry has thus far determined no law for the move- 

 ments of either end of the material chain. The mute mineral has a secret, 

 and is as much a mystery as man. But while we admit tliat Science has 

 not yet found the Ilosett^i stone which is the key to the earliest records of 

 the globe, let us not fail to acknowledge our great indebtedness to her for 

 what she has already vouchsafed, and to bear in mind that her gifts are the 

 richest legacy which can be left to future generations. Amid all the fluc- 

 tuations of time they will remain to enlighten and guide the countless 

 hosts who are to follow us. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ] 



May 12, 1864. ) 



Chairman, Prof. S. D. Tillman; Secretaiy, Mr. B. Garvey. 



Thallium. 



Dr. D. D. Parmelee presented for inspection a specimen of the new metal, 

 Thallium. It is a bluish white metal, very soft, easily tarnished, resemb- 

 ling slightly both lead and silver. Its specific gravity is 11.8. 



[Am. Inst. J T 



