84 NATURAL SCIENCE. Feb.. 



fessor Weldon : — " It cannot be too strongly urged that the problem 

 of animal evolution is essentially a statistical problem : that before 

 we can properly estimate the changes at present going on in a race 

 or species we must know accurately (a) the percentage of animals 

 which exhibit a given amount of abnormality with regard to a par- 

 ticular character ; (b) the degree of abnormality of other organs 

 which accompanies a given abnormality of one ; (c) the difference 

 between the death rate per cent, in animals of different degrees of 

 abnormality with respect to anj^ organ ; (d) the abnormality of off- 

 spring in terms of the abnormality of parents, and vice vevsn. These 

 are all questions of arithmetic ; and when we know the numerical 

 answers to these questions for a number of species we shall know 

 the direction and the rate of change in these species at the present 

 day — a knowledge which is the only legitimate basis for speculations 

 as to their past history and future fate." 



Jamaica and Scientific Federation. 



The Institute of Jamaica has just issued its Annual Report for 

 1892-3. Under the late curatorship of Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell, 

 the Museum seems to have advanced both in scientific importance 

 and popular favour, although economic entomology has taken up 

 much time that might otherwise have been devoted to collecting. 

 The list of 32 specialists in various parts of the world to whom 

 specimens were sent for identification occasions the following excel- 

 lent remarks : " It is by means of this correspondence, and through 

 publications, that the Institute becomes of international importance ; 

 and it is submitted that no museum can be efficient as a local 

 exponent of scientific principles unless it is in this sense international. 

 For this reason, although the Museum is supported by the people of 

 Jamaica, it is felt that a naturalist in New Zealand or Japan is as 

 much entitled to information or specimens (provided they are for the 

 purpose of serious study) as a resident of this island. This principle 

 is so well recognised among naturalists that assistance is asked of 

 any specialist, with the full confidence that, if possible, it will be 

 granted. To cite an example. The Institute has been continually 

 indebted to the United States Department of Agriculture for all sorts 

 of help, which has been given as freely as if Jamaica were United 

 States territory."' 



How strong a contrast are these words to those which, on another 

 page of the report, the Board feel compelled to use concerning the 

 attitude of the people of Jamaica towards an institution that should 

 be far more intimately connected with them ! •' The interest taken in 

 the Imperial Institute in America is," they say, " of a very dis- 

 couraging character." This is to be regretted, but also to be excused. 

 What does a Jamaican arriving in London first learn of this 



