TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 12? 



might appear to have no validity against the hypothesis, if it were shown that in 

 these animals, in which the intestinal canal is short and the food rich in fat, the 

 large intestine may also be the seat of the absorption of fat. 



In reference to the porous canals mentioned above, the author wishes to explain 

 that the porous structure now described by him in the intestinal epithelium cells is 

 by no means the same as the pores of the epithelium alleged to exist by Keber in 

 his work entitled " Microscopic Researches on the Porosity of Bodies." Konigsberg, 

 1854. (See p. 38.) 



On the Hectocotylusj or Male of the Argonaut. 

 By Professor Kolliker, of Wurzburg. 



Professor Kolliker exhibited specimens of the Hectocotylus Argonauice, and of 

 the entire male of the same animal, from the coast of Sicily. The author referred 

 to the history of the progress of discovery with regard to the Hectocotylus of the 

 Cephalopoda ; the opinion of its parasitic nature adopted by Cuvier on its first dis- 

 covery ; Professor Kolliker's own observations in 1842 (published in 1845), which 

 showed that the Hectocotylus itself must necessarily belong to the Cephalopods, 

 and plaj'ed the part of a male ; the observations of H. Miiller, who was so fortunate 

 as to find the whole male, and thus to point out that the Hectocotylus is a peculiar 

 and highly developed arm, destined for the purpose of fecundation ; and to the 

 observations of C. Vogt made shortly afterwards on the Octopus Carena. Speci- 

 mens were exhibited, showing the various stages of development of the fecundating 

 arm or Hectocotylus attached, and enclosed in its sac, on the male, and also in the 

 detached state, which the author explained to the Section. 



On the Form and Dimensions of the Human Body, as ascertained by a 



Universal Measurer or Ajirlrotneter. By James Macdonald. 

 Communicated by Professor William Macdonald, M.D., St. Andrew's. 



Mr. Macdonald exhibited the use of this instrument, and in a paper accompanied 

 by elaborate tables, he stated the results at which he had arrived from a vast num- 

 ber of measurements as to the average propoitions of the human body and its parts 

 in adult life, and at different ages, and pointed out the various important uses to 

 which a more accurate determination of these proportions may be applied in the 

 public service and otherwise. 



The average height of adult men in Scotland was found to be 67 inches, the head 

 and neck lOi inches, the head and trunk 25 inches, the lower limbs from.the division 

 of the body or fork 3 1 ' inches. The average circumference of the chest is 36 inches, 

 and that of the hips nearly the same. 



The feet have attained their full length at 16 years of age, the legs at 18, but the 

 trunk not till 25 years. The girth of the hips attains its full size soon after 18 ; 

 that of the chest continues to increase for several years later, or nearly up to 25 

 years of age. . 



In the transverse section of a well-formed body, the arms are placed midway 

 between the front and back, and occupy each about one-sixth of the circumference. 

 In this case the seciion is oval or elliptical. When it is more nearly circular, the 

 arms are set more backwards ; when the chest is flat the arms are set more for- 

 wards. 



Mr. Macdonald pointed out the relation between the various differences in these 

 proportions and the capacity of the individual for different kinds of exertion, as in 

 walking, running, leaping, the use of firearms, &c. 



The following table presents in round numbers (or without the smallest fractions), 

 .the general result of the measurements of 144 adult men taken promiscuously from 

 804. The numbers express English inches and their parts. Each line gives the 

 average of twelve individuals of the stature within the limits stated in the first 

 column. 



