O. MISCELLANEOUS. 601 



educational establishment furnishes some details interesting 

 to those in this country who have to teach the experimental 

 and mechanical sciences. The total number of professors 

 employed by the Conservatoire is fourteen, and the smallest 

 number of lectures given annually by any. one professor is 

 forty; the number of persons who attend each lecture is 

 about 240. Originally intended as a collection of machines, 

 instruments, and tools for the instruction of workmen, it was 

 subsequently authorized to extend its sphere to all works of 

 art and science. The system of lectures now carried on be- 

 gan in 1820, in consequence of a royal decree of the previous 

 year. Up to that time instruction had been given only by 

 sight, as it w 7 ere, by allowing the public almost free access to 

 the immense collection of machines, models, tools, drawings, 

 books, etc. The instruction is free to all, without any con- 

 dition for admission or any examination. To the honor of 

 the workmen, who form a large majority of the 200,000 at- 

 tendants on the lectures, it must be said that a more attentive 

 audience can not be found. Never does the slightest disor- 

 der arise ; and even during the unhappy events attending 

 the recent Franco-German war the Conservatoire was always 

 respected, and underwent no disturbance or invasion. 



PRIZE FOR AN ESSAY ON THE HARDNESS AND FRIABILITY 



OF STEEL. 



The Academy of Sciences of Berlin has offered a prize of 

 $200, payable July, 1876, for the best essay recording exper- 

 iments as to whether changes in the hardness and friability 

 of steel are due to chemical or physical causes, or both. Pa- 

 pers, in German, Latin, English, or French, are to be sent in 

 before March, 1876. 12.4, A ugust 27, 1874, 344. 



MEETING OF THE FRENCH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCE- 

 MENT OF SCIENCE. 



The French Association for the Advancement of Science 

 held its session for the present year at about the same time 

 as the British Association, and a little later than the corre- 

 sponding body of savans in the United States, commencing 

 on the 20th of August, and closing on the 27th. It was pre- 

 sided over by Professor Wurtz, and maintained its interest 

 throughout. The meeting was very full, and a large number 



Cc 



