374 



NATURE 



[January q. 1919 



PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENi ES. 

 Prizes Proposi d for hjjo. 

 'T'HOSE prizes marked with an asterisk an without 

 J- restriction oi nationality, 

 Mathematics. ''Poncelet prize (2000 francs), for 

 the author of the work most useful to the progr. <M 

 pure mathematics; Francceur prize (1000 francs), for 

 similar work in pure or applied mathematics. 



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

 vention or improvement oi instruments useful to the 

 progress of agriculture, the mechanical arts, and prac- 

 tical ami theoretical cieno . Fourneyron prize 

 (tooo francs), subject proposed : The theoretical and 

 experimental stud} oi the question of internal-com- 

 bustion turbine.-.; Henri ile Parville prize (1500 francs), 

 for original work in mechanics. 



Astronomy. *Lalaade prize (540 francs, a gold 

 medal, or its value), I'm the author of the most interest- 

 ing observation or work most useful to the progress 

 of astronomv ; Damoiseau prize (2000 francs), ques- 

 tion proposed : To improve in some important points 

 the works of Poincare and of Liapounoff on the figures 

 of equilibrium relating to a fluid mass in rotation sub- 

 mitted to the Newtonian attraction. The Acadi n\ 

 specially directs attention to the question of stability 

 and the study of the infinitely small oscillations round 

 a stable figure. The question set for 1917 is given 

 again for 1920, to calculate more exactly, talcing 

 account of the results of recent expeditions, the attrac- 

 tion of the moon on the raised ring formed at the sur- 

 face of the earth by the tides. To examine the effect of 

 this attraction on the angular velocity of rotation of the 

 earth; Benjamin Yalz prize (460 francs), for work 

 on astronomy conforming to the conditions for the 

 Lalande prize; the *Janssen prize (a gold medal), for 

 the author of a work or discovery constituting direct 

 progress in the field of physical astronomy ; * Pierre 

 tiuzman prize (100,000 francs), to anyone finding a 

 means of opening communication with a planet (ex- 

 cluding Mars). Failing solution, the interest will be 

 awarded for real and serious progress, either in the 

 knowledge of the planets of the solar system, or in 

 the relations of the planets of this system with the 

 earth, by means of improved physical or optical instru- 

 ments, or by any other mode of inspection or investiga- 

 tion. 



Geography. — Delalande-Guerineau prize (1000 francs), 

 for a French traveller or savant whose work has been 

 1 he most useful to France or to science; Gay prize 

 (1500 francs), question proposed: The geographical dis- 

 tribution of tropical plants presenting a practical utility ; 

 * Tchihatchef foundation (3000 francs), as recompense 

 for or assistance to naturalists distinguished in the 

 exploration of the Asiatic continent or adjacent islands, 

 especially the lesser-known regions (British India, 

 Siberia, Asia Minor, and Syria excluded). The explora- 

 tions may have as object any branch of the natural, 

 physical, or mathematical sciences, but such sciences 

 as archaeology, history, ethnography, and philology are 

 excluded. The work must be the result of personal 

 observation ; Binoux prize (2000 francs), for the author 

 of works on geography or navigation. 



Navigation. — Prize of 6000 francs, as a recompense 

 for progress increasing the efficiency of the French 

 naval forces; _ Plumey prize (4000 francs), for the 

 author of an improvement in steam-engines, or any 

 other invention contributing most to the progress of 

 steam navigation. 

 Physics. — * I.. La 1 e (10,000 francs), for the 



vork on physics; Hubert prize (moo francs), for 

 the author of the best treatise or most useful dis- 

 covery for the popularisation and practical employ- 

 ment of electricity; Hughes prize (2500 francs'), for 

 NO. 2567, VOL. I02] 



lithor "l an original disi ov< ry in ph 

 1 pi 1 1 electrii itj and magnetism 01 hi it applii a- 

 tions; Clement Felix foundation 1 , I ics, un- 

 divided), foi .1 ! ■' di 



study of elei trii ii_\ , and, having all 1 id 

 proofs ol ability , to fai ilitate th contint ol his 



n earchi 

 Chemistry.- Montyon prize, unhi tl 



1 , a mi ntion of 1500 francs), for thi 



of a means of rendering s e mechanical arl less un- 

 healthy; Jecker prize (10,000 francs), for the author 

 hi the must useful work on organic chemistry; !•• 

 La Caze prize (10,000 francs, undivided), foi thi 



work in chemistry; Cahours prize (3000 Iran. -,. 

 the encouragement of young men already knowi 

 their work, particularly l>\ chemical - eat hes'; 

 Houzeau prize (700 francs), foi a young deserving 

 chemist. 



Mineralogy and Geology. — Fun I amies 1, 

 francs), to the author of the besl palaeontologies I | 1 ib 

 lie, iii. m ; Victor Raulin prize (1500 francs), , stricted 

 to authors of French nationality for facilitating thi 

 publication of works relating to mineralog) and petro- 

 graphy. 



Botany. * Desmazieres prize ( francs), for the 



best or most useful work on cryptogams; Mpntagne 

 prize (1500 francs), for important discoveries or 

 on 1 he cellular plants; de Coincv prize (goo frai 

 for a work on phanerogams, written in Latin or 

 French. 



inatomy ami Zoology. — Cuvier prize (1500 francs), 

 for work in anatomy and zoology; Savignv found 

 (1500 francs), for the assistance of young travelling 

 zoologists, no: in receipt of Government grants, who 

 specially occupy themselves with the inverti I 

 animals of Egypt and Syria. 



Medicine and Su-rgery. — Montyon prize (three prizi - 

 of 2500 francs, three honourable mentions of 1500 

 francs, citations), for improvements in medicine and 

 surgery; Barbier prize (2000 francs), for a valuable 

 discovery in surgery, medicine, pharmacy, or botam 

 having relation to the art of healing ; Breant prize 

 (100,000 francs), for the discovery of a means of curing 

 1.1 eradicating Asiatic cholera. Failing this award, the 

 interest will be given to anyone advancing science 

 on the question of cholera or any other epidemic 

 disease; Godard prize (1000 francs), for the I" -t 

 memoir on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of 

 lh. gi nilo-urinai v organs; Mege prize (10,000 francs), 

 for the author who shall continue and complete the 

 essay of Dr. Mege on the causes which have favoured 

 or retarded the progress of medicine. The inter, st 

 may be disposed of by the Academy until such time 

 as it thinks fits to award the prize; Dusgate prize 

 (2500 francs), to the author of the best work on the 

 diagnostic signs of death, and on the best means of 

 preventing premature burial; Bellion prize 114... 

 francs), for work or discoveries profitable to the health 

 of man or the amelioration of the human species ; 

 Baron I.arrey prize (750 francs), for a doctor or sui 

 (Army or Navy) for the best work presented to the 

 Academy in the course of the year dealing with mili- 

 tary medicine, surgery, or hygiene. 



Physiology. — Montyon prize (750 francs), for the 

 most useful work on experimental physiology; Lalle- 

 mand prize (1800 francs), for work relating to the 

 nervous system in the widest sense of the words; 

 *L. La Caze prize (10,000 francs, undivided), fur 

 work contributing to the' progress of physiology; 

 Martin-Damourette prize (1400 francs), for work in 

 therapeutic physiology; Philip, 

 for experimental physiology. 



Stati tics. Montyon pri 1 (1000 francs, two men- 



