ANTHr.OPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 55 



line, the Anniilosa, to the Arthropoda, cuhiiinating in the higher in- 

 sects. Here this branch appears to cease and is wholly separated 

 from any of the higher forms of animal life. Here Prof. Thomas 

 believed was a true discontinuity. 



On the other hand, starting near the same point, was another 

 branch embracing the mollusca. 



The great vertebrate line, instead of originating from any of the 

 higher forms of either of these branches, was supposed to arise di- 

 rectly or through a few transitional forms out of the Tunicata, the 

 ascidian form. 



There are many diverging branches, and as it appeared to be a 

 law that no diverging line ever returned to the main stem or co- 

 alesced with another there must be discontinuities. No evolutionist 

 can admit that there are any absolute gaps or breaks in the line of 

 development, as this would be fatal to his theory. The line must 

 be continous or the theory must fall to the ground. 



Mr. Mason said that phenomena might be associated in such 

 groups as to be habitually observed together. Now, the mind be- 

 ing turned for a while toward one part of a group, returns to find a 

 great change. There has been a discontinuity. Let us further 

 illustrate. If we were studying Indian pottery, we should want to 

 investigate the material, the implements, the agent, the process, the 

 finished product, and the design, or final cause. Here are six sets 

 of entirely different observations, the discontinuance of any one of 

 which would produce an apparent discontinuity in the final result. 

 The material might give out ; it might be replaced by other material ; 

 new tools might be invented or imparted. The change of social 

 order might throw the industry into other hands, as for instance, 

 potters might become men instead of women The introduction of 

 varied processes, the multiplication of functions by the increase of 

 wants would bring about the same result. The disconnections are 

 apparent therefore, they are not real. In short, discontinuity any- 

 where either in natural or social phenomena is impossible. 



Eighty-First Regular Meeting, April i, 1884. 



Dr. Robert Fletcher, Vice-President, in the Chair. 

 The Secretary of the Council announced the election of the fol- 

 lowing members : 



