PREFACE. 



the transmission of acquired mental characteristics in man. 

 i.e., of modified brain tissue. He urges that modern research 

 proves that man is responsible for his actions. The President, 

 Sir Joseph Fayrer, K.C.S.L, M.D., F.R.S., Dr. Robert Jones 

 (of Earlswood), Dr. Alfred T. Schofield, and others 

 joined in the discussion. " The Weak Sides of Natural 

 Selection," by Mr. J. W. Slater, F.C.S., F.E.S. ; in 

 considering which Professor E. Hull, LL.D., F.R.S., Dr. 

 H. B. Guppy, Dr. Gerard Smith, M.R.C.S., and several 

 naturalists took a part. " On Serpent Worship and on 

 the Venomous Snakes of India, and the Mortality caused 

 by them," by Sir Joseph Fayrer, K.C.S.L, M.D., F.R.S., who 

 very carefully describes the characteristics of every variety 

 of Indian snake, thus making his work of much value 

 to those resident in India ; the subject was discussed by 

 Sir Richard Pollock, K.C.S.L, and many Indian medical 

 men. — The circulation of proof copies of this paper among 

 many Indian and Colonial Members, caused a valuable 

 communication to be sent in by Dr. Augustus Mueller, 

 giving a careful and useful account of the success attend- 

 ing his method of applying an antidote in cases of snake 

 bite in Australia.* " Notes upon some of the Recent 

 Discoveries in the Realm of Assyriology, with special 

 reference to the private life of the Babylonians," by Mr. 

 T. G. Pinches, of the Department of Egyptian and 

 Assyrian Antiquities at the British Museum; this subject 

 was considered by Major C. R. Conder, R.E., D.C.L., 

 M. Bertin (the late), the Rev. H. G. Tomkins, and other 

 Assyriologists. " The Philosophical Basis of the Argument 

 from Design," by the Rev. J. H. Bernard, D.D. " On 

 Enigmatical Flint Bodies named Paramoudra." by Mr. 



* It is understood that a further trial of this remedy has since been 

 recommended to the authorities by the President of the Medical Board 

 at the India Office. 



