29 



themselves, and would amount to forty miles on the average, 

 and between the tropics, near the line of greatest variation, to 

 several degrees; whereas it is well known that by the lunar 

 method, the probable error in longitude is less than six miles, 

 and may be reduced to four by means of half a dozen ob- 

 served eclipses of Jupiter's first satellite. 



Mr. Walker concluded by remarking that although, in stat- 

 ing the practical objections to the method, he had taken Dr. Sher- 

 wood's postulates for granted, yet he considered every one of 

 them as contrary to facts, observation, and experience. 



Dr. Bache announced the death of Charles Maurice Talley- 

 rand, Prince of Benevento, a member of the Society, who died 

 on the 17th of May, 1838, aged 83. 



Stated Meeting, August 17. 

 Present, eighteen members. 

 Mr. Du Ponceau, President, in the Chair. 

 The following donations were received: — 



FOR THE LIBRARY. 



Communication from Governor Marcy to the Legislature' of New 



York, relative to the Geological Survey of the State, for the year 



1837. With Plates. Albany, 1838.— From Messrs. L. Vanuxem 



and T. A. Conrad. 

 The same work. — From William Meredith, Esq. 

 The Light-Houses, Beacons, and Floating Lights of the United 



States, for 1838. Prepared by order of Stephen Pleasonton, 



Fifth Auditor. Washington, 1838. — From Stephen Pleasonton, 



Esq. 

 The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. Edited by Isaac 



Hays, M. D. No. XLIV, for August. Philadelphia, 1838— 



From the Editor. 

 The American Medical Library and Intelligencer. Edited by R. 



Dunglison, M. D. Vol. II. Nos. 8, 9, & 10. Philadelphia, 



1838 — From the Editor. 



