UJJXEAN SOClEXY op LOSDOK. 11 



eliminated ; for only those which have been normally inherited 

 can be admitted into an evolutionary classification, at least, as at 

 present understood. 



The author contends therefore that the present exclusive ad- 

 herence, for all purposes of description, to the Linnean binomial 

 system which implies classification, when classification can only be 

 attained as the end and crown of our work, is philosophically 

 absurd and practically disastrous. The absurdity of starting by 

 assuming what it is the object of all our researches to find out is 

 self-evident ; while the hindrance to progress due to waste of 

 energy, to the assumption that the goal is attained, to the natural 

 indisposition to rearrange previous classifications, to the synonymies 

 which continually grow and must ever continue to grow as our 

 knowledge, which advances in spite of our methods, compels us to 

 bring our premature classifications nearer and nearer to the natural 

 order — only need to be mentioned to be equally self-evident. 



A provisional nomenclature is therefore proposed in order to 

 make work possible in those groups in which, as in the Corals, 

 classification, except in its barest outlines, is premature. The 

 author suggests that this consists (1) of the existing generic name 

 (or when that cannot be discovered, the family name) ; (2) of the 

 locality in which each specimen has been found ; (3) of a fraction 

 which can be understood from the following illustration: — '■'■Porites, 

 Singapore 4/20 '" would mean that there are twenty apparently 

 distinct forms of Forites kno^vn to occur at Singapore, and the 

 particular one referred to is that which was described and figured 

 as number 4. If a new Forites be found in the same locality, i. e., 

 a Forites not immediately referable to any yet figured, its designa- 

 tion for reference would be " Porites, Singapore 21/21." The 

 formula which shall be ultimately agreed upon ought to be formally 

 adopted. 



A discussion followed, in which Prof. E. Eay Lankester, Sir W. 

 T. Thiselton-Dyer, Mr. H. J. Elwes, with Mr. iateson and Prof. J . 

 Bell (visitors) took part. 



It was proposed by Prof. Lankester that the discussion should be 

 adjourned to another meeting, when resolutions could be submitted, 

 which, having been seconded by Mr. Elwes, was carried. 



February 21st, 1901. 



Dr. A. GtJNiHiE, E.R.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. 



Mr. E. Morton Middleton, F.L.S., exhibited and made remarks 

 on a series of Virginian Oysters of certified ages, on which some 

 observations were made by Prof. Howes and Dr. H. L. Jameson. 



Mr. H. E. Smedley, F.L.S., exhibited with the aid of the Lantern 



