January 14, 1897 | 
NATURE 
261 
light curve, which Prof. Pickering reproduced in his note. The 
average deviation between the photometric measurements and 
the smooth curve amounts to between one or two hundredths of 
a magnitude. The observations are not, however, quite suffi- 
ciently distributed over the whole curve to eliminate all doubt 
as to its form in some parts. The light curves of U Cephei, 
B Persei, and U Ophiuchi have also been similarly determined. 
W Delphini varies 2°71 magnitudes, a variation greater than 
any other star of the same class. U Cephei comes second, with 
a variation of 2°44 magnitudes, while those of 8 Persei and 
U Ophiuchi are 1°04 and 0°66 respectively. 
Comet NoTEs.—The comet discovered by Mr. Perrine, on 
December 8 last year, is gradually diminishing in brightness ; 
but the ephemeris shows that its now southern declination is 
beginning to diminish. For those wishing to follow the comet 
further, Dr. F. Ristenpart has computed some parabolic elements 
from observations made on December 10, 22, and 27, and the 
ephemeris obtained from these is as follows (4st~. Nachr., 
No. 3394, Beilage) :— 
Berlin Midnight. 
R.A. Decl. Br. 
1897- h. m. . 
Tan. IT 42:8 —O 53°4 0°27 
15 17°4 543 "22 
19 307 471 18 
23 431 34°9 “I5 
27 54°5 19'I "12 
31 Sass 2. =O G6 o'10 
The elements are stated to be not very satisfactory, as the 
calculation of the ‘‘mean position” discloses an error of too 
great a magnitude to be neglected. 
The comet, on the other hand, discovered by Mr. Perrine on 
November 2, is, according to the ephemeris given by Herr Otto 
Knopf (Astr. Machr., No. 3394), increasing rapidly in brightness, 
and by April 5 will be six times brighter than it was at the time 
of its discovery. The comet, however, will soon be lost in the 
sun’s rays, but on its reappearance will be visible only from 
southern latitudes, its southern declination rapidly increasing. 
THE UNIVERSAL MERIDIAN.—Among many of the subjects 
referred to at the meeting of the Société Astronomique de 
France, on December 2 last vear, that of the choice of a 
universal meridian raised considerable discussion. The sub- 
ject was brought up owing to the proposition made by M. 
Deville, before the Chambre des Deputés, concerning ‘‘ the 
adoption of the meridian of Greenwich by France.” M. 
Bouquet de la Gyre commenced the proceedings by saying that 
the question was one which touched science as a whole, and 
that the Academy had not been consulted. He then proceeded 
to state his opinion, which was to the effect that for theoretical 
reasons Greenwich should not be adopted as the zero meridian. 
M. Callandreau, who followed him, took the practical side of 
the question, and pointed out what progress had already been 
accomplished in the adoption of the Greenwich meridian. 
After an able statement of the case by the President, M. 
Janssen, the question was put to the vote, the great majority 
adhering to the adoption of the Greenwich meridian. The 
proceedings of the meeting will be found in the Aué/etin of the 
Society for January. 
PRIZE SUBJECTS OF THE PARIS ACADEMY 
OF SCIENCES. 
THE following subjects for prizes are announced by the 
Academy for 1897 and following years; prizes for years 
other than 1897 are specially indicated. In Geometry, the 
Grand Prize in the Mathematical Sciences (1898) will be 
awarded for the best memoir extending the part played in 
analysis by divergent series ; the Bordin Prize (3000fr.) for a 
study of the questions relating to the determination, properties, 
and applications of systems of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates 
of # variables, indicating particularly the degree of generality of 
these systems (1898) ; the Francceur Prize (1000 fr.), and the 
Poncelet Prize (2000 fr.), for work contributing to the progress-of 
pure or applied mathematics. In Mechanics, the Extraordinary 
Prize of 6coo fr, is offered for work increasing the efficiency of 
the French naval forces; a Montyon Prize (7oofr.) for the 
NO. 1420, VOL. 55 | 
invention or improvement of instruments useful in agriculture 
or the mechanical arts; the Plumey Prize (2500 fr.), for 
improvements in steam navigation ; the Fourneyron Prize, for a 
complete discussion of the motion and stability of bicycles. In 
Astronomy, the Lalande Prize (540 fr.) will be given for the 
observation or work most useful to the progress of the science ; 
the Damoiseau Prize (1500 fr.), for calculations connecting the 
appearances of Halley’s comet, taking into account the attrac- 
tion of Neptune, and giving the exact time of its next appear- 
ance in 1910; also, for 1898, for a study of the perturbations of 
Hyperion, the satellite of Saturn, deducing the mass of Titan ; 
the Valz Prize (460 fr.), for the most interesting astronomical 
observation made during the year ; and the Janssen Prize (for 
1898), for the most important discovery in Astronomical Physics. 
