The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-11 00:00:00

FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

At the last sitting M. Faye read a paper the
advantages which must accrue to science from the
study of the figure of the earth, and concluded with
recommending the academy to use its interest with
the Government for the purpose of inducing it to
extend the great French meridian line to the limits
of Sahara. M. Elie de Beaumont, the perpetual
secretary, warmly seconded the recommendation. On
the same subject M. Leverrier read some remarks
on M. Biot's observations relative to M. Struve's
work on the Russian meridian, which had given
occasion to a recent discussion ; and showed that
M. Not was wrong in attributing to M. Struve the
intention of measuring an arc of the earth without
taking the irregularities of our globe into account,
since Marshal Vaillant had announced that M.
Struve proposed to measure a parallel from Astra-
kan to Brest, in order to ascertain whether the figure
of our planet has the shape of a revolving body.
M. Elie de Beaumont then suggested the expe-
diency of effecting a general triangulation of the
Marquesas Islands ; and subseqently stated that
the Isle of Wight was crossed from east to west
by a great line of dislocation, in which the chalky
and tertiary strata had actually assumed a vertical
position. This circumstance, he thought, might
tend to explain the anomalies existing in the south-
ern part of the British meridian. M. Seguier pro-
duced a fragment of an aeroith which had fallen
in the department of the Yonne on the Ist Oct.
last, and stated that as soon as he had collected
sufficient information on the subject, he would com-
municate a circumstantial .account of it to the
academy. M. Puesch gave a description of a female
child which lived fur thirty hours after its birth,
although its most vital organs presented very re-
markable anomalies and defects. M. Bogdanow, of
Moscow, wrote on the subject of the colours of the
plumage of birds, and announced that he had been
able to extract the colouring matter contained in
the feathers of the Gallows auriceps and other birds
by means of boiling alcohol. He further announced'
his intention of examining whether a given colour
met with in different orders of animals is produced
by the same or by different pigments. M. Leverrier
communicated a letter from M. Maury, director of
the observatory at Washington, announcing the
discovery of a new telescopic planet. The position
wa., Oct. 4th, mean time at Washington, 10h. 21m.
24.45.; right ascension, Oh. 57m. 29•245.; deena-
tion, north, 3 deg. 58 min. 37.3 sec. Diurnal mo-
tion in right ascension, 52 sec.; in declination, 3
min. 54 sec. The planet is of te 11th magnitude.
M. Leverrier, however, expressed an opinion that
this planet was probably identical with the 50th
planet discovered on the 19th ult. at Bilk by M.
Luther.—M. Tereil presented a lump of glass
crystallised after fusion, and gave an analysis of it,
showing that it contained but little alumina and
oxide of iron.—M. Decharmes communicated some
fresh in formation concerning the extraction of opium
from the common poppy at Amiens, announcing
that the quantity of morphine extracted from it
was this year 23 per cent., while in 1853, when the
attempt was first made there, it was only 14 per
cent.

Country IYlarketE,

LIVERPOOL—Noy. 10.

The grain trade during the weak has been fair, but only
for the passing consumption, and prices can scarcely be
quoted up or down. The prevailing monetary panic has
not yet touched our corn market, for the simple reason of
having so limited stocks to be affected by it. In 1847 we
held large stocks, and consequently could not help suffer-
ing. At present we feel safe, expecting liberal supplies,
which u ill be sold from on board ship rather than specu-
late for higher prices by going into store. The market this
morning was better attended by millers and dealers than
for some time, and a fair business transacted in wneat and
flour at a reduction of 2d to 3d per bushel on the former,
and is per sack and barrel on the latter. Indian corn gave
way in price to the extent of 6d to 9d per qr.