ON THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. XI 



francs for "experimental studies" in reference to a destructive malady 

 of the horned cattle over a large part of France. The sum of 10,000 francs 

 will be paid to whomsoever shall discover a preventive or cure. 



The sum of $40,000 has been bequeathed to the French Academy, by 

 Dr. Jecker, of Paris, to found an annual prize for researches in organic 

 chemistry. 



A legacy of $50,000 has been left to Dartmouth College, New Hamp- 

 shire, by Abiel Chandler, of Boston, for the purpose of establishing a 

 school of instruction in the practical and useful arts of life. 



For the purpose of founding a school for instruction in navigation, the 

 sum of $25,000 has been bequeathed by Daniel West, of Salem, Mass. 



A gift of a superior achromatic telescope has been made to the Observa- 

 tory of Williams College, Mass., by Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston. 



A prize of five hundred ducats has been ofiered by the Royal Prussian 

 Academy, at Berlin, for the best work on the nature and mode of action, 

 and resulting constitution, of hydraulic mortar, including the constitution 

 of the zeolites generally, but especially of those produced in the solidifica- 

 tion of mortar. The time allowed is till the 1st of March, 1854. 



Four several prizes, amounting in all to $3000, have been ofiered by F. 

 M. Ray, Esq. , of New York, for various improvements relating to railroad 

 matters ; the first and largest prize, of $1500, to be given for the invention 

 which best secures against the danger arising from collisions, and the 

 breaking of wheels and axles. The premiums are to be open for competi- 

 tion until the next annual fair of the American Institute, at which time 

 the decisions will be made by a committee. The inventions are to be such 

 as can be adopted and put into general use, and the inventors are to retain 

 their right, in all cases, to secure patents. 



A government school of mines was opened in London, on the 7th of 

 November, under the direction of Sir H. De la Beche, Director General of 

 the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This institution is connected with 

 the Museum of Practical Geology, and has for its officers the best talent 

 in the United Kingdom. Among them are Edward Forbes, Professor of 

 Natural History ; Dr. Playfair, Professor of Chemistry ; Robert Hunt, 

 Professor of Mechanical Science ; Mr. Ramsay, Professor of Mining Engi- 

 neering, and others. 



A project is on foot, in the southern and central portions of Illinois, for 

 the establishment of an industrial university, in which the science of agri- 

 culture and the principles of mechanism shall be practically taught. The 

 fund for this purpose, now at the command of the State, has accrued from 

 the action and foresight of the constitutional convention assembled at Kas- 

 kaskia, in August, 1818, in accepting certain propositions of Congress in 

 relation to certain lands for school purposes. 



The American Institute, of New York, has issued a circular, proposing the 



