EXTRACT FROM THE BY-LAWS. 
CHAPTER XII. 
OF THE MAGELLANIC FUND. 
SECTION 1. John Hyacinth de Magellan, in London, having in the year 
1786 offered to the Society, as a donation, the sum of two hundred guineas, 
to be by them vested in a secure and permanent fund, to the end that 
the interest arising therefrom should be annually disposed of in pre- 
miums, to be adjudged by them to the author of the best discovery, or 
most useful invention, relating to Navigation, Astronomy, or Natural 
Philosophy (mere natural history only excepted); and the Society 
having accepted of the above donation, they hereby publish the condi- 
tions, prescribed by the donor and agreed to by the Society, upon which 
the said annual premiums will be awarded. 
CONDITIONS OF THE MAGELLANIC PREMIUM. 
1. The candidate shall send his discovery, invention or improvement, 
addressed to the President, or one of the Vice-Presidents of the Society, 
free of postage or other charges ; and shall distinguish his performance 
by some motto, device, or other signature, at his pleasure. Together 
with his discovery, invention, or improvement, he shall also send a 
sealed letter containing the same motto, device, or signature, and sub- 
scribed with the real name and place of residence of the author. 
2. Persons of any nation, sect or denomination whatever, shall be ad- 
mitted as candidates for this premium. 
3. No discovery, invention or improvement shall be entitled to this 
premium, which hath been already published, or for which the author 
hath been publicly rewarded elsewhere. 
4. The candidate shall communicate his discovery, invention or im- 
provement, either in the English, French, German, or Latin language. 
5. All such communications shall be publicly read or exhibited to the 
Society at some stated meeting, not less than one month previous to the 
day of adjudication, and shall at all times be open to the inspection of 
such members as shall desire it. But no member shall carry home with 
