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 LXVin. Proceedings of Learned and other Societies, 



SOCIETr OF THE FRIENDS OF THE SCIENCES AT WARSAW. 



An their public sitting of May 5, this Society proposed tUe 

 following 



Prize Questions: 



I. The formation of saltpetre was formerly much more 

 considerable than at present in several provinces of the ci- 

 devant Poland ; so that it formed an important article of 

 commerce. The Society, therefore, recjuires an answer ta 

 the following question : — let, Arc there in these provinces 

 any kinds of earth from which saltpetre can be obtained 

 by lixiviation without any further preparation ; and where 

 are these earths found ? 2d, The Society requires a che- 

 mical examination of the mould or upper strata of earth 

 in those parts of the Ukraine and Podolia which formerly 

 produced, or still produce, the greatest quantity of saltpetre, 

 in regard to the formation of this salt at the place of ob- 

 servation. 3d, A comparison of the Polish saltpetre, as 

 sold in commerce, in regard to purity, with that manufac- 

 tured in other countries, and particularly that of Bengal. 

 4th, An accurate description of the process by which salt- 

 petre is obtained and refined in the different manufactories 

 of the Ukraine and Podolia. 5th, \Vhcther the new che- 

 mistry afFoi-ds any means of improving these processes, so 

 that saltpetre may be obtained at a cheaper rale and in a 

 greater state of purity. 6th, A comparison of the expenses 

 of manufacturing saltpetre according to the new French, 

 the German, and the Polish method. 7th, A comparison 

 of the East India saltpetre with the saltpetre made in 

 the different manufactories of Europe, both before the 

 year 1790 and at the present time. 8th, Plan for carrying 

 on trade with this production in the most advantageous 

 manner, so as to make it pay for the expenses of manufac- 

 turing it. 



II. It is well known that a considerable and advantageous 

 trade was formerly carried on, and particularly at Venice, 

 with the Polish cochineal or czerwicc {coccus Poloniais 

 iinctorins). The Society therefore requires, 1st, A com- 

 plete natural history of czerwicc, with an account of the 

 difference between the real Polish cochineal and \.\\(i false, 

 which is 59 often sold for the real czerwicc ; and how this 



3 deception 



