166 Dr Pritcliarcl on the Extinction of Human Faces. 

 nearly a perfect series of the different species of animalcules, 

 were exhibited to the Academy. 



To this paper Professor Ehrenberg added a preliminary 

 smnmary of his examination of the Spiral-corals or Polytha- 

 lahiiae, considered in a zoological point of view. 



On the Extinction of Human Baces. By Dr Pritchard. 



While other branches of natural history are diligently cul- 

 tivated, no degree of general attention proportionable to its 

 importance is given to Ethnography, or the natural history of 

 the human races. It has appeared to me, for the follovving 

 reason, desirable to call attention to this remark. Opportu- 

 nities for pursuing the investigation to which I have alluded 

 are every day failing and disappearing for ever. This is not 

 the case with respect to other subjects in natural history or 

 general science. We might contrast the different depart- 

 ments of human knowledge in reference to the diu-ability of 

 the objects with which they are conversant. Mathematical 

 science properly so termed, contemplates only eternal and im- 

 mutable relations. The truths which it brings to light must 

 have been recognised, precisely as they are now known, from 

 all eternity, or where and whenever there were intelligences 

 caoable of apprehending them. The ahstract relation of num- 

 ber and space niust indeed have been the same, had no intel- 

 lect whatever existed in the universe ; but, as far as mankind 

 are concerned, it may perhaps be said, that the facts which 

 relate to inorganic nature are eternal truths, for matter, as 

 such, is to our view indestructible, as it is ingenerable and im- 

 mutable in its properties. Perpetuity of existence, so far as 

 our ideas and knowledge of time extend, belongs alike to the 

 smallest molecules of the unoi'ganized world, and to those great 

 masses which, revolving in the heavens age after age, have 

 offered themselves to the view of countless generations. It is 

 quite otherwise with all the productions of organic nature, which 

 exist only in series of similar individuals, destined, one after 

 another, to originate and decay, a destiny common alike to the 

 lords of the creation, and to the potherbs and legumes which 

 contribute to their daily food. But the organized world is 



