438 PRIZE QUESTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 



accompanied hy the appearance of a multitude of incandescent par- 

 ticles which leap from the surface of the body in combustion, and 

 which, after the experiment, are found in the vessel in which the 

 combustion is operated. The same fact is Avitnessed in the luminous 

 electric arc of a strong pile between two metallic rheophores, especi- 

 ally if they, or even one of them, is of steel or iron. The society 

 desires to receive an explanation founded upon new and decisive 

 researches as to the cause of chis phenomenon. 



The society recalls the fact that last year it propounded the follow- 

 ing questions, that they might be answered before the first of Janu- 

 ary, 1862: 



1. The society requests new researches upon the development and 

 the first phases of the life of the nematoides, especially of those 

 which live in the human body. 



2. As chemical affinities suffer remarkable modifications by change 

 of temperature, and as we can now easily produce very high tem- 

 peratures, the society requests a series of researches upon affinity 

 at very high temperatures. 



3. The conducting power of a metallic wire which has for some 

 time been traversed by a galvanic current becomes diminished; this 

 effect, if it is not constant, at least disappears but slowly. The 

 society wishes for researches into the laws which regulate this phe- 

 nomenon. 



4. A description is wanted of the bony labyrinth of the organ of 

 hearing founded on new researches, and ajjplied to the physiology of 

 the ear. 



5. We want new experimental researches relative to the phenome- 

 non known as fluorescence; the author will especially endeavor to 

 ascertain what relation exists between this phenomenon and the light 

 produced by substances which are luminous in themselves, or which 

 become so by friction or exposure to the sun. 



6. The active state of oxygen (ozone) has already been the object 

 of the researches of many men of science; an analogous state has 

 been believed to have been observed in many other gaseous fluids, 

 but the observations are neither sufficiently numerous nor sufficiently 

 exact. The society wishes to have further light throAvn upon this 

 phenomenon by new researches. 



7. The researches of Spence Bate have made known the fact that 

 some Crustacea construct nests. The society requires an exact ex- 

 amination of that nidification among the species already known in 

 that connexion, and, if possible, among other species. The material 

 of which the nests are constructed, as well as the means of construc- 

 tion employed by the Crustacea, should engage the attention of the 

 author. 



8. Many trees have their stem twisted into a spiral; a general 

 physiological explanation is requested of this phenomenon. 



9. We desire an exact examination of the volcano of the island of 

 Amboyna, (Dutch East Indian archipelago,) which shall perfectly 

 ascertain whether that volcano owes its origin to an upheaving of the 



