February 4, 191 5] 



NATURE 



629 



exercises a depressing- influence on tree growth makes 

 the new point that trees grown in land which is first 

 cultivated and subsequently grassed are apt to be out- 

 distanced in growth by those which are grown in 

 grass from the start of the experiment. Mr. Barker 

 suggests that this may be due to the trees previously 

 free from the grass feeling the ill-effects of grassing 

 all the more acutely because of their former 

 immunity from those effects. The phenomenon does 

 not appear to conform with current opinion, which 

 holds that, once they are well-established, trees do 

 not suffer from growing in grass. 



PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 

 Prizes Proposed for the Year 1916. 



Geometry. — The Francoeur prize (looo francs), to 

 the author of discoveries or works useful to the pro- 

 gress of pure or applied mathematics ; Grand prize 

 of the mathematical sciences (3000 francs), subject 

 proposed, to apply the methods of Henri Poincare to 

 the integration of some linear differential equations, 

 algebraic, and chosen from the simplest examples ; 

 the Poncelet prize (2000 francs), for work in pure 

 mathematics. 



Mechanics. — A Montyon prize (700 francs), for in- 

 vention or improvement of instruments useful to the 

 progress of agriculture, the mechanical arts or 

 sciences; the Henri de Parville prize (1500 francs) for 

 original work in mechanics ; the Fourneyron prize 

 (1000 francs), to the author of the most important 

 improvements in aviation motors. 



Astronomy. — The Lalande prize (540 francs), to 

 anyone, in France or elsewhere, who has published 

 the most interesting observation, memoir, or work 

 useful to the progress of astronomy; the Valz prize 

 (460 francs), to the author of the most interesting 

 astronomical observation made in the course of the 

 year ; the Janssen prize, for an important progress in 

 physical astronomy. 



Geography. — The Tchihatchef prize (3000 francs), 

 for the recompense or encouragement of naturalists 

 of any nationality distinguished in the exploration of 

 the lesser-known regions of Asia; the Gay prize (1500 

 francs), for improvements in instruments or methods 

 of topometrical and topographical surveys ; the Binoux 

 prize (2000 francs), for work in geography or naviga- 

 tion ; the Delalande-Guerineau prize. (1000 francs), to 

 the Frenchman who, as traveller or savant, shall have 

 rendered the greatest service to France or to science. 



Navigation. — The extraordinary prize of 6000 francs 

 for work increasing the efficiency of the French naval 

 forces ; the Plumey prize (4000 francs), for an im- 

 provement in steam engines or other invention con- 

 tributing to the progress of steam navigation. 



Physics. — The Hebert prize (icoo francs), for a 

 treatise or discovery valuable for the popularisation 

 and practical use of electricity; the Hughes prize 

 (2500 francs), for a discovery or work contributing to 

 the progress of physics; the La Gaze prize (10,000 

 francs), to the author, French or foreign, of works or 

 memoirs contributing to the progress of physics ; the 

 Kastner-Boursault prize (2000 francs), for the best 

 work on the various applications of electricity in the 

 arts, industry, and commerce. 



Chemistry. — The Jecker prize (10,000 francs), for 

 work in organic chemistry ; the Cahours prize (3000 

 francs), for the encouragement of young workers 

 already known for researches in chemistry ; the 

 Montyon (unhealthy occupations) prize of 2500 francs, 

 and mention of 1500 francs, for the discovery of a 

 means of reducing the unhealthiness of a trade or 

 calling ; the Houzeau prize (700 francs), for a young 



NO. 2362, VOL. 94] 



deserving chemist; the L. La Caze prize (10,000 

 francs), to the author, of any nationality, of the best 

 work on chemistry. 



Mineralogy and Geology. — The Victor Raulin prize 

 (1500 francs), for facilitating the publication of works 

 relating to geology and palaeontology. 



Botany. — The Desmazieres prize (1600 francs), for 

 the best publication during the year on Crytogams ; 

 the Montague prize (1500 francs), for work on the 

 anatomy, physiology, development, or description of 

 the lower Cryptogams ; the Da Coincy prize (900 

 francs), for work on phanerogams ; the de la Fons- 

 Melicocq prize (900 francs), for the best botanical work 

 on the north of France. 



Anatomy and Zoology. — The Savigny prize (1500 

 francs), for the assistance of young travelling 

 zoologists, not receiving a Government grant, and who 

 study specially the invertebrates of Egypt and Syria ; 

 the Cuvier prize (1500 francs), for a work on zoological 

 palaeontology, comparative anatomy, or zoology; the 

 Thore prize (200 francs), for the best work on the 

 habits and anatomy of a species of European insects. 



Medicine and Surgery. — The Montyon prize (prize 

 of 2500 francs, mentions of 1500 francs), for works or 

 discoveries judged most useful to the art of healing; 

 the Barbier prize (2000 francs), for the author of a 

 valuable discovery in the surgical, medical, or pharma- 

 ceutical sciences or in botany having relation to medi- 

 cal science; the Bryant prize (100,000 francs), for the 

 discovery of a means of curing Asiatic cholera or 

 discovering the causes of this disease. Failing the 

 award of the prize, the interest on the capital sum 

 will be awarded for advances in connection with 

 cholera or any other epidemic disease ; the Godard 

 prize (1000 francs), for the best memoir on the 

 anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the genito- 

 urinary organs ; the Baron Larrey prize (750 francs), 

 to a doctor or surgeon in the army or navy, for the 

 best work presented to the academy and dealing with 

 medicine, surgery, or military hygiene ; the Bellion 

 prize (1400 francs), for work or discoveries profitable 

 to the health of man or to the amelioration of the 

 human species; the M^ge prize (10,000 francs), to an 

 author who should continue and complete his essay on 

 the causes which have favoured or retarded the pro- 

 gress of medicine from antiquity to the present day. 

 The interest on this sum can be awarded by the 

 academy as they see fit. 



Physiology. — ^The Montyon prize (750 francs), for 

 a work on experimental physiology; the Philipeaux 

 prize (900 francs), for works in experimental 

 physiology; the Lallemand prize (1800 francs), 

 for work relating to the nervous system in 

 the widest sense of the words ; the Pourat 

 prize (1000 francs), for a memoir on the cell con- 

 stituents which exert the main influence on the water 

 content of the different tissues; the La Gaze prize 

 (10,000 francs), to the author, French or foreign, 

 offering the best work on physiology; the Martin- 

 Damourette prize (1400 francs), for a work on thera- 

 peutical physiology. 



Statistics. — ^The Montyon prize (prize of 1000 francs, 

 and two mentions of 500 francs). The academy will 

 consider not only memoirs sent in manuscript, but 

 also works already printed and published which are 

 brought to their knowledge. 



History of Sciences. — The Binoux prize (2000 

 francs). 



General Prizes. — ^The Arago medal ; the Lavoisier 

 medal, for eminent services to chemistry without dis- 

 tinction of nationality' ; the Berthelot medal, to per- 

 sons who have been awarded by the academv prizes 

 in chemistry ; the Henri Becquerel prize (3000 francs) ; 

 the Gegner prize (3800 francs); the Lannelongue prire 



