January 8, 1920] 



NATURE 



485 



(Zoology), on subjects of less local interest, stimulated 

 the most important discussions held during the pro- 

 c«-edings of the Section. Mr. C. Tate Regan initiated 

 one of these on the past history of continents as 

 indicated by the distribution of fresh-water fishes ; and 

 Mr. D. M. S. Watson, a second, on palaeontology and 

 the evolution theory. Mr. Watson submitted that the 

 data of palaeontology cannot suggest the mechanism 

 of evolution in the way that experimental biology and 

 genetics can, but any evolutionary scheme must be 

 consistent with these palaeontological facts. The fossil 

 record shows that intermediate groups rarely occur 

 between two types; that innovations in any form, 

 once initiated, tend to persist; and that innovations 

 only arise from the more primitive members of a 

 stock, i.e. from those which have retained their evolu- 

 tionary plasticity. 



The suggestion offered from the pal»ontological 

 argument is that evolution is due to the operation of 

 a variety of non-correlated factors, and that the initia- 

 tion of a great group may be brought about by a set 

 of nearly contemporaneous saltations. 



Most of the speakers who followed commented on 

 londitions seen in the groups they were specially 

 interested in, and cases of convergence, divergence, 

 homoplasy, rejuvenation, and extinction were in- 

 stanced from the biological and palaeontological 

 records, all of which had to be taken info considera- 

 tion in formulating any scheme of evolution. As 

 showing the difliculties to be overcome, the case of 

 the great auk was mentioned. Here a well-known 

 bird had become extinct, yet no reason could be 

 assigned save by postulating that a racial senility 

 had set in, with a consequent loss of plasticity. The 

 difficulties confronting the explanation of extinction 

 in former ages were correspondingly greater in that 

 we could not know accurately the conditions prevailing 

 at those times. 



The consensus of opinion was, however, that a re- 

 statement of the pateontological record in the light of 

 present biological experimental results had become 

 necessary, and the hope was expressed that this dis- 

 cussion might stimulate soma such work. 



Two exceedingly valuable contributions on aspects 

 of geological research in our Colonies were pres<'nted 

 by Dr. Miller on the pre-Cambrian rocks of Central 

 Canada, and by Mr. .A. E. Kitson on the discoverv 

 of diamonds in the Gold Coast. The former paper 

 records a reasoned attempt to place the correlation 

 *of the pre-Cambrian rocks of Canada on a sound 

 basis. This is very important in view of the fact that 

 many minerals of economic value are associated with 

 that series. The author directed attention to certain 

 points where he had altered former correlations of 

 these rocks, and especially to the discarding of the 

 term "Huronian." The reason justifving the changed 

 nomenclature is that Logan's name "Huronian" 

 included two series of rocks, and later writers 

 have applied it sometimes to one set and sometimes 

 to the other, thus leading to confusion. New names 

 have, therefore, been adopted for each set. 



Mr. Kitson 's discovery of diamonds in the Gold 

 Coast was made so recently that no estimate can be 

 made of its ultimate importance. Unfortunatelv, the 

 paper was read at the end of the sectional proceedings, 

 and there was not sufficient opportunitv for discussion 

 of the many interesting points raised. The whole 

 question of the conditions of production of diamond 

 in Nature is again opened up bv the fact that no 

 important basic igneous rocks, like the kimberlite of 

 South .\frica, occur in the whole surveved area of 

 the Gold Coast. The specimens so far obtained were 

 exhibited, and all were small, but exploitation of the 

 diamantiferous gravels may lead to the discoverv of 

 larger and more valuable specimens. 



NO. 2619, VOL. IO4I 



Other interesting communications on British geology 

 were presented by Prof. S. H. Reynolds on the 

 Lower Carboniferous rocks of the .^von section, 

 Clifton ; by Dr. Evans on the correlation of the marine 

 Devonian rocks of North Devon and Somerset ; and 

 by Prof. Kendall and Dr. Gilligan on types of faults 

 in the Coal Measures. 



Two important papers have been left for considera- 

 tion until the end, though they were read at an early 

 part of the proceedings. In such an interesting dis- 

 trict from a geological point of view it was felt that 

 the Sectional Excursions ought to bulk largely, and 

 consequently the general arrangement of the pro- 

 gramme was correlated with the excursions to be 

 held during the meeting. The first day's programme, 

 therefore, included a description of the Tertiarv rocks 

 of the Hampshire basin by Dr. W. T. Ord, and was- 

 followed by an excursion under his leadership to the 

 Bournemouth cliffs, where the Lower Tertiary rocks 

 were examined. This examination was continued, 

 three days afterwards, by a visit to Barton and Hordle 

 led bv Mr. H. W. Monckton, when the L'pper Eocene 

 beds, long famous for their marine fossils, were 

 searched by many of the party with considerable 

 success. 



The lecture by Sir .\ubrey Strahan on the geology 

 of the Mesozoic rocks of the Bournemouth area was 

 introductory , to visits to Swanage, Lulworth, and 

 Kimmeridge, the first two led by the author and the 

 last bv Dr. J. W. Evans. On these various excursions 

 the structures which dominate the whole trend of 

 the southern coastline were demonstrated, as was the 

 manner in which the effect of these structures had 

 been modified bv subsequent denudation. Several of 

 the curious natural phenomena, such as Lulworth 

 Cove, Stair Cove, Durdle Door, etc., familiar to most 

 geological students through the activitv of the Com- 

 mittee for the Collection of Geological Photographs, 

 were fullv explained in the field. 



The classic section at Kimmeridge was visited on 

 the dav following the official termination of the meet- 

 ing, but, none the less, a large party was led by Dr. 

 Evans along a most interesting coast section. 



ECONOMICS AT THE BRITISH 

 ASSOCIATION. 



AT the meeting of the British Association held in 

 Bournemouth last September, Sir Hugh Bell pre- 

 sided over Section F (Economics), and in his presidential 

 address emphasised the need for increased production, 

 holding that by thus serving the common weal each 

 one would at the same time be serving his own best 

 interests. 



In the discussion of problems of labour and capital 

 a paper was read by the Right Hon. F. Huth Jackson 

 on " The National Alliance of Employers and Em- 

 p.oyed." Comparison was made between the objects 

 of the alliance and those of the Whitley Committees. 

 While the latter stood for improvement in the 

 commercial and working conditions in single indus- 

 tries, the former was also intended to bring together 

 the employers and employed in all industries in a par- 

 ticular area with the object of improving not only the 

 industrial, but also the housing, educational, and 

 recreational conditions of the district. 



Problems arising out of the war conditions were 

 dealt with from three sides. The Hon. Sir Charles 

 G. Wade approached the question of prices from the 

 side of Government control, making special reference 

 to the experience of Australia. The degree of success 

 attained by the method of price-fixing during the war 

 must not, he held, be taken as a guide for peace con- 

 ditions. Apart from complete State control of Indus- 



