Part 2

The number of articles, almost exclusively original, contained in the Journal is about 1800, and the Index will show how many have been contributed by each individual; we have doubtless included in this number _some few_ articles republished from foreign Journals--but we think they are even more than counterbalanced by original communications without a name and by editorial articles, both of which have been generally omitted in the enumeration.

Of smaller articles and notices in the Miscellany, we have not made any enumeration, but they evidently are more numerous than the regular articles, and we presume that they may amount to at least 2500.

Of party, either in politics or religion, there is no trace in our work; of personalities there are none, except those that relate to priority of claims or other rights of individuals. Of these vindications the number is not great, and we could heartily have wished that there had been no occasion for any.

* * * * *

During twenty years from the inception of this Journal, the editor labored alone, although overtures for editorial coöperation had been made to him by gentlemen commanding his confidence and esteem, and who would personally have been very acceptable. It was, however, his opinion that the unity of purpose and action so essential to the success of such a work were best secured by _individuality_; but he made every effort, and not without success, to conciliate the good will and to secure the assistance of gentlemen eminent in particular departments of knowledge. On the title page of No. 1, Vol. xxxiv, published in July, 1838, a new name is introduced: the individual to whom it belongs having been for several years more or less concerned in the management of the Journal, and from his education, position, pursuits and taste, as well as from affinity, being almost identified with the editor, he seemed to be quite a natural ally, and his adoption into the editorship was scarcely a violation of individual unity. His assistance has proved to be very important:--his near relation to the senior editor prevents him from saying more, while justice does not permit him to say less.

It may be interesting to our readers to know something of the patronage of the Journal. It has never reached one thousand paying subscribers, and has rarely exceeded seven or eight hundred--for many years it fluctuated between six and seven hundred.

It has been far from paying a reasonable editorial compensation; often it has paid nothing, and at present it does little more than pay its bills. The number of engravings and the extra labor in printer's composition, cause it to be an expensive work, while its patronage is limited.

It has a large gratuitous distribution, both at home and abroad, and an extensive good-will exchange with works often having no particular bearing upon its peculiar objects. It has incurred a heavy extra expenditure in reprinting exhausted numbers, for the purpose of furnishing entire sets of the work. No application for an entire set has ever yet been disappointed, and complete sets of the volumes are to be found in many institutions and in the hands of many individuals, both in Europe and in the United States. Entire sets have often been presented gratuitously to our infant colleges and to scientific institutions and distinguished individuals in Europe. A few remain on hand, and it is our intention to furnish them as long as we can afford to republish, or can repurchase numbers that have run out.

* * * * *

The series of volumes must ever form a work of permanent interest on account of its exhibiting the progress of American science during the long period which it covers. Comparing 1817[C] with 1847, we mark on this subject a very gratifying change. The cultivators of science in the United States were then few--now they are numerous. Societies and associations of various names, for the cultivation of natural history, have been instituted in very many of our cities and towns, and several of them have been active and efficient in making original observations and forming collections. The American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at Boston, and the Academy of Natural Sciences also at Philadelphia, numbered distinguished names among their members, and had published valuable volumes of Transactions before our publication began. The Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences had also published a single volume as early as 1813. Since that time the Lyceum of Natural History of New York, the Boston Society of Natural History, the Albany Institute, and the Maryland Academy of Sciences have stood prominent among associations of a like nature, and their memoirs now constitute an important item in our scientific history. Other associations for the departments of history and ethnography have also published memoirs; and we must not omit to mention the American Geological Society, and the Geological Society of Pennsylvania, which has issued one valuable volume.

Of scientific collections we may say, that in the Institution from which we date these remarks, going back only fourteen years from the issuing of our first number, the entire mineralogical and geological collection of the college was transported to Philadelphia in one small box, and there, for lack of information elsewhere, the specimens were named by the late Dr. Adam Seybert, then fresh from the celebrated school of Werner at Freiburg in Germany, perhaps the only man then in this country who could be regarded as a mineralogist scientifically trained. Now, mineralogy and geology are familiar to our legislators and our youth; and the institution which sent forth its little box of unknown mineral treasures, unfolds to its pupils and the world a magnificent collection not surpassed, if equalled, in the United States.

Boston, which at our earliest date presented only the limited collection of the Linnæan Society, now opens to the student a rich and beautiful museum of natural history; and Harvard University at Cambridge has a fine botanical garden under an able and zealous botanist--a well furnished and successful observatory, and a rich collection of minerals and fossils, including a skeleton of the Mastodon, which is rivalled only by the specimen of unexampled magnitude and perfection, in the private museum of Dr. John C. Warren in Boston.

