100 Correspondence of J, Nickles. 
returning to the atmospheric air and to the mineral ngdam the sub- 
siances which meaeiabic s and animals have borrowe 
istion between the two kingdoms ? gies does she form su bi com- 
ot 
reviously possess these properties? These are impenetrable Re 
e thus dimly perceive that while combustion and putrefaction are the 
“Tt is therefore “a ae or the nutrition af animals, that the 
Academy invites the attention of savans of all nations, The Acad- 
rve nutrim 
the alterations which they a ene the canal which re- 
ceives ea ete the mistne, Ist, with the a 2d, by mixture with the 
It supposes also a knowledge of the gases which are disengaged dur- 
ing the process of digestion, ae manner in which digestion furnishes to 
the blood that which is thrown off from it by respiration, In fine, as 
weight they had the previous night, consequently the gain 
are equal, the loss being compensated e food which th the Paci 
consume daily. 
“The Academy in thus presenting the whole scope of a great theme 
does not suppose that any one who undertakes will be able to resolve it 
completely. But the Academy permits each one to handle the problem 
in such a manner as he thinks convenient and the prize will be pro- 
claimed in favor of him who shall resolve any portion of the subject. It 
hopes moreover to be able to recompense by its ac now iocaeaMane 
those who undertake the investigation but do not obtain the 
“The Academy therefore intends to repropose from time = oe the 
different portions of the same subject which have not been previously 
treated.” 
Dumas concludes his memoir as follows: “If it is asked’ what were the 
ideas and opinions of Lavoisier in regard to questions in organic chemis- 
try, we must reply 
Ist. He had discovered the process which serves to make all organic 
analyses, viz, their ry mr by oxygen 
2d. That he had learned also, as his laboratory records show, that 
instead of burning car. in oxygen gas he was able to burn them by 
means of metallic oxyds, and instead of measuring the resulting carbonic 
acid gas, he had the means of weighing it after having absorbed it in two 
successive flasks of liquid pot 
3d. That he believed the Soden belonging to ogni. chemistry ought 
to be considered as the oxyds or acids of compound radicals, 
