PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 433 



well-known Ruffed Grous of North America, forming with it a distinctly-cha- 

 racterized genus, with partly naked legs. Mr. Blyth then discoursed at some 

 length on the general structure of the class of Birds, and exhibited analogous 

 portions of the skeletons of various groups, to illustrate the variations which they 

 presented. He dwelt especially on the importance of studying all parts of an 

 animal's structure, in order to attain a just idea of its systematic relations. The 

 necessity of a knowledge of Anatomy in the investigation of zoological classifica- 

 tion is so obvious, that it seems surprising that its utility should ever have been 

 questioned ; but probably the too exclusive use made of this valuable assistant 

 by some naturalists may have" induced the obloquy into which it has sunk even 

 among some of our leading zoologists. — Mr. Blyth expressed a wish that the 

 museum of the Society should be select rather than extensive, affirming that a 

 comparatively small number of species, illustrative of the principal types or 

 models of structure, would amply suffice for scientific purposes, if exhibited in all 

 the progressive stages of their outward covering, and also in the various dif- 

 ferential details of their anatomy. — N. A. Vigors, Esq., M.P., D.C.L., followed, 

 with some observations to the same effect, remarking how necessary it is for those 

 who wish to advance scientific Zoology, to penetrate somewhat deeper than the 

 mere surface. Of course no classification could be relic*! on which was founded 

 only on one system of organs, whether they were external or internal ; it was on 

 the totality of character that the natural system reposed, upon the whole rather 

 than upon a part ; and an arrangement based on the entire conformation 

 must necessarily be permanent, and constitute a secure foundation on which to 

 generalize. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Feb. 21. — Rev. Wm. Whewell, Pres., in the chair. — A paper was read on 

 part of Asia-Minor, by W. J. Hamilton, Esq., Sec.G.S. This memoir gave a 

 detailed account of the author's observations on the geological structure of the 

 country from Mount Hassan Dagh, near Akserai (lat. 38° 20 v N., long, about 34°) 

 to the great salt lake of Toozla, Kodj-hissar, and thence eastwards to Ceesarea 

 and Mount Argaeus. 



March 7. — The Pres. in the chair. — A notice, by H. E. Strickland, Esq., 

 F.G.S., of Cracombe House, was read, on some remarkable dikes of Calcareous 

 Grit, which intersect the Lias Shale, on the shore at Ethie, in Ross-shire. 

 These dikes were noticed by Mr. Murchison, in 1826. Mr. Strickland offered 

 no explanation of their origin, but wished to draw the further attention of 

 geologists to the phenomena which they present. — A paper by Charles Darwin, 

 Esq., Sec.G.S., was then read, " On the connection of certain volcanic phenomena, 



