18190 Scientific Intelligence. 75 



the subject of the chemical changes which take place in fruits* 

 they repropose the question in the following detailed manner : 



To determine the chemical changes which take place in fruits 

 during their progress to, and after their arrival at, maturity. 



For the solution of this question, it is necessary, first, to ana- 

 lyze the fruits at different periods of their growth and maturity, 

 and also when they begin to decay, and are completely rotten. 

 Secondly, to compare the nature and quantity of the principles 

 contained in them at these different periods. Thirdly, to examine 

 with care the influence of external agents, particularly that of the 

 air in contact with the fruit, and to ascertain the changes, if 

 any, which it undergoes. The observations may be confined to 

 certain fruits of different species, provided that it be possible to 

 draw from them conclusions sufficiently general. 



The second subject proposed by the Academy is, 



To give a comparative description of the brain in the four 

 classes of vertebral animals, and particularly in the reptiles and 

 fishes; by endeavouring to trace the analogy of the different 

 parts of that organ, by observing the changes of form and pro- 

 portion which they display, and by following, as deeply as 

 possible, the branches of the cerebral nerves. It will be suffi- 

 cient to confine the observations to a certain number of genera 

 selected from the principal natural families of each class of 

 animals, though it will be necessary that the principal prepara- 

 tions be represented by drawings sufficiently detailed to admit of 

 their being made over again, and thus be accurately verified. 



The prizes for both these subjects will be a medal of the value 

 of 3000 francs. The different memoirs must be transmitted to 

 the secretary, free of expense, by Jan. 1, 1821 ; and the prizes 

 will be adjudged at the public meeting in the month of March 

 following. Each memoir must be marked by a motto, or devise, 

 and accompanied by a sealed letter, containing the same motto, 

 or device, and the name of the author. 



The Academy also offer a gold medal of the value of 440 

 francs (given by an anonymous individual) for the work printed, 

 or in MS. which shall be transmitted to them before Dec. 1, 

 1819, and which shall appear to them to contribute most to the 

 progress of experimental physiology. This prize will be adjudged 

 at the public meeting in March, 1820 ; and the candidates are 

 informed, that the Academy will not return the different memoirs ; 

 but the authors are at liberty to take copies of them if they 

 choose. 



XIV. Natural History of the Moluccas. 



Mr. H. Kuhl, a gentleman eminently qualified for the subject, 

 is about to depart for the Moluccas, to explore the natural history 

 of these interesting islands. 



