to time to discuss reported, discoveries in the scientific world and to suggest and criticize theories of their own. It is the largest of all the academies connected with the institute, having sixty-eight members, two secretaries, ten free members in training for vacancies in the active membership, ten honorary members residing in France, eight foreign associates and one hundred corresponding members. It receives an annual grant of 64,000 francs for publications and has a large amount of money at its disposal for prizes. The work of the academy, which is very extensive and which aims to cover the whole scientific field, is done through committees. In the mathematical section of the academy there are committees for geometry, mechanics, astronomy, geography and ship building. In the section devoted to physics there are committees for chemistry, mineralogy, botany, rural economy, anatomy, zoology, medicine and surgery. The sessions are on Mondays at 3 p.m., although the members of the academy are in their laboratories every day in the week with the exception of Sunday. Its work in science has perhaps been more brilliant and extensive than that of any other scientific academy in the world. It offers an annual prize of 3,000 francs for the best discussion which has appeared during the year on a mathematical topic or on one in physics. It has six Montyon prizes at its disposal, worth in all 44,845 francs. The valuable Laland prize for astronomical work is under its control. Its annual meeting is in December. Its Memoires are of the greatest value, and are highly prized by scientific students the world over. From property made over to it by the Due d'Aumale in 1886, at Chantilly, it is thought an income of at least 550,000 francs each year will be received. This income is not yet fully available.
The Academy of Fine Arts
The Academy of Fine Arts, though existing under this name only since 1795, was really founded by Mazarin in 1648 as an academy of painting. Sculpture was made one of its departments in 1664, music another in 1668, architecture another in 1671. In 1815 this academy was fourth in order of importance in the institute and in order of organization. At that time some of the first men in France were members of it. Its chief interest is, and has been, in and for the fine arts. In this department of study it has been preeminent. Although its publication fund has been only 6,000 francs a year, it has brought out many valuable works, among them a dictionary of the fine arts. It has forty members, ten associate members in training for the vacancies which may occur, ten foreign associate and sixty-one corresponding members. Its annual meeting is one of the great social events of the year. It takes place in October. Women are always present in large numbers. While the addresses are interesting, the chief attractions are
