PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 97 



bygroinetric state of the atmosphere in clear weather, not only for 

 the point of observation, but generally throughout the whole extent 

 of the atmosphere through which the rays pass, for the greater the 

 value of K the greater the diathermanancy of the air, and hence 

 the less the amount of aqueous vapor in it. 



This was briefly discussed by Messrs. Harkness, H. Farquhar, 

 and Taylor. 



Mr. Antisell then began the presentation of a communication 



ON THE BUILDING UP OF ORGANIC MATTER, 



which was unfinished when the hour of adjournment arrived, and 

 its completion went over to the next meeting. 



213th Meeting. March 11, 1882. 



President Wm. B. Taylor in the chair. 



Thirty-seven members and visitors present. 



Mr. Antisell then presented to the Society the remainder of his 

 communication 



on the building up of organic matter, 



the presentation of which was begun at the last meeting. 



A brief discussion of this paper — the session having been pro- 

 longed for this purpose — followed, and was taken part in by Messrs. 

 Gill and Ward, who took exceptions to some of the conclusions 

 arrived at in the communication. 



214th Meeting. March 25, 1882. 



President Wm. B. Taylor in the chair. 

 Thirty-six members and visitors present. 



The President announced to the Society the death, at 3 p. m. this 

 day, of pneumonia, after an illness of two days, of Mrs. Joseph 

 Henry, widow of the first president of the Society. 



7 



