74 SCIENTIFIO NEWS. 



fsohtvum fuherosnmj, and i\\e winter cherry fs. pseudocap- 

 sicumji which possesses the virtues of a stimulant, and of 

 destroying the pernicious principle in narcotic plants. 



In consequence of this want of an exterior and natural 

 certain sign, by which poisonouS plants might be immedi- 

 ately detected, it would be desirable, to tind out some easy 

 method of examining them, such foi- instance as a kind of 

 eudiometer, or any thing that might produce changes in 

 them, which, like the black colour assumed by mushroom* 

 when they are boiling, might indicate their noxio^us quali- 

 ties ; though it must be confessed, the criterion of poisonous 

 mushrooms is not yet sulficiently established, 



" An easy method is therefore required, by which any indi" 

 vidua/, not having the least knowledge of botany, may deled 

 poisonous plants; in a short time, at a small expense, and in a 

 manner perfectly decisive.'^ 



The prize is one hundred Dutch ducats [^£46 58.1 and 

 the precise time, after which no memoir can be admitted to 

 the competition, is the 1st of July, 1808. 



The academy invites the learned of all nations, without 

 excluding its honorary members and correspondents, to in- 

 vestigate this subject. 



The learned who compete for the prize are not to put their 

 names to their works, but merely a sentence, or motto ; and 

 send with them sealed notes, which must have the same 

 motto on the outside, and the author's name, quality, and 

 place of residence, witliin. The note of the piece to which 

 the pnze is adjudged will be opened, and the rest shall be 

 burned unopened. 



The tracts should be written in legible characters, either 

 in Russian, French, English, German, or Latin, and must 

 be addressed to the permanent secretary of the academy, 

 who will deliver to the person appointed by tiie author a re- 

 . .>ceipt, marked with the same motto and number as sliall be 

 inscribed on the piece. The successful memoir is to be the 

 property of the academy, without whose formal permission 

 the author shall not print it. 



The rest of the tracts may be received back from the 

 secretary, who will deliver them at St. Petersburgh to any 

 person commissioned by the author to apply for them. 



Discovery 



