242 



NATURE 



[January 3, 1901 



Prize (2500 fr.), for improvements in steam engines or any other 

 invention which contributes to the progress of steam naviga- 

 tion ; and the Fourneyron Prize (500 fr.), for a theoretical or 

 experimental study of steam turbines. 



In Astronomy, the Lalande Prize (540 fr.), for the best 

 wrork tending to the advancement of astronomy ; the Valz Prize 

 (460 fr. ), for the most interesting observation during the current 

 year. In Physic?, a La Caze Prize (10,000 fr.) ; the Gaston 

 Plante Prize (3000 fr.), for a discovery, invention or important 

 work in the field of electricity ; and the Kastner-Boursault Prize 

 (2000 fr. ), for the best work on the applications of electricity in 

 the arts, industry and commerce. In Statistics, a Montyon 

 Prize (500 fr.). In Chemistry, thejecker Prize, and a La Caze 

 Prize (each of 10,000 fr. ), for researches in chemistry. In 

 Mineralogy and Geology, the Delesse Prize (1400 fr. ). In 

 Physical Geography, the Gay Prize (2500 fr.), for a study of 

 the distribution of alpine plants in the mountains of the Old 

 World. In Botany, the Bordin Prize (3000 fr.), for a study 

 of the influence of external conditions upon the protoplasm 

 and nucleus in plants; the Desmazieres Prize (1600 fr.), for a 

 study of cryptogams ; the Montagne Prizes (1000 fr. and 

 500 fr. ), for researches on the anatomy, physiology, descrip- 

 tion, or development of the lower cryptogams ; the Thore 

 Prize (200 fr.), for the best work on the cellular cryptogams 

 of Europe; the De la Fons Melicocq Prize (900 fr.), for 

 botanical work done in the north of France. In Anatomy 

 and Zoology, the Grand Prize of the Physical Sciences 

 (3000 fr.), for a biological study of the soft water Nematods ; 

 the Savigny Prize (1300 fr. ), for the assistance of young 

 travelling zoologists. 



In Medicine and Surgery, a Montyon Prize ; the Barbier 

 Prize (2000 fr. ), for a discovery in surgery, medicine or 

 pharmacy of service in the art of healing ; the Breant Prize 

 (100,000 fr. ), for a specific cure for Asiatic cholera ; the Godard 

 Prize (1000 fr.), for work on the anatomy, physiology and 

 pathology of the genito-urinary organs ; the Bellion Prize 

 (1400 fr.); the Mege Prize; the Lallemand Prize (1800 fr.), 

 for the encouragement of work on the nervous system ; and the 

 Baron Larrey Prize (1000 fr.), for the best work on military 

 medicine, surgery or hygiene. In Physiology, the Pourat 

 Prize (1400 fr.), for experimental work on the cooling due to 

 muscular contraction; a Montyon Prize (750 fr.), and the 

 Philipeaux Prize (890 fr. ), for work in experimental physiology; 

 and a La Caze Prize (10,000 fr.). 



Among the general prizes offered are the Arago and Lavoisier 

 Medals, the Montyon Prize for unhealthy trades, the Wilde 

 Prize (4000 fr.), the Cahours Prize (3000 fr.), the Tchihatchef 

 Prize (3000 fr. ). for Asiatic exploration, the Petit d'Ormoy 

 Prizes (10,000 fr. each), for work in the mathematical or physi- 

 cal sciences, the Leconte Prize (50,000 fr. ), for a new and 

 capital discovery in mathematics, physics, chemistry, natural 

 history or medical science, the Jean Reynaud Prize (10,000 fr.), 

 the Saintour Prize (3000 fr.), the Gegner Prize (3800 fr.), 

 the Tremont Prize- (iioo fr.), and the Laplace and Rivot 

 Prizes. 



Of these prizes, the Lalande, La Caze, Delesse, Desmazieres, 

 Leconte and Tchihatchef are expressly stated as being open 

 without distinction of nationality. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Cambridge.— Mr. C. T. R. Wilson, F.R.S., Fellow of 

 Sidney Sussex College, has been appointed University Lecturer 

 in Experimental Physics, in succession to Prof. Wilberforce, 

 now of Liverpool. The appointment of Mr. H. Herbert Smith 

 as Gilbey Lecturer in Agriculture has been confirmed by the 

 Senate. 



The following awards in Natural Science have been made at 

 the combined examination for entrance scholarships held by 

 ten of the colleges in December, 1900 : — 



Clare College.— £60, Leather, Bridlington School; ;^5o. 

 Pears, Clifton College ; ;^40, Byatt, Charterhouse ; Johnson 

 Exhibition, Jordan, Bedford School. 



