Natural History. 195 



for Peruvian bark. It is called by the peasants of Piedmont, 

 where it is found in great abundance in marshy places, the Herb 

 of China. 



7. Plantain-Root a Febrifuge. — Switzerland. — Dr. Perrin has 

 lately read to the Society of Natural Sciences, of which he is a 

 member, observations made on the febrifugal virtues of the 

 roots of the plantain (plantago major, minor , et latifolia, Linn.) 

 He is of opinion that it may be employed with advantage in 

 intermittents. The question may easily be decided, as the plant 

 is common every where. ^ 



8. Medical Prize Question. — A satisfactory answer not having 

 been given to the question, " Can the existence of Idiopathic 

 fever be doubted," proposed last year by the Soci^te de M^di- 

 dne of Paris, it is re-proposed, the greatest latitude being given 

 to candidates, in the choice and developement of their opinions. 



The prize will be a gold medal, of 300 francs value ; but, as 

 a further stimulus, the society will, if there be opportunity, 

 award gold medals, of 100 francs value, to the memoires which 

 may most nearly obtain the prize, and silver medals of emula- 

 tion. 



The concourse will close on the 30th September, 1821. The 

 memoires, written in French or Latin, to be sent, carriage-free, 

 before then, to the Secretaire Generale de la Societe de Medi- 

 cine, Rue St. Avoie, No. 39. 



9. Prize Question. — ^The Academy of Sciences of Paris, pro- 

 pose the following: — " To follow the developement of the 

 triton, or aquatic salamander, in its different degrees from the 

 egg to the perfect animal, and to describe the change which it 

 undergoes interiorly, principally in respect to its osteology and 

 the distribution of its vessels." 



The Prize, of the value of 300 francs, will be adjudged in the 

 public sitting of 1822. The utmost term for the transmission 

 of Memoires is January 1, 1822. 



O 2 



