ea aii: 
Correspondence of J. Nickles. 403 
ehlorhydric acid, proving that gelatine does not resist the absorp- 
tion of the ferruginous compound. We know nothing as to their 
exact age. ‘The presence of gelatine is not a matter of surprise, 
as is shown by the discovery of it in the fossil horn of an Aurochs 
(Bos urus) by Braconnot,* and the antediluvian soup of Cuvier. 
They probably date back hardly two centuries. Whatever the 
time, they illustrate the interesting fact of the modern origin’ of 
Vivianite and the conditions favoring it. 
Arr. XLVI.—Correspondence of M. Jerome Nickles, dated Paris, 
March 2, 1856. 
Academy of Sciences.—Distribution of Prizes.—The annual session 
of the Academy of Sciences was held on the 28th of January, when 
M. Flourens pronounced an historical eulogium on the distinguished 
geologist, von Buch. 
otwithstanding the fine discoveries made this year in the depart- 
ments of physics and chemistry, no prize has been given to the inde- 
fatigable workers who have contributed to the progress of these sciences. 
The prize of mechanics was given to Captain Boileau, Professor at 
7. 
Water in open channels and over dams, as well as his experimental 
researches on the sawing of wood, through which the author has de- 
vised new sawing machines. 
A prize extraordinary in statistics was conferred on M. Le Play, the 
late commissary general of the Universal Exposition, for his work en- 
ss O b 
references to the minerals found in 76 of the Departments. 
mong the prizes relating to the arts that are injurious to health, one 
of 2500 fr. was given to M. Duméry for a contrivance for consuming 
the smoke of chimneys, which has worked with complete success in a 
Series of comparative experiments under the inspection of the learned 
mechanician, M. Combes, Member of the Con ion. 
- Duméry, in place of throwing in the fresh coal by the door of 
the furnace upon the burning combustible, as in ordinary fires, causes 
It to enter below by means of stoking bars worked with the hand ina 
ind of recurved funnel, with open sides, and extending to the grating 
On that side. This method was long ago suggested by Franklin; but 
* Journal de Physique, August, 1806. 
