igo Prizes founded hy the Firjl Conful> &e. 



degree of intensity lefs fenfible, but no lefs real, in a number 

 of animals much greater than has hitherto been believed } 

 An exact analyfis or* thefe effects, a complete explanation of 

 the mechanifm which determines them, and a companion 

 of them with thofe exhibited by the Voltaic pile, would, per- 

 haps, afford a key to the nioft important fecrets in the ani- 

 mal economy. Bv thus confideriw* the aggregate of thefe 

 phaendmena, one forefees the pofiibility of a grand difcovery, 

 which, by unveiling a new law of nature, may conduct them 

 to the fame caufe, and connect them with thofe which the 

 motion of electricity has presented us in minerals. 



Of thefe confederations the clafs was, no doubt, fenfible; 

 and if it did not propofe a prize for the improvement of this 

 part of philofophy, it was for this reafon that, as the extent 

 of the fubje6l ieemed to require more than one competition, 

 it could not devote to it exclufively encouragements which it 

 owes to ufeful knowledge in general. However, each of its 

 members, and all the learned of Europe, ardently defired 

 that the refearches of philofophers might be directed to- 

 wards this important object, and they ought to congratulate 

 themfelves on feeing their wifh accompli (lied in the moft 

 complete manner. 



To fulfil the intentions of the firft conful, and give to the 

 competition all the folemnity which the importance of the 

 object, the nature of the prize, and the character of the 

 founder require, the commiffion unanimoufly propofe as 

 follows : 



The Clafs of the Mathematical and PhyficaJ Sciences of 

 the National Infhtute opens the general competition required 

 by the firft confuh 



All the learned of Europe, even the members and aflb- 

 ciates of the Inftitute, are admitted to the competition. 



The clafs does not require that the memoirs ihould be im- 

 mediateh' addrefled to it. Every year it will crown the au- 

 thor of the beft experiments which (hall come to its know- 

 ledge, and which {hall have advanced the progrefs of the 

 fcience. 



The grand prize will be given to the perfon whofe difco- 

 Yeries fhall form a memorable epoch in the hiftory of elec- 

 tricity and galvanifm. 



The prefent report, containing the letter of the firft confnl, 

 fliall be printed, and ferve as a programme. 



Done at the National Intiitute, Mefiidor u, year 10. 



(Signed) Laplack, Hallk/Coulomb, 

 i I a u v ; and B i o t, reporter. 



The 



