166 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



researches upon invertebrate physiology. He was sure he would 

 be but carrying with him the assent of all physiologists when he 

 said that it is to the invertebrate forms of life that we must now 

 look for the elucidation of many of the most fundamental pro- 

 blems connected with life-processes. It is in the Invertebrata 

 that we meet with life in its least compounded state, and therefore 

 in the state best suited to observation and experiment directed 

 towards the solution of these fundamental problems. The sea is 

 the great magazine of invertebrate life, and if the rich stores of 

 material therein presented have been hitherto almost entirely 

 neglected by physiologists, the explanation may be found in the 

 fact that physiological research can only be conducted in well- 

 equipped laboratories, which have been of but comparatively 

 recent institution upon the sea-coasts of Europe and America. 



Professor Ray Lankester then moved a vote of thanks to the 

 President of the Royal Society for taking the chair, and said it 

 had been estimated that from ^6,000 to ig 10,000 would be 

 required to start the project. He invited immediate subscrip- 

 tions, payable ad interim to the Treasurer, Mr. Frank Crisp, 6, 

 Old Jewry, E.G. Sir Joseph Fayrer seconded the motion, and 

 the President having briefly replied, the meeting adjourned to 

 May 30th. 



THE ASIATIC ELEPHANT IN FREEDOM AND CAPTIVITY. 



An interesting paper on this subject was lately read by Mr. 

 G. P. Sanderson before the Society of Arts, Sir Joseph Fayrer, 

 M.D., K.C.I.S., F.R.S., in the chair. 



As superintendent of Government elephant catching opera- 

 tions in Bengal for the last fifteen years,] Mr. Sanderson has 

 acquired an experience which enables liim to speak authoritatively 

 on many moot points in the natural history of the elephant, and 

 his remarks were accordingly listened to with great attention. 



He commenced by referring to the popular estimate of the 

 elephant's intelligence, which he believed to be exaggerated ; for, 

 instead of being an exceptionally wise animal, its sagacity is of a 

 very mediocre description. Its reasoning faculties he considered 

 to be far below those of the dog, and in matters beyond the range 

 of its daily experience it evinces no special discernment. 



