Hassler, respecting Ounce Weights, (27th Cong., 1st Sess., Ho. of Reps. Doc. No. 33.)—From the same.

Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting Report of Mr. Hassler, showing the progress made in the Coast Survey, (27th Cong., 2d Session, Ho. of Reps. Doc. No. 28,) (four copies.)— From the same.

Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, respecting Expenditures, &c., of the Coast Survey, (27th Cong., 2d Sess., Ho. of Reps. Doc. No. 57.)-From the same.

Statements and documents relative to the establishment of Steam Navigation in the Pacific, &c., &c.; London, 1838.-From Wm. C. Zantzinger.

The Western Shepherd, &c., &c., by George Flower, of Illinois.From the Author.

New Views of the Origin of the Tribes and Nations of America, by Benjamin Smith Barton, M. D.; Philadelphia, 8vo. 1798.—From Thomas Pennant Barton, of Philadelphia, son of the author. Observations on some parts of Natural History, to which is prefixed an account of several remarkable vestiges of an ancient date, which have been discovered in different parts of North-America, by the same. From the same.

Memoir concerning the disease of Goitre, as it prevails in different parts of North-America, by the same; Philadelphia, 1800.From the same.

Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsylvania, by the same.— From the same.

Catalogue of rare, curious and useful Books, &c., for sale by J. Pennington, Philadelphia; 1841.-From H. A. Goldsborough. Phytologia, or Philosophy of Agriculture and Gardening, with the theory of draining Morasses, &c., by E. Darwin, M. D.; Dublin, 1800; 8vo.-From Francis Markoe, Jr.

Method of using the Chloride of Soda, &c., &c., by A. G. Labarraque, &c.; translated by Jacob Porter, 1833.-From Jacob Por

ter.

Topographical description and historical sketch of Plainfield, Massachusetts, 1834, by the same.-From the same.

Instructions and Observations concerning the use of the Chlorides of Soda and Lime, by A. G. Labarraque, translated by the same, 1840. From the same.

Lecture on the connection and reciprocal influence between the Brain and Stomach, by Usher Parsons, M. D.; Providence, 1841.From the Author.

List of the Geological Society of London, 1839.-From Dr. R. Harlan, M. D., Philadelphia.

Archæologia Americana; Transactions and Collections of the American Antiquarian Society, vol. 2; Cambridge, 1836; containing observations on the Indian tribes of North-America and their languages; by the Hon. Albert Gallatin.-From Mr. Gallatin. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. 1 to No. 9; December, 1841.-From the Academy. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, vol. 2 to No. 20; November and December, 1841.-From the Society.

Aggregate of the Statistics of the United States, on the 1st June, 1840, taken by the Marshals, in pursuance of an Act of Congress, passed 3d March, 1839.-From William A. Weaver, Superintending Clerk of the Sixth Census.

Transactions of the Maryland Academy of Science and Literature, vol. 1, part 1; Baltimore, 1837.-From J. T. Ducatel, M. D. Third Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, at Quincy Hall, Boston, September 20, 1841.-From the Hon. Samuel T. Armstrong.

American Natural History-Mastology; by J. D. Godman, M. D.; second edition.-From T. B. J. Frye, M. D.

Feltham's Resolves, 1631.-From J. J. Greenhough.

History of the Conquest of Mexico, 1568.-From R. B. Fowler. Discourse on the Revolutions of the Globe, by Cuvier. From R. B. Fowler.

On the Coral formation of the Pacific Ocean, by S. P. Couthouy.From the Author.

Monograph of the family Osteodesmacea of Deshays, by the same.From the Author.

First and Second Book of Natural History, by W. S. W. Ruschenberger, Surgeon U. S. Navy. From the Author.

History of the Bible, (in Chinese characters.)-From Geo. Fuller. The Corresponding Secretary reported the following letters and

communications.

From Henry J. Rogers, of Baltimore:

BALTIMORE, January 10, 1842.

SIR: I have the honor to present for consideration before the "National Institution for the Promotion of Science," the model of a Land and Marine Telegraph, of which I am the inventor.

For land operations, its simplicity may recommend it to favorable notice.

For sea service, it has been pronounced by several nautical gentlemen as being better adapted than any other system of telegraph now in use, as the signals are made with the same means on land or afloat.

The nature of my invention for sea service, consists in the application of balls, by being placed opposite to corresponding balls, which are attached to cordage at equal distances apart.

For land service, five circular boards of equal diameter, and of equal distance apart, attached to a perpendicular staff of sufficient size and elevation, with four or more additional balls raised by chains opposite to the circular boards or nume.

rators.

I will proceed to describe its construction and operation for land service, which is as follows: I construct in the first place, a staff or mast sixty feet in height; which has attached to it, at the distance of twenty-three feet above the earth, a circular board of three feet diameter, and at intervals of three feet, I place four moro circular boards or numerators.