Philadelphia may also boast of her cabinets of natural history, public and private: and one of the noblest collections of birds in the world,[D] bestowed on his country by Mr. Wilson of Delaware, has been, within a few months, added to the valuable collections of the Academy of Natural Sciences at that place.

When we began our Journal, not one of the States had been surveyed in relation to its geology and natural history; now those that have not been explored are few in number. State collections and a United States Museum hold forth many allurements to the young naturalist, as well as to the archæologist and the student of his own race. The late Exploring Expedition with the National Institute, has enriched the capital with treasures rarely equalled in any country, and the Smithsonian Institution recently organized at Washington, is about to begin its labors for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.

It must not be forgotten that the American Association of Geologists and Naturalists--composed of individuals assembled from widely separate portions of the Union--by the seven sessions which it has held, and by its rich volume of reports, has produced a concentration and harmony of effort which promise happy results, especially as, like the British Association, it visits different towns and cities in its annual progress.

Astronomy now lifts its exploring tubes from the observatories of many of our institutions. Even the Ohio, which within the memory of the oldest living men, rolled along its dark waters through interminable forests, or received the stains of blood from deadly Indian warfare, now beholds on one of its most beautiful hills, and near its splendid city, a permanent observatory with a noble telescope sweeping the heavens, by the hand of a zealous and gifted observer. At Washington also, under the powerful patronage of the general government, an excellent observatory has been established, and is furnished with superior instruments, under the direction of a vigilant and well instructed astronomer--seconded by able and zealous assistants.

Here also (in Yale College) successful observations have been made with good instruments, although no permanent building has been erected for an Observatory.

We only give single examples by way of illustration, for the history of the progress of science in the United States, and of institutions for its promotion, during the present generation, would demand a volume. It is enough for our purpose that science is understood and valued, and the right methods of prosecuting it are known, and the time is at hand when its moral and intellectual uses will be as obvious as its physical applications. Nor is it to be forgotten that we have awakened an European interest in our researches: general science has been illustrated by treasures of facts drawn from this country, and our discoveries are eagerly sought for and published abroad.

While with our co-workers[E] in many parts of our broad land, we rejoice in this auspicious change, we are far from arrogating it to ourselves. Multiplied labors of many hands have produced the great result. In the place which we have occupied, we have persevered despite of all discouragements, and may, with our numerous coadjutors, claim some share in the honors of the day. We do not say that our work might not have been better done--but we may declare with truth that we have done all in our power, and it is something to have excited many others to effort and to have chronicled their deeds in our annals. Let those that follow us labor with the like zeal and perseverance, and the good cause will continue to advance and prosper. It is the cause of truth--science is only embodied and systematized truth, and in the beautiful conception of our noble Agassiz--"_it tells the thoughts of God_."

* * * * *

Although we are writing a preface to our first series already closed, we may, without impropriety, say something of the Second Series now in successful progress. It began on the first of January, 1846; instead of being quarterly like the First Series, it appears once in two months--six times in a year, giving two volumes of 450 pages each. In this Series, the name of a third editor appears upon the title page, and the remarks which have been already made are, in their spirit and almost in the letter, applicable in the present instance. The _unity_ is still preserved, and both counsel and action--favored by juxta-position and constant intercourse--are almost as if one individual presided alone. It will be perceived, therefore, that we have not departed from the principle which has governed us from the beginning, and when our mantle shall fall, there are those at hand who may, if it be worth the effort, arrest it in its descent and wear it more worthily than we have done.

* * * * *

The portrait prefixed to this volume was engraved for a very different purpose and for others than the patrons of this Journal. It has been suggested by friends, whose judgment we are accustomed to respect, that it ought to find a place here, since it is regarded as an authentic, although, perhaps, a rather austere resemblance. In yielding to this suggestion, it may be sufficient to quote the sentiment of Cowper on a similar occasion, who remarked--"that after a man has, for many years, turned his mind _inside out_ before the world, it is only affectation to attempt to hide his face."

* * * * *

In tracing back the associations of many gone-by years, a host of thoughts rush in, and pensive remembrance of the dead who have labored with us casts deep shadows into the vista through which we view the past.

