TN THE PETER REDPATH MUSEUM OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY, ETC. 259 



The Chairman (Dr. T. Chaplin). — T am sure you will all agree 

 that the Institute is greatly indebted to Sir William Dawson for 

 his most valuable paper, and also to Mr, Slater, who has so ably 

 read it. 



Probably at no previous period liave questions relating to 

 primitive man been of higher interest and more importance than 

 at the present time. Questions relating to his origin, his physical 

 conformation, his social customs, his religion, his relation to races 

 which still exist — all these are of the very highest scientific and 

 social importance. We are therefore the more indebted, to the 

 author of this paper. There are doubtless many here who, having 

 made the subject of the paper their special study, will favour us 

 with their opinions thereon. 



Professor E. Hull, LL.D., P.R.S. — Mr. Chairman, I desire to 

 echo your words expressing special gi'atitude to the author of this 

 most valuable paper. 



A Visitor. — The author has undoubtedly shown the importance 

 of a study of the anthropology of Northern Africa, which is one of 

 the many reasons why this paper is of such use ; it has brought up 

 to the present time all the leading points relating to this people. 

 They have entirely disappeared as a race, and it is important that 

 we should have all the information that can be gathered in regard 

 to them. This paper collects together much matter that might 

 otherwise have been lost to us, and no doubt it will be the basis of 

 further study by others. 



Rev. Dr. A. LowY. — I would venture to make one short remark, 

 namely, that although the Guanches have disposed of the subject, 

 so to speak, for themselves, the museums may have something to 

 say bearing on the question of departed spirits. I mean to say, 

 that considering the Guanches were so anxious to preserve the 

 body after the death of the individual, they must have had some 

 ideas about a life after death. Those nations that are anxious to 

 3)reserve the identity, if I may say so, of the dying individual, 

 liave, at the same time, always connected with it the idea that there 

 is something to live for hereafter — another life ; and therefore, a 

 museum tells the story of — life after death. It is a very interesting 

 point. 



The meeting was then adjourned. 



