36 [February, 



instances the characters possessed by the artificial varieties, are absolutely 

 impossible in the plan on which the genus, or even the order, is created. 



Instances of such permanent varieties may be readily recalled by every one ; 

 some of the most familiar are : the hornless variety of domestic cattle; the" tail- 

 less variety of domestic cat, found in the Isle of Man ; the long-haired cat, known 

 as the Angora, or Persian cat; the various forms of fowls with additional toes, 

 and without tails ; the varieties of pigeons and fowls with uncouth and distorted 

 arrangement of plumage. 



The origin of some of these is lost in the depths of the past, while others are 

 continually being introduced. 



In all the examples cited above, it will be found that the monstrosity depends 

 on the loss of a character belonging to every species of the genus or tribe to 

 which the parent stock belongs, or on the assumption of a character not found in 

 any species or genus of that group. 



In the case of the hornless cattle, the part wanting, if not entirely coextensive 

 with the order of ruminants, is at least essential to the genus Bos. 



In the anomalously feathered varieties of fowls and pigeons, the animal assumes 

 structures either unknown in the groups to which it belongs, or else (as in the 

 case of the * ruffler') entirely impossible in any species of bird whatever. 



The novelty in this principle is, that in the disputed cases of plural origin, the 

 slightness of the unchangeable differences, found in different races, becomes a 

 very strong, and, indeed, an invincible argument against the supposition that they 

 have been derived from each other by the operation of external or internal causes. 



The advocates of the single origin of man or of dogs, are therefore in the 

 unpleasant predicament of having proved too much, since the difference between 

 the latter, on comparison with undeniable distinct wild species of wolf and fox, 

 are in those characters which alone can manifest specific distinction. 



In the case of man the differences are in such particulars as alone could be 

 changed without degrading him from his place at the head of the organic world. 



It is almost needless for me to add that this principle extends to the vegetable 

 kingdom, as every one will at once see in greenhouse and domestic plants, that 

 the cultivated varieties are distinguished from each other by important structural 

 differences, not recognized in the genera to which they belong. 



In all species or races there are individual differences of less importance than 

 specific characters, which by care may be isolated, and form what are apparently 

 races. Thus snub noses almost invariably reproduce snubs ; aquiline noses, in 

 the same way, continue in families for numbers of generations. Yet, not to speak 

 of the unimportance of such marks, these cases may be distinguished by the fre- 

 quency with which exceptions occur. The numerous varieties of cultivated 

 fruits come under this head. 



Fehriiary 24:fh. 



Vico President Bridges in the Chair. 



The Committee to which was referred the following papers by Dr. Le 

 Coute, reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings : 



Hints tovjards a Natural Classification of the Family Histrini of ColeojHcrous 



hisecls. 



' By John L. Le Conte, M.D. 



It is rarely that any subject treated by the illustrious Erichson is found capable 

 of improvement. It is therefore with rehictance and hesitation that after a mi- 

 nute study of the North American species oi Hister, I find myself under the 



