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SCIENCE.

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The SPANISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES have announced the following subject
for competition: "An experimental investigation and explanation of
the theory of nitrification, the causes which most influence the
production of this phenomenon, and the means most conducive in Spain
to natural nitrification." The prize, to be awarded in May 1851, is to
be a gold medal and 6000 copper reals--about seventy pounds sterling;
and a second similar medal will be given to the second best paper. The
papers, written in Spanish or Latin, are to be sent in before the 1st
May, with, as usual, the author's name under seal.

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IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TELEGRAPH.--The _Presse_ gives some account of
experiments made at the house of M. de Girardin, in Paris, with a
new telegraphic dictionary, the invention of M. Gonon. Dispatches
in French, English, Portuguese, Russian, and Latin, including proper
names of men and places, and also figures, were transmitted and
translated, says this account, with a rapidity and fidelity alike
marvelous, by an officer who knew nothing of any one of the languages
used except his own. Dots, commas, accents, and breaks were all in