ANNUAL MEETING, 249 



recently spent many years, as having a religion composed of 

 Christian, Heathen, and Jewish elements. Dr. Chaplin, the Revs. 

 Dr. Mathews and Dr. Walker, travellers in the East, and others 

 took part in the discussion. 

 Monday, April 18. — A Lecture on "The Design of the Human Foot." 

 By Gerard Smith, Esq., M.R.C.S. 



The author showed how the human foot offers a valuable example 

 of a limb formed for its work (as opposed to the contention that 

 the human body is an imperfect result of the action of environ- 

 ment), he described its mechanical arrangement as unique, and 

 " ministering to the unique human physical advantage, — that of 

 the perfect erect posture.''' 

 Monday, May 2. — "Farther investigations regarding tlie submerged 

 terraces and river valleys off the British Isles." By Professor E. 

 Hull, LL.D., F.R.S. (See vol. xxx, p. 305.) _ 



The author described his i-ecent investigations in regard to 

 these, and the evidence they appeared to afford of stupendous 

 physical changes in the past. Professors Ethei'idge, F.R.S., Rupert 

 Jones, F.R.S. , and others welcomed the paper as a valuable 

 contribution to our geological knowledge, and as affording fresh 

 matter to be taught in geological text books. 

 Monday, May 16.— "The Philosophy of Education." By A. T. 

 ScHOFiELD, Esq., M.D. {Publication unavoidably delayed.) 



The author described the results of a long study of the method 



of educating the young, and the formation of their character, and 



referred to points which seemed to be far too much lost sight of in 



the present day to the injury of the race. 



Monday, July 18. The Annucd Meetmg. Address " On the Perception 



of Colour." By the President, Sir (J. G. Stokes, Bart., F.R.S. 



Puhlications. 



The Queen having in past years added the whole of tlie 

 Transactions of the Institute to Her own library, the last 

 volume, with a complete list of all the Members and Associates 

 supporting the Institute named in Her Majesty's honour, 

 was specially submitted. Her Majesty commanded that her 

 thanks might be expressed for the same. 



The thirtieth volume of the Journal of Transactions is 

 now in the press. It contains the subjects brought before 

 meetings of the Institute and discussed, together with the 

 communications received from Members in the country and 

 abroad, who have added to the value of the discussions 

 by sending in communications on the subjects considered.* 



* Among the subjects in the xxxth volume " the history of Manikka 

 Vacagar, the Indian Sage," is well worthy of consideration, not only in India 

 but nearer home, where it has become fashionable amongst some to speak 

 with high approval of —and even to adopt — Buddhist views. The warn- 

 ings of Manikka convey both a lesson and a reproof to those who, having 

 the Light, seek instead a darkness which even he so desired to dispel. 



