French National Institute. 229 



M. Boiivard ill the Imperial Observatory, and was sent 

 with M. Biot to Spain, where, by himself and in conjunc- 

 tion svitb that gemleman, he measured the altitude of the 

 pole, the azimuth, the length of the pendulum, some 

 grand triangles, and executed successfully the most delicate 

 operations of astronomy. 



M. Arago, having been made prisoner in the course of 

 his travels, escaped from iVlajorca, and took refuge in Al- 

 giers, but was again taken in a Spanish vessel, when re- 

 turnitig to France in an Alge.rme slc-op, and carried pri- 

 soner In Palamos, near Rosas, from which place we hope 

 he will be relieved by the victorious French arms. 



M. Mathieu, who supplied M. Arago's place in the 

 Observatory when the latter went to Spain, and who after- 

 wards, when sent to I'ourdeaux, Figeac. and Clermont, 

 measured at these' three stations, in company with M. Biol, 

 the length of the ])en(luluin, is now occupied at Dunkirk 

 in sinnlar operations. 



In deciding on the claims of these two gentlemen, the 

 Institute reflected that Ivl. Arago had recently received a 

 more lasting recompense for liis services in being appointed 

 to the Board of Lfjiicitude. The medal has therefore been 

 adjudtjid lo M. Mathieu, as an encouragement to proceed 

 with his scientific labours. 



Analysis of the Laloiirs of the Class of Mathematical and 

 Phyiical Sciences. By M. Delambkk. 



The historv of tlie Class of Mathematical Sciences this 

 year affords a remarkable circumstance, — one of the most 

 difficult and important points of the mundane system treated 

 with the same success, althouiih by very different methods, 

 bv two geometricians of the first rank, who arrive by va- 

 rious routes at the same conclusion, — a circumstance not 

 less worthy nt aiiention : the idea of thi-^ labour occurred 

 to thim on the occasion of a memoir not less interesting, 

 read to the elass by a young geometrician, who, m the 

 first steps of his career, has proved himself a fit associate 

 for his Miperiois in years. 



These mutual succours afforded by men of science to 

 each other, which produce others not less fortunate and 

 frequently easier, are advantages peculiar to the mathemati- 

 cal sciences over irentTal lit. ralure. In the former branch 

 of literature a new truth, an elc;:rint theorem, islikea light- 

 house, which exhibits its lustre at a distance, and renders 

 praelicable, routes which were thoneht impervious. 



P 3 " In 