Anticipation of the hour of discharge, when our summons shall arrive, gives sobriety to thought and checks the confidence which health and continued power to act might naturally inspire, were we not reproved, almost every day, by the death of some coeval, co-worker, companion, friend or patron. This very hour is saddened by such an event,--but we will continue to labor on, and strive to be found at our post of duty, until there is nothing more for us to do; trusting our hopes for a future life in the hands of him who placed us in the midst of the splendid garniture of this lower world, and who has made not less ample provision for another and a better.

Yale College, April 19, 1847.

EXPLANATIONS.

Names of authors and subjects are arranged together alphabetically.

References to species of animals described or noticed in the Journal, though to some extent distributed through the Index, are systematically catalogued under the word _Zoology_. The same plan is followed with _Botany_.

Obituary notices are collected together under _Obituary_.

The references under authors' names, when numerous, are sometimes alphabetized, or distributed according to subjects, but often follow the order of the volumes.

Works reviewed are mentioned under the names of their authors, and also under the word _Works_.

When an article is illustrated by figures or plates, the fact is noted by adding to the number of the page, the letter f.

A Supplement, is added, containing some omitted references.

The list of plates and wood cuts, is arranged according to volumes, and the page or article is mentioned which each illustrates. The numbers in this list indicate the proper order of succession in each volume, and not the numbers that may appear on the plates.

[Footnote A: Vol. xxv, p. 215. Obituary notice of Col. Gibbs.]

[Footnote B: Taken from Vol. i, Am. Jour. Sci. and Arts, pp. v, vi; also pp. 1 to 8, July, 1818.]

[Footnote C: The date of the incipient movements.]

[Footnote D: Late the _Rivoli_ collection of Paris.]

[Footnote E: Especially our ancient compeer, The Journal of the Franklin Institute at Philadelphia.]

ERRATA.

Page 14, col. 1, line 24 from bottom, for "Lea," read "Lee." " 22, " 2, " 22 " " for "368," read "367." " 23, " 2, " 12 " " dele "Barnes, D. W." " 75, " 1, " 15 from top, for "156," read "157." " 86, " 2, " 22 " " for "358," read "354." " 98, " 2, " 4 from bottom, for "xxxiii," read "xxxii." " 156, " 2, " 12 and 13 from bottom, dele the lines. " 185, " 1, " 16 from bottom, for "xxxiii," read "xxiii." " 185, " 1, " 21 " " for "271," read "371." " 212, " 1, " 12 from top, dele "x, 203; xi, 335," and insert the same in the 2d line from top.

Page 287, col. 2, line 21 from top, insert xliii, 390. " 287, " 2, " 3 from bottom, insert xxiv, 151.

[ TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:

The above errata from the printed edition have been applied to this e-text, also see further transcriber notes at the end. ]

INDEX

_Abbot, J. H._, Description of some new electro-magnetic, and magneto-electric instruments and experiments, xl, 104.^f ----, theory of the pneumatic paradox, xxxix, 296^f; xl, 144.^f

Aberration of the fixed stars, _F. Struve_, xlvii, 91.

Absorption in animals, mechanism of, _F. Magendie_, iii, 288.

Academy of Sciences of Philadelphia, history of, xlvii, 6. ---- ---- ----, notice of, viii, 399; xix, 88, 355; xxii, 183. ---- ---- ----, Journal of, when commenced, xix, 91. ---- ---- ----, notice of the Catalogue of the Library, xxxiii, 181. ---- ---- ----, _Dr. Burrough's_ collections, xix, 355. ---- ---- ----, _McClure's_ donation to, xxx, 187. ---- ---- ----, notice of Journal or Proceedings of, xx, 414; xxxix, 395; xlix, 183. ----, Maryland, of Science and Literature, xxx, 192, 395; xxxi, 395; xxxii, 204. ----, Delaware, of Natural Sciences, xxiv, 177. ----, St. Petersburgh, of Sciences, xx, 389; xxii, 203. ----, Stockholm, of Sciences, iv, 387.

Acarus, _Crosse's_, xxxii, 374^f; xxxv, 125^f; xlix, 227. ----, experiments of _W. H. Weekes_, xliii, 395. ----, the supposed microscopic fungus, xliii, 205.^f

Acetic acid, a new process for obtaining from alcohol, xxviii, 358. ---- ----, on crystallizable, _C. Despretz_, xxvii, 197.

