442 Annual Meeting of the 



less, that the question is not resolved in a manner sufficiently 

 conclusive to allow of the prize being awarded to him ; and 

 the question is repeated for a reply before the 1st Jany. 1840. 



Thirdly, a reply to the following question, written in Dutch. 

 Professor Brunner, of Berne, having proposed a new method 

 of analysing atmospheric air, a method which allows of the 

 employment of a larger volume of air than the ordinary mode 

 of procedure, and consequently furnishes more certain results ; 

 the Society proposes this question. — " To what degree is the 

 analyzation of the air perfected by the method just alluded to? 

 What improvement can be made in the apparatus of which 

 we are to make use, in order to analyse any quantity of air as 

 may be judged necessary ? What are the positive results ob- 

 tained in this manner? " The Society considers that this pa- 

 per does not merit the reward. 



The Society has decided upon repeating the seven following 

 questions, replies to which are to be sent in before the 1st of 

 January, 1840. 



I. — Since the metamorphoses and economy of a great num- 

 ber of insects are still unknown to us, and as it is desirable 

 that our knowledge in this respect should advance, especially 

 with regard to noxious insects, in order to deduce the best 

 means of arresting the increase of these animals ; the Society 

 is desirous of receiving, First, a treatise, illustrated by plates, 

 on the metamorphoses of at least fifty species of Coleopter- 

 ous insects ; as many as possible of which shall be indigenous 

 to Holland, and of which the metamorphoses and economy 

 are either unknown, or undescribed. Secondly, a methodical 

 distribution of Coleopterous insects, founded upon their me- 

 tamorphoses, and the structure of their larva and pupa. — 

 Thirdly, a paper of instructions, founded upon an acquain- 

 tance with their metamorphoses, pointing out the most effec- 

 tual means to obviate an excessive multiplication of these in- 

 jurious insects. 



II. — What is known of the history of migratory fishes, es- 

 pecially of those which serve for the food or other purposes 

 of man ? It is requested that any works referred to may be 

 notified with precision ; and that, by a critical examination, 

 the degree of credit to be attached to the information made 

 use of, may be ascertained. 



III. — However important may be the recent researches in 

 the chemistry of organic bodies, it cannot be denied that, for 

 the most part, they relate to the examination of vegetable ra- 

 ther than of animal substances. With a view therefore of con- 

 tributing something towards the promotion of animal chemis- 

 try, the Society requests an exact examination of the substan- 



