542 Meeting of the British Association. [ Oct., 
globe, and in past times, when it became an important aid to the 
geologist, as the Science Paleontology. All these studies had 
regard only to the form, and did not deal, strictly speaking, with 
the reason why these forms existed, or their functions in any way. 
Hence Development, Anatomy, Taxonomy, and Distribution were 
arranged under the great division Morphology. Physiology was 
the other great division of Biology ; comprising the study of the 
functions of individuals and their organs, and that other branch of 
inquiry, of a far wider and more comprehensive nature, the reason 
of the existence of all forms of life, their mutual relations and the 
causes which affected their form and habit. This was almost a 
new study, and its foundations as a science had been laid by Mr. 
Darwin. 
With regard to the arrangements of Section D, it was im- 
possible for one assembly to take interest in and discuss papers on 
all the branches of Biological Science. The reason of this was to 
be found in the utter neglect of Scientific education in our schools 
and the indifference of the Universities.. The most philosophical 
division of the Section would doubtless be divided into two, a 
Morphological and a Physiological, but this would not be con- 
venient, and it was doubtful if a strictly Physiological Section 
could be well maintained, since a thorough acquaintance with the 
Sciences of Physics and Chemistry was necessary for the pursuit of 
Physiology. The Council of the Association had recommended, 
purely as a matter of convenience, that a department should be 
allowed for that numerous body of persons who were pursuing the 
Science of Man; and that another should be arranged in order to 
facilitate the discussion of questions in which the medical men who 
attend the Association are interested, and which have not a general 
interest. This department would receive the title of Physiology, 
though the term was used of course in a limited sense. 
In the discussion which followed, Dr. Humphry expressed great 
dissatisfaction with the subordinate position assigned to his depart- 
ment (Physiology). Dr. Hughes Bennett wished for equal sections 
of “ Zoology and Botany” and “Physiology and Anatomy.” Sir 
John Lubbock thought the present arrangement satisfactory, since 
it prevented the physiologists from taking papers on general 
anatomy. The President refrained from expressing any opinion ; 
saying that what had been done was done by the Council for con- 
venience. 
In the brief notice of the papers read in this Section which we 
shall give, the papers bearing on systematic Zoology, Anatomy, 
Development, Distribution, Physiology, and Anthropology, will be 
taken in order of subjects. First, with regard to general anatomy, 
zoology, and botany (a vague term, but indicating very well the 
character of many papers), Professor Alfred Newton read the report 
