PREFACE. XI 



Charles Gordon, K.C.B., Professor A. H. Sayce, D.D., 

 Professor E. Hull, LL.D., F.R.S. " Scientific Research 

 and Biblical Study," by the Rev. Canon R. B. Girdle- 

 STONE, M.A. ; the Rev. A. LowY, LL.D., and others took 

 part in a discussion illustrating the value of the position 

 the Institute has always sought to maintain, and the ill 

 consequences of attempting to square every passing phase 

 of scientific research with revelation, forgetful of the fact 

 that science is ever-advancing, and therefore ever-chang- 

 ing its aspects. " On certain inscriptions and records 

 referring to Babylonia and Elam and their rulers, and other 

 matters," by Mr. Theophilus G. Pinches, M.R.A.S., of the 

 Department of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum. 

 This paper is rich in the light thrown by the author and 

 other leading scholars upon the history of the past. The 

 difficulties attendant upon critical research among Baby- 

 lonian records have in this case been not a whit less than 

 usual ; but whilst they have caused delay, that has been 

 taken advantage of to include in the paper the results of 

 further valuable researches up to the present autumn, 1897, 

 on the part of the author, Professors Sayce and HOMMEL. 

 " China's place in Ancient History," by Surgeon-General 

 Sir Charles A. Gordon, M.D., K.C.B., Q.H.P., in other 

 words the contemporaneous history of nations. "The 

 Polynesians and their plant-names," by Dr. H. B. GUPPY, 

 an inquiry, by means of the plant-names of Polynesia, into 

 the origin of its inhabitants. A note from Professor 

 Max Muller emphasises the importance of this paper, 

 and Dr. John Eraser, of New South Wales, contributes 

 valuable matter. " On the evolution of the Natural and the 

 Artificial," by Dr. Alfred T. Schofield, to the discussion 

 on which Professor Lionel S. Beale, M.B., E.R.S., Dr. 

 Gerard Smith, and others contribute. " On the causes of 

 the Ice Age," by Mr. Warren Upham, of the United 

 States ; the discussion on which includes the last com- 

 munication received from the late Sir Joseph Prestwich, 

 D.C.L., F.R.S., and remarks by Sir G. G. Stokes, Bart., F.R.S., 



