418 
NATURE 
[JANUARY 25, 1917 
a IEEE DEES LLL 
S Cephei, which has a similar spectrum, are the two 
reddest stars known at the present time. 
Tue Torat SoLar EcLipsE OF 1916, FEBRUARY 3.— 
A summary of the results of observations of this eclipse 
made at Tucacas, Venezuela, by an expedition from 
Cordoba, has been given by Prof. C. D. Perrine 
(Monthly Notices, R.A.S., vol. Ixxvii., p. 65). The 
morning of the eclipse was unpromising, with heavy 
rain, but conditions improved to such an extent that 
there was only a slight haze during totality. The 
corona was of the intermediate type, somewhat re- 
sembling that of 1898, and the negatives show 
streamers to a distance of one and a half solar 
diameters. Five groups of prominences appeared at 
the bases of the four principal wings of the corona, 
and a series of well-marked hoods surrounded the 
prominences in the south-west quadrant. Photographs 
of the coronal spectrum were_obtained with the pris- 
matic camera, and with a slit spectrograph, but none 
of them show any trace of gaseous radiation. Good 
records of the chromospheric spectrum at the beginning 
and end of totality were secured, and these will give 
valuable data relating to the heights of different 
vapours in comparison with previous results. The 
photometric plates show that at the beginning of 
totality the total light of the prominences and chromo- 
sphere was greater than that emitted by the corona 
proper. 
PARIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
PROGRAMME OF PRIZES FOR 1918. 
Pi eet eS the Poncelet prize (2000 
francs), to the author, French or other 
nationality, of the work most useful to the progress 
of pure mathematics; Francoeur prize (1000 francs), 
for discoveries or works useful to the progress of pure 
or applied mathematics. 
Mechanics.—The Montyon prize (700 francs), for the 
invention or improvement of instruments useful to the 
progress of agriculture, the mechanical arts, and the 
practical and speculative sciences; the Fourneyron 
prize (1000 francs), question for 1918: the theoretical 
and experimental study of ball bearings; question set 
for 1916 and carried on to 1918: important improve- 
ments in motors used in aviation; the Boileau prize 
(1300 francs), for researches concerning the motion of 
fluids contributing to the progress of hydraulics—these 
researches, if theoretical, must be verified by the rée- 
sults of experiment or observation; Henri de Parville 
prize (1500 francs), for original work in mechanics. 
Astronomy.—The Lalande prize (540 francs), for the 
most interesting observation or memoir most useful to 
the progress of astronomy; Benjamin Valz prize (460 
franes), for work in astronomy, conforming to the 
same conditions as the Lalande prize; the Janssen | 
prize (gold medal), to the author of a work or dis- 
covery in physical astronomy; Pierre Guzman prize 
(100,000 francs), to anyone (without distinction of 
nationality) who finds a means of communicating with 
a celestial body—i.e. to make a signal to the body and 
receive a reply. (The planet Mars is excluded.) 
Geography.—The Delalande-Guérineau prize (1000 
francs), for services to France or to science; the Gay 
prize (1500 francs), subject proposed for 1918: recent 
progress in geodesy; the Tchihatchef prize (3000 
francs), for recompense or assistance of naturalists of 
any nationality distinguished in the exploration of the 
Asiatic continent or the adjacent islands, especially the 
less known regions—the explorations may be in any 
branch of natural, physical, or mathematical science; | 
NO. 2465, VOL. 98] 
geography 
the Binoux prize (2000 francs), for work on 
or navigation, 
Navigation.—The prize of 6000 francs for work. in- — 
creasing the efficiency of the French naval forces; the — 
Plumey prize (4000 francs), for improvements in steam-— 
engines or for any other invention contributing to the 
progress of steam navigation. 
physics (the prize cannot be divided); the Hébert prize 
| (1000 francs), to the author of the best treatise or most 
| useful discovery in popularising or. using electricity; 
| the Hughes prize (2500 francs), to recompense the 
author of an original discovery in physical science, 
especially electricity and magnetism or their applica- 
| encouragement of researches relating to radiant pheno- 
to Frenchmen), for facilitating the publication of 
works relating to meteorology and the physics of the 
lobe. ; 
a Chemistry.—The Montyon prize (unhealthy occupa- 
tions) (a prize of 2500 francs, a mention of 1500 francs), 
for the discovery of a means of rendering some 
mechanical art less unhealthy; the Jecker prize (10,000 
francs), for work most useful to the progress of 
organic chemistry; the La Caze prize (10,000 francs), 
cannot be divided); the Cahours foundation (3000 
francs), for the encouragement of young chemists of 
promise; the Houzeau prize (7oo francs), similar con- 
ditions to the Cahours foundation. 
francs), for the most remarkable work in mineralogy 
and geology. 
French or foreign author of the best publication 
(1500 francs), for important discoveries or work on the 
cellular plants; the de Coincy prize (goo francs), to the 
| author of a work on phanerogams, to be written in 
| Latin or French, 
Anatomy and Zoology.—The da Gama Machado 
prize (1200 francs), for the best memoirs on the colour 
of animals, including man, and its origin in the animal 
kingdom ; the Savigny foundation (1500 francs), for the 
assistance of young travelling zoologists, not receiving 
grants from the Government, and who occupy them- 
selves more especially with the invertebrates of Egypt 
and Syria; the Jean Thore prize (200 francs), for a 
European insect. 
Medicine and Surgery.—The Montyon prize (three 
prizes of 2500 francs, three honourable mentions of 
1500 francs, citations), for improvements jin medicine 
or surgery; the Barbier prize (2000 francs), for a 
valuable discovery in surgical, medical, or pharma- 
coverer of a means of curing Asiatic cholera or of the 
causes of this disease (failing the award of the capital 
sum, the interest will be given as a prize for contribu- 
tions to our knowledge of 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 Mége prize 
(10,000 franes), to the author who continues and com- 
| pletes the essay of Dr. Mége on the causes which 
| have retarded or favoured the progress of medicine, 
| from antiquity to the present time; the Bellion prize 
| (1a00 francs), for work or discoveries especially profit- 
| able to the health of man; the Baron Larrey prize 
(750 francs), for the best work presented to the 
academy in the course of the year, by a doctor or 
Physics.—The La Caze prize (10,000 francs), with. 
out restriction of nationality, for the best work in 
| tions; the Danton foundation (1500 francs), for the 
mena; the Victor Raulin prize (1500 francs) (limited 
for the best work in chemistry (open to foreigners and 
Mineralogy and Geology.—The Cuvier prize (1500 
Botany.—The Desmaziéres prize (1600 francs), to the — 
during the year on cryptogams; the Montagne prize 
ceutical science, or in botany in relation to the art of — 
healing; the Bréant prize (100,000 francs), to the dis- — 
memoir on the hhabits or anatomy of a species of — 