Achromatic microscope, improvements in, _E. Thomas_, xx, 265.^f

Acid, acetic, new process for, from alcohol, xxviii, 358. ----, ----, on crystallizable, _C. Despretz_, xxvii, 197. ----, angelicic, xlvii, 196. ----, apocrenic, _Berzelius_, xxviii, 121. ----, argento-cyanic, xviii, 334. ----, aspartic, xvii, 173. ----, benzoic, xlix, 194. ----, of butter, volatile, _J. U. Lezch_, xlix, 202. ----, boracic, of Tuscany, ii, 349; xxviii, 143; xxxvii, 270. ----, ----, in the waters of Vulcano, ii, 349. ----, butyric, xlviii, 186. ----, carbonic, see _carbonic acid_. ----, chlorovinic, _A. A. Hayes_, xxii, 142. ----, chlorovinous, xxii, 142. ----, citric, from gooseberries, xvi, 385. ----, citricic, _S. Baup_, xxxiv, 206. ----, columbic, _A. A. Hayes_, xlvi, 166. ----, crenic, _J. Berzelius_, xxviii, 121. ----, cyanic, xvi, 258. ----, formic, see _formic acid_. ----, gallic, new process for, _E. N. Kent_, xlvi, 78. ----, hydriodic, preparation of, xvi, 383; xlvii, 192. ----, hydrobromic, xlvii, 192. ----, hydrochloric, experiments with reference to, _Macaire_ and _de la Rive_, xi, 393. ----, hydro-carbo-sulphuric, preparation of, vii, 187. ----, hydroxanthic, vii, 376. ----, iodic, xx, 185; xxviii, 136. ----, ----, combinations with vegetable alkalies, xix, 371. ----, kinic, detection of, _J. Stenhouse_, xlix, 391. ----, malic, _M. Liebig_, xxi, 156. ----, meconic, mode of obtaining, _R. Hare_, xii, 293. ----, metagallic, _M. Pelouze_, xxviii, 126. ----, muriatic, see _Muriatic_. ----, nitric, see _Nitric_. ----, opianic, xlvii, 196; xlix, 205. ----, opiano-sulphurous, xlix, 205. ----, oxalic, _Gay Lussac_, xxvii, 400. ----, phosphovinic, _M. Pelouze_, xxviii, 129. ----, prussic, see _Prussic_. ----, pyrocitric, vii, 187. ----, pyrogallic, _M. Pelouze_, xxviii, 126. ----, pyroligneous, ii, 340; v, 188; ix, 201; xiii, 175. ----, rosaic, in urine, xvii, 385. ----, saccharic, _M. Heintz_, xlviii, 193. ----, silicic, see _Silica_. ----, succinic, xlvii, 196. ----, sulphacetic, _M. Melsens_, xlviii, 193. ----, sulphuric, see _Sulphuric_. ----, sulphurous, see _Sulphurous_. ----, tartaric, manufacture at Glasgow, xli, 50. ----, of tomatos, xvii, 115. ----, uric, _Liebig_, xxxiv, 40.

Acids and salts, _R. Hare's_ views on, xxvii, 63, 67. ----, on the formation of, in vegetables, _M. Vauquelin_, xviii, 150.

Acoustic rainbow, xxi, 381.

Actinolite, in Canada, viii, 68. ----, glassy, from Concord, Penn., analysis of, _H. Seybert_, vi, 331. ----, in Connecticut, vi, 226; vii, 253; viii, 259. ----, in Maryland, xiv, 12. ----, in Massachusetts, i, 114; ii, 236; viii, 48, 235; ix, 54; x, 214. ----, in New Jersey, v, 246. ----, in New York, ix, 243, 250. ----, in North Carolina, v, 261. ----, in Pennsylvania, viii, 239; ix, 246; xiv, 9, 12, 13. ----, in Rhode Island, iv, 285; viii, 227; x, 10, 226. ----, in Vermont, iii, 76; iv, 54; v, 40, 271; xvii, 354.

_Adams, C. B._, mollusca of Middlebury, Vt., xl, 266. ----, new species of Thracia, xliii, 145.^f ----, note on the Pasithea sordida of Lea, xlii, 392.

_Adams, E._, divisibility of matter, xxviii, 163.

_Adams, J._, movement of rocks by ice, ix, 136. ----, theory of the construction of the thermometer, viii, 121.

_Adams, S._, observations and experiments on light, xlii, 123.

_Adams, W. A._, human footprints in rocks, and other artificial impressions, xliv, 200.

Adularia, in Connecticut, ii, 239, 240; vi, 221. ----, in Massachusetts, v, 41. ----, in New York, vii, 57.

