British Association for the Advancement of Science. 477 



object to add to the account of the past meeting a distinct view of what is to 

 be expected from the next, and to announce the result of the applications 

 which have been made to individuals, requesting them, in the name of the 

 Association, to undertake the reports and researches recommended by its 

 committees in different branches of science. 



The success of these applications will appear from the following state- 

 ment. 



Reports. — 1. The Rev. George Peacock has undertaken to present to the 

 next meeting, a report on the recent progress of Mathematical Analysis, in 

 reference particularly to the differential and integral calculus. 



2. Professor Airy has undertaken a report on the state and progress of 

 Astronomical Science, in reference particularly to Physical Astronomy. 



3. J. W. Lubbock, Esq. has consented to furnish such information respect- 

 ing the data and desiderata for calculating the time and height of high- 

 water as he may be able to offer. 



4. James D. Forbes, Esq. has undertaken to present a report on the pre- 

 sent state of Meteorological Science. 



5. Dr. Brewster has undertaken a report on the progr^s of Optical 

 Science. ** 



6. The Rev. Robert Willis has undertaken a report on the state of our 

 knowledge concerning the Phenomena of Sound, in reference especially to 

 the additions recently made to it. 



7. The Rev. Professor Powell has undertaken a similar report respecting 

 the Phenomena of Heat. 



8. The Rev. Professor Gumming has undertaken a report on the recent 

 progress of Ghemical Science, especially in foreign countries. 



10. The Rev. Professor Whewell has undertaken a report on the state 

 and progress of Mineralogical Science. 



11. Robert Stevenson, Esq. has undertaken the report recommended by 

 the Geological and Geographical Committee, on the waste and extension of 

 the land on the east coast of Britain, and on the question of the permanence 

 of the relative level of the sea and land. 



12. Professor Lindley has undertaken to give an account of the principal 

 questions recently settled, or still agitated, in the Philosophy of Botany. 



Researches. — There is reason to hope that the earnest wish expressed by 

 the Mathematical and Physical Committee, that a register of the thermome- 

 ter, during every hour of the day and night, should be kept at some station 

 in the south of England, will be realized at Plymouth under the superin- 

 tendence of Mr. Harvey, with the enlightened concurrence of those who 

 have the pov/er of enabling him to render this public service to science. 



The law of the decrease of temperature with increasing elevations in the 

 atmosphere, will be illustrated by a continuation of experiments with bal- 

 loons by the Earl of Minto. 



The secretaries of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society have commenced 

 the observations recommended, on the comparative quantities of rain falling 

 on the top of York Minster and near its base ; and the society has formed a 

 Meteorological Committee, by whose labours other researches, which have 



