0.7 f. 



Annual Report. 37 



o 



The fourth report mentions, that an interesting Zoological 

 fact had been ascertained by Mr. Julieit Des Jardins, viz. 

 that the hybernation of animals is not confined to the colder 

 latitudes. Mr. Des Jardins discovered its existence in the 

 Tanrec or (Erinaceus Setosus) occurring when the temperature 

 falls to 26° to 20° cent. 



Descriptions of many species of fishes were presented to the 

 Society during those years, by M M. Lienard, Sen. and Jun. 

 and Mr. Julien Des Jardins : and Mr. Lienard, had pre- 

 sented a catalogue of an interesting collection from the west 

 coast of 3Iadagascar. Mr. Gondot had communicated from 

 that Island, a memoir on a hemii)terous insect of the new 

 subgenus Aphrophora. During the hottest period of the day, 

 this insect exudes so great a quantity of froth and water, that 

 Mr. GuNDOT was able, in a few hours, to fill several bottles, 

 by catching the moisture as it dropped from the branches and 

 leaves of one of the Mulberry trees which these insects frequent. 

 It is further noticed as the result of researches by the same 

 correspondent, that the northern parts of that island are very 

 healthy, and that the risk of being there attacked by the fevers 

 of tlie more southern districts, is comparatively slight. 



The Statistical Society of London has communicated with 

 the Institution, in regard to its purposes, and the Council. would 

 earnestly press on the attention of its Members the exceeding 

 advantage which may arise from our being in possession of 

 extended and accurate data, in regard to the condition and 

 progress of civil society, and it would remind them that the 

 collection of these data may be a matter of every-day occurrence, 

 and that many individuals possess permanently or occasionally 

 the most valuable opportunities for making the requisite obser- 

 vations, which derive their value chiefly from their number and 

 the continuance and regularity with which they arc made, in any 

 district. The Council has had the gratification of receiving 

 notice from the Attorney-General of the Colony, that his atten- 

 tion has been directed to tiiis subject, and that in consequence 

 of inquiries made by direction of the Colonial Government, he 

 is now in possession of a great amount of valuable details, which 

 are in course of being arranged and condensed, for the purpose 

 of being made public. Our researches here are not confined to 

 the domain of civilized life. The contrast of condition and 

 character, produced by the extremes of the variations of human 

 society, are constantly brought before us ; and we must remem- 

 ber, that these present a transitory picture to our consideration ; 

 and that no great number of generations may pass before the 

 peculiarities of savage life, with its characteristic purposes, 

 conduct, and affections, will be only matter of record. 



At no period of the world, perhaps, is the nature of man 