Adulterations of various substances, on the detection of, _E. D. Faust_, xix, 70. ---- of alcohol, xix, 71. ---- of ammonia, xix, 72. ---- of arrow root, xix, 72. ---- of calomel, xix, 72. ---- of castor oil, xix, 77. ---- of chromate of lead, xix, 73. ---- of copaiva, xix, 73. ---- of iodide of potassium, xix, 74. ---- of lemon juice, xix, 75. ---- of morphine, xix, 75. ---- of oil of sweet almonds, xix, 76. ---- of oil of olives, xix, 76. ---- of peroxide of manganese, xix, 78. ---- of peruvian bark, xix, 81. ---- of phosphate of soda, xix, 82. ---- of prussic acid, xix, 70. ---- of soda, xix, 83. ---- of sulphate of magnesia, xix, 84. ---- of sulphate of quinine, xix, 84. ---- of tartrate of potash, xix, 85. ---- of tartar emetic, xix, 86. ---- of vinegar, xix, 86.

Aerial navigation, principles of, _H. Strait_, xxv, 15.^f

Aerolite, see _Meteorite_.

Aerostation, observations made during an ascent, _E. Robertson_, xii, 166, 325.

Africa, alum and other minerals in a cavern in Southern, xxviii, 290. ----, white race of Atlas in, xxxii, 400. ----, Journey in Northern, by _Ehrenberg_ and _Hemprich_, vii, 195. ----, Northern, geological notices of, iv, 32. ----, geology of desert between Suez and Cairo, xxxiii, 288. ----, geology of Cape of Good Hope, _G. Champion_, xxix, 230.

African Cold Bokkeveld meteorite, notice of, xl, 199. ---- dialects, _J. W. Gibbs_, xxxviii, 41; xxxix, 255.

_Afzelius_, obituary notice of, xxxiii, 211.

_Agardh's_ Systema Algarum, announced, ii, 363; iv, 200.

Agaric mineral in N. York, xxv, 347. ---- ----, in Vermont, iii, 234, 242.

_Agassiz_ on fossil fishes, notice of, xxviii, 193; xxxiv, 212; abstract of, xxx, 33. ----, on the freshwater fishes of Central Europe, xxxix, 390; xlv, 211. ----, on the echinodermata, noticed, xxxiv, 212; xxxvii, 369; xlii, 378; xlv, 399. ----, glaciers and bowlders in Switzerland, xli, 59, 190. ----, former existence of glaciers in Scotland, xli, 191. ----, glacial theory of, xlii, 346.^f ----, visit of, to Mantell's Museum, xxviii, 194. ----, Wollaston medal awarded to, xxx, 382. ----, notice of the several works of, xli, 194.

Agate, in Canada, viii, 64. ----, in Connecticut, i, 134; v, 44, 45; vi, 216. ----, in Massachusetts, i, 113, 115; v, 407; vi, 52. ----, in New Jersey, i, 236; ii, 197; v, 239. ----, in North Carolina, v, 261, 264. ----, in Rhode Island, ix, 46. ----, in the Western States, i, 132; iii, 71; vii, 49. ----, cause of red color of, xxxvi, 207. ----, coralline, in the West Indies, i, 141.

Agave plant, and cordage from its fibre, xxi, 32. ---- and other plants used for cordage, _J. Mease_ and _H. Perrine_, xxv, 330.

Agricultural chemistry, remarks on, xli, 262.

Agriculture, rotation of crops in, _M. Macaire_, xxiii, 138.

_Aikin, W. E. A._, notices of the country between Baltimore and the Ohio river, xxvi, 219.^f ----, apparent diminution of weight in some circumstances, xxvii, 224.

Air, on the color of, by _Count Xavier de Maistre_, xxvi, 65. ----, currents in, see _Winds_. ----, temperature of, see _Meteorology, Heat_ and _Temperature_.

Airpump, new, _J. H. Patten_, viii, 143.^f ----, remarks upon, with suggestions, _J. F. Dana_, viii, 275.^f ----, Patten's, remarks in reply to _J. F. Dana_, ix, 92. ----, new, _M. Thilorier_, xxiv, 379. ----, a new construction, _R. Hare_, xxxiii, 237.^f ----, improved, _J. Johnston_, xxxiv, 86.^f ---- receiver, improved, _J. Bell_, xxviii, 353.^f

_Akerly, S._, on the language of signs, viii, 348.

Alabaster (gypsum) of the Mammoth Cave, Ky., xlii, 206.^f

Alasmodonta and Unio, on the genera and species, _D. H. Barnes_, vi, 107^f, 258.^f ----, descriptions of some, xiv, 289; xxv, 341.^f ----, see farther under _Zoology, Mollusca_.