The circular boards and interstices, I term numerators; the first circular board I count as one, the second as three, the third as five, the fourth as seven, and the fifth as nine; also, I count the first interstice as two, the second as four, the third as eight, and the fifth as ten; each of which being counted, numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

The circular boards of three feet diameter being placed at intervals of three feet apart on the perpendicular staff, and facing the observer, can be seen at a great dis. tance, and are easily distinguished from the interstices. I also use a horizontal yard-arm, which is attached at the centre horizontally to the staff, and six feet above the highest circular board, on which yard there is attached a board of a quarter of a circle, one of a semi-circle, and one of a segment or three-fourths of a circle, which I designate as markers. The last mentioned is placed on one end of the arm, presenting the same face as the circular boards, the next at a distance of four and a half or five feet, the other is placed five feet from the opposite end of the yard arm, to which there is a block; and to each of the markers I have a block, through which blocks pass light chains, and these chains run to windlasses within the "telegraph house," for the purpose of elevating the balls termed denominators, attached to the chains.

The first of which balls, attached to chain running to a single block, is termed units. The second ball, which is attached to chain running to block attached to quarter-circle or marker, is termed tens. Third ball, which is attached to chain running to block attached to semi-circular board or marker, is termed hundreds. Fourth ball, which is attached to chain running to block attached to three-quarter circular board or marker, is termed thousands.*

When the denominators are raised opposite to a numerator, they count thus: Units, the number opposite the ball; tens, ten times the number opposite the ball; and all other balls used to count in tenfold proportion. By this method, and using more balls, any amount of numbers may be signalled, to correspond with a "telegraph vocabulary." Within the "telegraph house," a dial is attached to each windlass, with an index pointing when a certain ball or denominator is opposite a cor. tain numerator. I also use an index arm of eight or ten feet in length, attached on a pivot, worked by rods, to make signals to converse, count, spell, &c.

For sea service, I substitute balls made of canvass, covering a light iron frame, attached to cordage at equal distances apart, on the same principle as for land service.

My system may be used at night by substituting for the balls of the marine telegraph, lanterns or transparent balls.

Having thus described as well as I am able, the manner of constructing and using my telegraph for land and sea service, and night signals, I will state what I claim therein, and for what I desire to secure letters patent; namely, for the within described manner of arranging and placing the circular boards, balls, lights, and interstices, termed numerators, which number from one to ten inclusive. I also claim for the application of the balls, termed denominators, counting as units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and all additional balls, lights, &c., increasing in any propor. tion.

The signals for telegraph communications are variously stated, by fire signals, flags, shutters, and arms; the first of which can only be used at night with success. The second has objections during a calm, and while there is a shifting wind, cannot be readily recognised, owing to the undulatory motion of the flag, which prevents the different signals from being readily recognised, and causes delay and uncertainty. Shutters and arms are objectionable, as they cannot be used at sea, or at night. The advantages which my system of telegraph has over the others are:1st. Its simplicity of numeration.

2d. All the siginals denoting any number are up at the same time, and cannot be mistaken for any other than those intended to be communicated, as each ball expresses its appropriate figure.

3d. It may be used in either calm or rough weather.

4th. By substituting lights, we have a system of numeration by night.

5th. The advantage over the system in present use, is numerating perpendicularly, from one to ten inclusive.

6th. The signals may be distinguished at a greater distance than those made by either flags or shutters.

I also submit for your perusal a "telegraph vocabulary," which, owing to the

No. 2.

• Which balls read thus: Units, tens, hundreds, thousands.

12

frequent use of the same numbers for different words might be simplified, as it is divided into different classes, which use the same numerators for different words and sentences, which doubtless must create confusion.

I am engaged compiling one, for use either on land or afloat, which will contain all required words or phrases used in daily business or political transactions, by which I will be enabled to telegraph any communication.

The above are some of the advantages which my system of telegraph will have, and I avail myself of the present opportunity to give the outline of my vocabulary above mentioned.

I feel thankful to you for the assurance of friendly feeling manifested towards me, while in Washington, and solicit your aid in my behalf to introduce my inven. tion to the notice of the "National Institution," the opinion of which I am desirous to obtain; and being a native born American, I feel a national pride in having the honor to submit the above for consideration before so laudable an Institution. I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

HENRY J. ROGERS.

From Thomas G. Clemson.-Extract.

HAVANA, January 15, 1842.

The ores, &c., contained in the boxes alluded to above, are principally, if not entirely, from the district of Holquine. They will be found interesting, as portray. ing the character of the mineral deposits of that region, as also of the rocks which occur in connection with the ores.

Some of the quartz specimens, you will remark, are very curious. I have found the quartz of the veins in Holquine to resemble in physical properties as well as chemical composition, those varieties of opals which occur in the tertiary forma. tions of the environs of Paris.

Believe in the consideration with which I have the honor to be, most respectfully, yours, &c., THOMAS G. CLEMSON.

From E. Cutbush.-Extract.

GENEVA, NEW YORK, January 20, 1842. SIR Permit me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, informing me of the honor of having been enrolled as a corresponding member of the National Institution, established at Washington for the promotion of science. I beg that you will have the goodness to convey my thanks to the members for this memento of their friendship and recognition of past services in the cause which has been so honorably revived at the seat of Government; and I most sincerely hope that all the objects which engaged the attention of Thomas Law, Esq., and myself, in 1816, in establishing the Columbian Institute, will now meet the approbation and support of the Government, and the scientific men of the District of Columbia. It gives me great pleasure to speak of Thomas Law; he was an enthusiast in the cause of science, the arts, agriculture and manufactures, and no one had the prosperity of the city of Washington more at heart.

I have the honor to subscribe myself, as your obedient servant,

E. CUTBUSH.