148 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. vi. 



to the structure and functions or life history of man have been 

 received and discussed. Such I understand to be the arrano-ement 

 under which we shall meet on this occasion. At the conclusion 

 of my remarks, therefore, the sub-section for Anatomy and Physi- 

 ology will remain with me in this room ; while the sub-section of 

 Zoology and Botany, on the one hand, and of Anthropology on 

 the other, will adjourn to the apartments which have been provided 

 for them respectively, 



ANTHROPOLOGY. 



With regard to the position of Anthropology, as including Ethno- 

 logy, and comprehending the whole natural history of man, there 

 ma}' be still some differences of opinion, according to the point of 

 view from which its phenomena are regarded : as by some they 

 may be viewed chiefly in relation to the bodily stucture and func- 

 tion of individuals or numbers of men ; or as by others they may 

 be considered more directly with reference to their national cha- 

 racter and history, and the affinities of languages and customs ; or 

 by a third set of inquirers, who are inclined to devote their prin- 

 cipal attention to the facts and views bearing upon the origin of 

 man and his relation to animals. As the first and third of these 

 sets of topics entirely belong to Biology, and as those parts of the 

 second set which do not properly fall under that branch may with 

 propriety find a place under Geography or Statistics, I feel inclined 

 to adhere to the distinct reco2;nition of a sub-section — Anthro- 

 pology, in its present form ; and I think that the suitableness of 

 this arrangement is apparent, from the nature and number of 

 the communications properly falling under such a sub-section 

 which have been received under the last distribution of the sub- 

 jects. 



CONDITION OF BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH. 



The beneficial influence of the British Association in promoting 

 biological research is made apparent by the number and import- 

 ance of the reports on various subjects, as well as of the commu- 

 nications to the sections. Of the latter, the number received 

 annually has been nearly doubled in the course of the last twenty 

 years. Nor can it be doubted that this influence has been ma- 

 terially assisted by the contributions in money made by the 

 Association in aid of various biological investigations ; for it 

 appears that out of the whole sum of nearly £34,500 contributed 

 by the Association to the promotion of scientific research, about 