Trinity Hall.—£^o, Hopkins, St. Paul's, and Potts, Kings- 

 wood School. 



. Trinity College.— £^0, Chittock, Harrow; £7$, Bulleid, 

 Exeter School ; ^50, Bray, Harrow ; Sizarship, Mottram, St. 

 Olave's ; ^50, Darwin, Marlborough ; ;^40, Browning, West- 

 minster, Chase, Oundle School, and Hodgson, Bedford 



rammar School. 



NO. 1627, VOL. 63] 



Pembroke College. — ^^40, Straus, Harrow. 



Gonville and Caius College. — £60, Whitehead, Battersea 

 Grammar School ; £jo (Salomons Engineering Scholarship), 

 Brinton, Cheltenham College ; £2,0, Coxon, Shrewsbury School. 



King^s College, — ;i^8o, Spens, Rugby. 



Jesus College. — £i)0, Crawford, Nottingham High School. 



Christ's College. — ^60, Radice, Bedford Grammar School ; 

 ^40, Bygrave, Giggleswick School ; ;^3o, Dobell, Cheltenham 

 College. 



St. Johns College.— £60, McDonnell, St. Paul's ; /40, Jolly, 

 Framlingham School. 



Emmaituel College. — £60, Taylor, King Edward's School, 

 Birmingham ; ;^40, Watkins, Shrewsbury School. 



The ninth jubilee of Glasgow University will be celebrated 

 on June 12-14. 



For many years a large proportion of the national food 

 supply has been dependent on the preservation of meat and 

 fruit in transport and storage by means of artificial cold, so that 

 the subject of refrigeration is one of great and growing import- 

 ance to the public. Within the last two years a more special 

 interest has been exhibited in this and kindred subjects by the 

 cheaper and more convenient production of liquid air, the 

 proposed applications of it, and the remarkable scientific dis- 

 coveries to which it has led. Those of the public who wish for 

 authoritative guidance and clear ideas on the whole subject of 

 refrigeration will shortly have an opportunity of obtaining them 

 placed within their reach. The Technical Education Board of 

 the London County Council, acting in conjunction with the 

 Council of University College, London, have arranged for a 

 series of lectures on the artificial production of cold to be 

 delivered in the chemical theatre of the college in Gower 

 Street by Dr. W. Hampson. The lectures will begin on 

 January 18, at 5.30 p.m., and will be illustrated by experiments. 

 Those who wish to attend, or to obtain a syllabus of the lectures, 

 should apply to the secretary of the college. Young engineers, 

 and others who are engaged in practical work in connection with 

 refrigerating machinery or cold storage, and who have not had 

 the advantage of a systematic training in the physical sciences, 

 should find this a useful opportunity of learning to understand 

 better the connection between their work and the scientific 

 principles involved in it. 



The case of Regina versus Cockerton is likely to have a pro- 

 found effect on our national education. As readers of Nature 

 may remember, a district auditor, dealing with the accounts of 

 the London School Board, disallowed certain sums paid out of 

 the rates for the teaching of science and art in elementary 

 schools according to the rules of the South Kensington "Direc- 

 tory," as distinguished from those contained in the " Code " of 

 the Education Department. These disallowances were brought 

 before Mr. Justice Wills and Mr. Justice Kennedy in the Queen's 

 Bench Division with a view to having them quashed. But the 

 Court has upheld the view taken by the auditor. The London 

 School Board has been non-suited all along the line. To 

 quote Mr. Justice Wills : "It is not within the power of the 

 Board to provide, at the expense of the ratepayers, science and 

 art schools or classes in day schools ; . . . science and art classes 

 in evening continuation schools are as much beyond the scope of 

 rate-aided education as in day schools ; but that in both such 

 educational work may be carried on by the School Board pro- 

 vided the whole of the funds required for it are furnished from 

 sources other than contributions from the rates." There is little 

 likelihood that the matter will be allowed to rest here ; it is 

 bound to go ultimately to the House of Lords. But, whatever 

 may be found to be the present state of the law, one thing the 

 case makes transparently clear, and that is the chaotic condition 

 of English education. As the Times said the other day, "by 

 showing up the existing confusion and to some extent aggravating 

 it, the judgment may perhaps hasten some comprehensive 

 scheme for classifying education in a rational way." 



SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES. 

 London. 



Royal Society, December 13, 1900. — " Additional Notes on 

 Boulders and other Rock Specimens from the Newlands Diamond 

 Mines, Griqualand West." By Prof. T. G. Bonney, F.R.S. 



Shortly before the outbreak of the war in South Africa, a parcel 

 of specimens from the Newlands Mine, West Griqualand, was sent 



