OeographicAl Collection^. 8W- 



The bas reliefs representing the adoration of the crosS, like that represented in 

 the work of Rio, sliould be sought after. 



It would be of importance to recognize the analogies which exist between these 

 different edifices, considered as the work of the same art and of the same people. 



In the geographical relations, the Society demands more especially particular 

 maps of the cantons in which these ruins are situated, accompanied by topogra> 

 phical plans, the maps should be constructed according to the exact methods. 

 They further demand the absolute height of the principal points above the level 

 of the sea ; and remarks on the physical state and productions of the country. 



The Society also asks for researches on the traditions relating to the ancient 

 people to whom the construction of these monuments is attributed ; with obser- 

 vations on the manners and customs of the natives, and vocabularies of the 

 ancient idioms. What the traditions relate as to the age of these edifices must 

 be more particularly inquired into, as well as whether it is well proved that the 

 figures drawn with a certain degree of correctness were anterior to the conqueit. 



Lastly, the author will collect all that is known on the Votan or Wodan of 

 the Chiapanais, — a personage compared by De Humboldt to Odin and to Boudha. 



A gold medal of the value of 1000 francs, will be given for the best memoir on 

 the origin of the Asiatic negroes. According to the Chinese historians, negro 

 races have inhabited the mountains of Kuenlun to the north of Thibet. There 

 exist some traces of the same race in the mountains which separate the Annam 

 from Cambodia. The nation of the Sameng, in the mountains of the peninsula 

 of Malacca, is also the remains of a negro race. They speak a particular lan- 

 guage, which is mingled with the Malay. This latter language is met with 

 amongst the negroes of Oceanica ; and, in general, we find that their exists some 

 relation between these tribes of the Malay race — a race which, as is well known, 

 extends itself from the Island of Formosa as far as Madagascar, and from New 

 Holland to the Sandwich Islands. 



A memoir of researches on the question relative to the origin of these negro 

 tribes is demanded. 



It is also desirable that the author should make us acquainted with, and should 

 compare together, the different negro races which have inhabited the different 

 countries of oriental Asia, and that he should expose the relations which may 

 have taken place between them and the 3Ialay race. It is to be desired that the 

 author shall found his researches on the Chinese historians. 



The Society offers a medal, value 800 francs, and another of 400, for essays on 

 the geography of France. It demands a physical description of any part of the 

 French territory that constitutes a natural region. 



The physical and moral relations of man, when they give origin to new obser- 

 vations, should be connected with the description of a region. 



The memoir should be accompanied by a map indicating the trigonometrical 

 and barometrical elevations of the principal points, as well as the slope and rapi. 

 dity of the rivers, and the limits of the different vegetations. 



The society furthers offers a gold medal to everv' one who shall have procured 

 the geometric levelling of a suitable part of the course of the firths and principal 

 rivers of France. 



Three medals granted by M. Perrot of the Society, are offered to the authors 

 of the most extended and exact barometrical levellings made on the line of divi- 

 sion of the waters of the great basins of France. 



The society desires that the memoirs be written in French or in Latin ; but the 

 works may be published in English, Italian, Spanish, or in Portuguese. All me. 

 moirs should be legibly written ; the author must not name himself either in 

 the title or the body of the work. All memoirs must be accompanied by a 

 motto, which must be contained in a sealed paper, with the name and ad. 

 dress of tlie author. All memoirs, letters, &c. must be addressed, post paia, 

 to the President of the Society at Paris, Rue et Passage Dauphine, No. 36. 



