57 2 French National Institute. 



materials ; and what is the best raethoil of preventing these 

 bad effects ? 



3. What has experience taught us on the subject of puri- 

 fying putrid water, or other things, by means of charcoal ? 

 liow far can we explain its action on chemical grounds j 

 and what further advantage can we derive therefrom ? 



4. What is the real difference, in properties and consist- 

 ency, between sugar extracted from sugar-canes, and that 

 which is the produce of some trees and plants ? Does the 

 latter contain true sugar ; or can we alter it into true sugar ? 



5. What is the cause of the shining of sea water ? Does 

 this arise from the presence of living animals only ? What 

 are these animals ? and do they communicate any deleterious 

 effect to the atmosphere ? This is required to be decided 

 from the result of positive observations; particularly that 

 it may be ascertained how far the shining of the sea, which 

 is very remarkable on the coast of Holland, has any connec- 

 tion with contagious and epidemic diseases. 



6. What is the most probable origin of what is called 

 spermaceti ? Can this substance be separated from whale 

 oil, or be produced therein? and could this be done to ad- 

 vantage? 



FRENCH NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 



Notice of the Mathematical Labours of the Class of Sciences 

 in the Freiich National Institute for the Year preceding 

 the 1st of July 1806. By M. Delambrk, perpetual 

 Secretary. 



To give a hasty sketch of the mathematical labours of this 

 class ; to present it in few words, without, however, omit- 

 ting any thing which might ensure to the different authors 

 the share of applause they have merited ; to detail their dis- 

 coveries by emp'.oying with reserve the language of science; 

 to notice their difficult and abstract researches, and at the 

 same time show their importance, if it does not show their 

 whole merit in detail : such is the task which is imposed 

 upon us, and the object we attempt, without flattering our- 

 selves we shall be able to attain it. 



We 



