RECORDS. 679 



for some time back. In 1799, Humboldt saw one from the 

 Andes Mountains. In 1833 there was another. Professor H. 

 A. Newton, of Yale, after investigating the subject, predicted 

 another in 1866, which came as predicted. Professor Newton, 

 and Professor Adams of England calculated that there was a 

 large bunch or collection of these meteors traveling around the 

 sun with an orbit of about thirty-three and a quarter years. 

 This orbit at one point intersected the orbit of the earth. It was 

 later shown that this orbit was practically identical with that of 

 Tempel's comet of 1866. Three other similar cases of a con- 

 nection between the meteor showers and comets have been 

 found, and these seem to indicate either that the showers and 

 comets are identical, or that the meteors are parts of a disinte- 

 grated comet. 



In observing the meteors, the best results are obtained from 

 photographs. Professor Elkin of Yale has a batteiy of cameras 

 fastened to an equatorial axis, each camera covering a distinct 

 part of the heavens. By means of two such arrangements sev- 

 eral miles apart, the exact distance between the two stations 

 being known, it will be possible to get photographs from which 

 can be deduced with accuracy the path of the meteors, the 

 velocity, and the distance from the earth. 



The Columbia University Observatory was obliged, on ac- 

 count of the sale of the old observatory site, and the storage of 

 the instruments, to make arrangements for observing the ex- 

 pected shower from other places. Col. P. S. Michie of West 

 Point, placed the observatory there at the service of Professor 

 Rees, and Mr. C. A. Post, of Bayport, offered his time and in- 

 struments. A report on the work done during the week No- 

 vember 13—18, will be presented to the Academy. 



W. S. Day, 

 Secretary. 



SECTION OF BIOLOGY. 

 November 13, 1899. 



Section met at 8:1 5 P. M., Professor F. S. Lee, presiding. The 

 minutes of the last meeting of Section were read and approved. 



