444 



NA TURE 



[September i, 1904 



very able investigations, but also for the stirnulus which 

 he imparted to research in some of the branches of this 

 comprehensive science. Secondly, my object has been- to 

 reply to some criticisms offered in regard to points in the 

 system of classification adopted in arranging his ethno- 

 graphical collection. And, since such criticisms as have 

 reached me have appeared to me to be founded mainly upon 

 misinterpretation of this system, I have thought that I could 

 meet them best by some sort of restatement of the principles 

 involved. 



It would be unreasonable to e.xpect that his work should 

 hold good in all details. The early illustrations of his 

 theories were to be regarded as tentative rather than dog- 

 matic, and in later life he recognised that many modifications 

 in matters of detail were rendered necessary by new facts 

 which had since come to light. The crystallisation of solid 

 facts out of a matrix which is necessarily partially volatile 

 is a process requiring time. These minor errors and the 

 fact of our not agreeing with all his details in no way 

 invalidate the general principles which he urged, and we 

 need but cast a cursory glance over recent ethnological 

 literature to see how widely accepted these general principles 

 are, and how they have formed the basis of, and furnished 

 the inspiration for, a vast mass of research by ethnologists 

 of all nations. 



It appears more than probable that Cambridge will be 

 much involved in the future advancement of anthropological 

 studies in Great Britain, if we may judge from the evident 

 signs of a growing interest in the science, not the least of 

 which is the recent establishment of a Board of Anthrop- 

 ological .Studies, an important development upon which we 

 may well congratulate the University. Within my own 

 experience there have been many proofs of the existence in 

 Cambridge of a keen syinpathy with the principles of 

 ethnological inquiry developed by Colonel Lane Fox, and 

 I feel that, as regards my choice of a theme for the main 

 topic of my address, no apology is needed. For my handling 

 of this theme, on the other hand, I fear it must be other- 

 wise. I would gladly have done fuller justice to the work 

 of Colonel Lane Fox, but, while I claim to be among the 

 keenest of his disciples, I must confess to being but an 

 indifferent apostle. 



I have been obliged, moreover, to pass over many interest- 

 ing features in the work of this ingenious and versatile 

 rnan of science. I have made no attempt to touch upon his 

 archaeological researches, since it has been necessary for me 

 to restrict myself to a portion only of his scientific work. 

 In this field, as in his ethnological work, his keen insight, 

 ingenuity, and versatility were manifested, while the close 

 attention which he bestowed upon matters of minute detail 

 has rendered classical his work as a field archsologist. 

 While the greater part of his ethnological work is associated 

 with the name Lane Fox, by which he was known until 

 1880. most of his researches into the remains of prehistoric 

 times were conducted after he had in that year assumed 

 the name of Pitt Rivers, on inheriting an important estate 

 which, by the happiest of coincidences, included within its 

 boundaries a considerable number of prehistoric sites of the 

 highest importance That he made full use of his oppor- 

 tunities is amply manifested in his published works. In 

 his archiEological work are repeated the characteristics of 

 his ethnological researches, and one may with confidence 

 say of his contributions to both fields of inquiry that, if he 

 advanced science greatly through his results he furthered 

 its progress even more through his methods. By his actual 

 achievements as a researcher he pushed forward the base 

 of operations; by his carefully-thought-out systems for 

 directing research he developed a sound strategical policy 

 upon which to base further organised attacks upon the 

 Unknown. 



NOTES. 



The Hugh Miller Memorial Institute at Cromarty was 

 opened on Friday last by Mr. Andrew Carnegie. The 

 institute, which had its inception at the Hugh Miller cen- 

 tenary celebrations two years ago, is a short distance from 

 the house where the geologist was born, and the accommo- 

 dation provided includes a public library. The site was 

 given by Colonel Ross, of Cromartv ; the cost of the build- 

 NO. 1818, VOL. 70] 



ing, amounting to 1200/., was defrayed by Mr. Carnegie, 

 and the public subscribed 400/. for an endowment fund. 



The director of the Paris Museum of Natural History has 

 been authorised to accept a gift made by M. Durand of a 

 collection of herbaria and a botanical library, a sum of 

 5000 francs to pay the expense of transporting and installing 

 these collections, and a further sum of 50,000 francs to be 

 invested with a view to provide a fund for the upkeep of 

 the herbaria and the purchase of plants and of works on 

 botany. 



The International Congress of Physiologists was opened 

 at the Solvay Institute in Brussels on Tuesday. 



The fourth congress of the International Aeronauts Com- 

 mittee, convened by the Imperial Academy of Sciences, was 

 opened at St. Petersburg on Monday. 



It is reported that Mr. Henry Phipps has given 4000/. to 

 the Johns Hopkins University, for the study of tuberculosis- 



It is announced that the late Mr. John Innes bequeathed 

 the sum of joo.ooo/. for the erection of a museum at Merton^ 

 Surrey. 



The committee appointed by the Texas Legislature to 

 investigate methods for the extermination of the boll weevil 

 and pay a reward of 10,000/. to the discoverer of any such 

 method, has decided, says Science, that no one has earned 

 this reward. 



The Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Joint Com- 

 mittee has appointed Dr. J. T. Jenkins, professor of biology 

 in Hartley University College, Southampton, to be super- 

 intendent of sea fisheries in place of the late Captain 

 Dawson. 



Mr. W. I. Last, senior keeper in the science division 

 of the Victoria and Albert Museum, has been appointed 

 director of that division of the museum in succession to 

 Major-General Festing, C.B., F.R.S., who has recently 

 retired at the age of sixty-four on the operation of the age 

 limit. Mr. Last was senior Whitworth scholar in 1877, 

 and a Watt medallist of the Institution of Civil Engineers 

 in 1SS7, and has been for the last few years senior keeper 

 in the science division of the museum, with the special 

 charge of the engineering collections. 



The second International Congress on the History of 

 Religions was opened at Basel on Tuesday. Prof, von 

 Orelli, president of the organising committee, read an 

 address, in the course of which he pointed out that the 

 objects of the conference were purely scientific, and that a 

 propaganda in favour of a particular sect and controversies 

 on the lines of religious discussions during the Middle ."Xges 

 would not be allowed. 



With the view to obtain further information on the 

 growth and migrations of salmon (including sea-trout, 

 salmon-trout, peal, sewin, &c.), the Board of Agriculture 

 and Fisheries had had a number of such fish " marked " by- 

 attaching a small oblong silver label (oxidised, or blackened, 

 and bearing distinctive letters and numbers) to the dorsal 

 or large back fin. Small rewards will be paid for the re- 

 covery of fish bearing such labels or other " marks," or 

 for information respecting them. The Board has prepared 

 lists of persons in the south and west of England, in Wales 

 and .Monmouthshire, and in the north of England, who will 

 receive marked fish. The experiments will be continued 

 during a series of years, and the cooperation of net-fisher- 

 men, anglers, fishmongers, and all interested in the improve- 

 ment of the salmon fisheries, is invited in order that the 

 fullest possible results may be secured. 



