P [ 42 ad 
X. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
June 4. A papEr by Sir Everard Home was read, containing 
2 description of the Delphinus Gangeticus ; also another paper 
by Dr. Granville, giving an account of the production of sul- 
phuretted Azote in the abdomen by the decomposition of an 
albuminous dropsical fluid ;—and a third paper by John Wil- 
liams, Esq. explaining the influence of Galvanism upon germi- 
nation. 
June 11. A paper was read by Dr. Prout, describing a new. 
acid principle prepared from the lithic or uric acid, which he 
denominates the purpuric acid. 
Another paper by Sir William Herschel was read, On the 
relative distances of clusters of Stars, and the power of Tele- 
‘scopes in discerning celestial objects. 
The President then adjourned the Society for the long vaca- 
tion. 
ROYAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE. 
ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, 
Prize proposed —To determine the chemical changes which 
fruits undergo during maturation, and afterwards. 
For the solution of this question it will be necessary to exa- 
mine with care the influence of the atmosphere which surrounds 
the fruits, and the alterations which they receive from it. 
The essayist may confine his observations to fruits of different 
species, provided consequences general enough can be drawn 
from them. 
The prize will be a gold medal of the value of 3000 fr. The 
term of competition is limited to the lst January 1819. 
XI. Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 
CASE OF THOMAS GASKING. 
- To Mr. Tilloch. 
ly is impossible to ascertain, otherwise than by casual obser- 
vation, with what rapidity the powers of the human mind may 
be unfolded ; and how closely infancy can be taught to pursue 
the footsteps of manhood in the arduous paths of science. 
Master (now Dr.) Crotch formerly astonished the amateurs of 
music, when five years of age, by his practical skill in that pleas- 
ing art; and Zerah Colburn lately attracted universal attention 
by 
