1869. J MEETING OP THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 309 



this metal had previously been found in animals — for example, in 

 oysters, to the cost of those who partook of them. But in these 

 cases the presence of the copper was merely accidental ; thus 

 oysters that live near the mouths of streams which came down 

 from copper-mines, assimilated a portion of the copper salt, with- 

 out apparently its doing them either good or harm. But in the 

 Turaco the existence of the red colouring matter which belongs to 

 their normal plumage is dependent upon copper, which, obtained 

 in minute quantities with the food, is stored up in this strange 

 manner in the system of the. animal. Thus in the very same 

 feather, partly red and partly black, copper was found in abun- 

 dance in the red parts, but none or only the merest trace in the 

 black. 



This example warns us against taking too utilitarian a view of 

 the plan of creation. Here we have a chemical substance elaborated 

 which is perfectly unique in its nature, and contains a metal the 

 salts of which are ordinarily regarded as poisonous to animals ; and 

 the sole purpose to which, so far as we know, it is subservient in 

 the animal economy is one of pure decoration. Thus a pair of 

 the birds which were kept in captivity lost their fine red colour in 

 the course of a few days, in consequence of washing in the water 

 which was left them to drink, the red colouring matter, which is 

 soluble in water, being thus washed out ; but except as to the loss 

 of their beauty it does not appear that the birds were the worse 

 for it. 



REPORT OF THE '' CLOSE TIME " COMMITTEE. 



On behalf of the Committee, Mr. Dresser advocated a close 

 time being secured for various birds in the same manner as is 

 secured in foreign countries. The discussion was principally 

 remarkable for the remarks of Professor Huxley against having a 

 close time at all, and against the Preservation of Animals, &c., 

 Act, particularly in its application to the deep-sea fisheries. 

 Professor Huxley contended that that Act was useless, mischievous 

 and meddling ; and stated that the gulls, which had been pro- 

 tected by recent legislation, were of no further use, and could be 

 put to no higher service, than when they furnished their plumage 

 to surmount the bonnets of the interesting sex. He generally 

 ridiculed the idea of having a legislative " close time " for such 

 birds. Opposite views were advocated by the Rev. H. B. Trist- 

 ram, Mr. Wallis, Professor Newton and Miss Becker. Some 