In Physics, a La Caze Prize (10,000fr.), in Statistics, a 
Montyon Prize (500 fr.), and in Chemistry, a La Caze Prize 
(10,000 fr.), and the Jecker Prize (10,000 fr.) will be awarded in 
1897. In Mineralogy and Geology, for the Grand Prize in the 
Physical Sciences (3000 fr.), question proposed for 1897, ‘‘ New 
experiments and studies on the higher parts of mountains, espe- 
cially experiments bearing on Meteorology and the conditions 
of life” ; for the Bordin Prize (3000 fr.), ‘‘ Physical, chemical, 
and zoological studies of the bottom of the seas touching the 
coast of France” ; for the Vaillant Prize (4000 fr.), question for 
1898), ‘‘To make known and discuss the indications which 
complete the microscopical study of the sedimentary rocks 
(especially secondary or tertiary rocks) from the point of view 
| of their genesis and the modifications they have undergone 
since their deposit in their structure and composition”; the 
Delesse Prize (1400 fr.), for work in Geology or Mineralogy > 
and the Fontannes Prize (2000 fr.) in 1899, for the best 
palzontological publication. 
In Botany, the Barbier Prize (2000 fr.) is offered for a dis- 
covery of medical value ; the Desmaziéres Prize (1600 fr.), for 
the best work on Cryptogams published during the year ; the 
Montagne Prizes (1000 fr. and 500 fr.), for important discoveries 
bearing on the anatomy, physiology, and development of the: 
lower Cryptogams ; the De la Fons Melicocq Prize (goo fr.), 
in 1898, for work on the Botany of the North of France ; and 
the Thore Prize (200 fr.), for the best memoir on the Cellular 
Cryptogams. In Anatomy and Zoology, the Savigny Prize 
(975 fr.) will be given in aid of young zoologists who have 
specially occupied themselves with the study of the Invertebrates 
of Egypt and Syria; and the Da Gama Machado Prize (1200 
fr.), for the best memoirs on the coloured parts of the tegu- 
mentary system of animals. In Medicine and Surgery, there 
is offered a Montyon Prize; a Barbier Prize (2000 fr.) ; the 
Bréant Prize (100,000 fr.), for the discovery of a remedy which 
shall cure Asiatic cholera in the great majority of cases ; the 
Godard Prize (1000 fr.), for the best memoir on the anatomy, 
physiology, and pathology of the genito-urinary organs ; the 
Serres Prize (7500 fr.), in 1899, for work on General Embryology 
applied as far as possible to Physiology and Medicine; the 
Chaussier Prize (10,000 fr.), in 1899, for a work advancing 
legal or practical Medicine ; the Parkin Prize (3400 fr.), for 
researches on the curative effects of carbon; the Bellion 
Prize (1400 fr.), for work especially profitable to the public 
health; the Mege Prize, for an essay on the progress of 
Medicine ; the Dusgate Prize, in 1900, for the best means of 
preventing premature burial ; the Lallemand Prize (1800 fr.), 
for work on the nervous system; and the Baron Larrey Prize 
(1000 fr.), for work on Military Hygiene, Medicine, or Surgery. 
In Physiology, the Prizes proposed are those of Montyon 
(700 fr.), La Caze (10,000 fr.), Pourat (1400 fr.), Martin- 
Damourette (1400 fr.), and Philipeaux (890 fr.), and in Physical 
Geography, the Gay Prize (2500 fr. ). ; 
Of the General Prizes, there will be awarded in 1897, a 
Montyon Prize for a means of ameliorating an unhealthy trade 
or occupation; the Cuvier Prize (1500 fr.), for a work on 
Geology; the Trémont Prize (1100 fr.) and the Gegner Prize 
(4000 fr.) ; the Petit D’Ormoy Prize (10,000 fr.), for work in 
Pure and Applied Mathematics, and in the Natural Sciences ; 
the Tchihatchef Prize (3000 fr.), for work on the less known 
parts of Asia; the Gaston Plante Prize (3000 ire) for an im- 
portant invention in Electricity ; and the Cahours Prize (3000. 
fr.), for assisting young chemists in chemical researches, 
Of these prizes those bearing the names of Lalande, La Caze, 
Delesse, Desmaziéres, and Tchihatchef, are specially stated to 
be given without distinction of nationality. All memoirs for 
this year must be sent to the Academy before June 1. 
