356 
greater number of the large chains of 
mountains are compoledof parallel ridges, 
of which the central and the moft lofty are 
granitic, the middie are fchiftofe, and the 
extremes calcareous. The Pyrenees have 
long been thought an exception to the ge- 
neral rule, as here every thing feems in 
coniufion, and the moft lofty peaks, fuch 
as tne Mont Perdu and Marbors, are cer- 
tainly calcareous, and even, as fome pre- 
tend, contain petrifa€lions. Cit. Ra- 
mond has explained this feemiag anomaly, 
by thewing the obliquity of the diff-rent 
ridges, fo that the {chiftofe and calca- 
reous chains on tne Spanifh fide are loftier 
than thofe towards France, and even than 
the granite ridge which forms the axis ot 
the entire chain of mountains. 
Attempts are making to introduce the 
buffalo into France, which promifes con- 
fiderable advantage. Though Jefs than 
the ox, it is more vigorous, the milk of 
the female is more abundant than that of 
the cow, and contains more butter and 
cheefe, which is likewife more eafily fepa- 
vated. Every part of its bedy is ufetul, 
and befides it has the great advantage of 
being able to live in fwampy foils, and 
even prefers thofe aquatic planis which 
horfes and oxen reje&t. Hence, in marfhy 
countries, as in fome provinces of Italy, 
it may be made the means of great im- 
provement and wealth. The firft intro- 
duction of thefe anima's was attended with 
difficulties. Some were killed by the pea- 
fants, others were neglected by thofe who 
were to attend them, but a part of the 
herd are now in a flourifhing and increaf- 
ing fiate in the rural eftabliihment of 
Rambouilet. z 
The National Inftitute has taken up 
with zeal the fubjeét of the extraction of 
fugar from the beet-root, and the commit- 
tee which has been appointed to repeat M. 
Aghard’s experiments give the moft fa- 
vourable report of the undertacing. 
The AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY of the 
DEPARTMENT of SEINE @#d OISE. 
This Society has offered the following 
prizes for the enfuing year: 
I. To determine what is the moft ad- 
vantageous term of years to be granted for 
leafes, to the mutual profit of the landlord 
and tenant, fuited to the various kinds of 
foil and methods of cultivation. 
If. For the »eft method ‘of cultivating 
vineyards and manufacturing wines. 
The prize will be adjudged to the fam- 
ple which prefents the greateft improve- 
inent of the common manufa¢ture from 
the fame foil and materials, 
2 
Proceedings of Public Societies 
[Nov. 1, 
The prize will be the Society’s Medal, 
to which the conful, Le Brun, will adda 
hundred francs. 
LYCEUM of the ARTS at PARIS.~ 
This Society which had laf year loft 
by fire their place of mecting in the Pa- 
lais Royal, affembled on the 27tn of July 
for the firft time in a very beautiful fitua- 
tion ofthe Oratoire. Moreau de St, Mery 
prefided, and. pronounced an appropriate 
difcourfe on the founding and progrefs of 
the Inftitution. Befides two eulogiums 
on deceafed members (Generals Monta- 
lembert and Coftel), reports were read as 
ufual on feveral new inventions and phy- 
fical and technolozical experiments. 
The Society makes honourable mention 
of the following memoirs, viz. by Ribouft 
on the Remains of feveral ancient Tem- 
ples and Baths, fimilar to thofe defcribed 
by Vitruvius, lately found under ground 
in the department of Ain. By Levraud, 
fhewing that moft of the perfons whe 
die of canine madnefs perifh for want 
of proper care, being thought incurable. 
By Brem on the penal laws of France 
compared to thole of England, and on 
the trial by jury. By Delunel, on the 
receipt for an indelible ink. By Reg- 
nier on a weighing machine to afcertain 
the weight of wheeled carriages. By La- 
blanc, on improvements in the manufac- 
ture of foda from fea-falt. 
The Society has adjudged prizes to 
Cit. Vialard and Heudier for the belt 
method of keeping together the texture of 
antient manufcripts, and reftoring the le- 
gibility of the charaéters. To Cit. Paul 
for improving the art of compofing mine- 
ral waters to refemble the natural {prings. 
To Cit. Raoul for a perfect manufacture 
of files, the make and temper of which are 
fo uniformly good as to be preferred in 
commerce to thofe of Englifh manufac- 
ture. To Cit. Lebrun for a new, ready, 
and cheap method (not connected with the 
ufe of oxy-muriatic aeid) of preparing an 
indigenous plant which grows abundantly 
in France, fo as to fupply the place of 
cotton; and for the civifm which he has 
fhewn in refifting very advantagcous offers 
from England. To Cit. Polot for a 
metHod of rendering every kind of leather 
impeivious to water, and yet preferving 
its foftne(s and pliability. 
On the 7th of Avguft, a new learned 
fociety, who cal] themfelves the Obfervers 
of Man, and who confine themfelves to 
anthropological inquiries, held their firft 
meeting at the ci-devant Hotel Rochefou- 
cault in Paris. CC. Defmaimievx was 
chofen 
