43° _ Proceedings of 
C. Geoffroy read a memoir, from which it refults that 
the oftrich exhibits only the rudiments of that organifation 
neceflary for flying. All the apparent inftruments of flying 
in that bird are conftructed in fuch a manner as to preclude 
the poflibility of it. Extent of wing and confiftence of fea- 
thers are not the only things wanting. It is not provided 
with mufcles fufficient to raife it and fupport it in the air, 
and its air veficles are of lefs fize than thofe found in other 
birds. . 
Fifth Sitting, Frudidor 26. 
A commiffion having been appointed to make a report on: 
the fuel moft advantageous to be ufed for heating the camp- 
ovens, and on the means to reduce the confumption, C. H. 
Say prefented that report, the refult of which was, that the 
ftalks of the carthamus or fafranum, reeds, and the ftraw of 
maize, would furnith a fufficiency of fuel to heat the ovens, 
and at a moderate expence. 
C. Bonaparte prefented to the Inftitute a copy ofthe Cons 
noifjance des Temps for the year VII; and invited the Infti- 
tute to employ themfelves in the formation of an almanack. 
C. Monge, Nouet, Dom Raphael, and Beauchamp were 
charged with this objet. This almanack was to compre- 
hend a triple divifion of time according to the cuftom of the 
French, that of the Cophts, and that of the Muffulmans. 
C. Fourier read a memoir on the general folution of alge- 
braic equations. 
C. Parfeval read a tranflation of a frarment of Taffo taken 
from the 17th canto. 
C. Defgenettes read fome obfervations on various difeafes 
which ill-informed perfons might confound with the plague, 
and from which he proved them to be very different. 
Sixth Sitting, 1f2 Comp. Day, Year VI. 
C. Beauchamp prefented a fhort calendar, which might 
be immediately printed for the ufe of the army. This ca- 
lendar contained the old and the new divifion of time. C. 
Beauchamp 
