- All-extinct Paridigitata follow the first or inadaptive mode of 
eduction, whilst all living genera follow the second. Did the 
mer not become extinct because of their incapacity to adapt 
selves to altered circumstances, and the latter survive from 
ig able to adapt themselves more fully to those circumstances? 
om an examination of fossil remains, it is found that the 
digitates, of the genus Hyopotamus, were Selenodonta of 
1¢ inadaptive line of descent, inheritance in them being stronger 
than modification. " Among the Bunodonta following the 77- 
adaptive method, the old representatives are but little known, 
Listriodon and Elotherium being the most certain, and the latter 
apparently didactylate. 
ollowing the adaptive method, among the Selenodonta are 
Cherotherium, Paleocherus, and the Swme, and the culminating 
or most reduced stage is not yet reached among the Suna, but 
it is certainly the direclion in which they tend. Among the 
Bunodonta there is great difficulty in tracing the line of descent 
whence originate the Ruminantia. From the existence of ye- 
moschus we may predict that they were originally tetradactylate, 
nd there are many other intermediate condi ions, as Tragu/us 
and Gelocus. 
“Magnetic Survey of Belgium in 1871.” By Rev, S. J. Perry. 
The magnetic observations which furnished the results con- 
3 ed in this paper were made ducing the Autumn months of 
71. 
_ The instruments used and the methods adopted were almost 
identical with those employed in previous magnetic surveys 
pf France. 
_ The dip was observed by Mr. W. Carlisle, magnetic assistant 
f Stonyhurst Observatory, and the rest of the observations were 
taken by the Rev. S. J. Perry. 
This new series of determinations of the terrestrial magnetic 
elements was rendered the more necessary, as preceding observers 
had chosen very few stations in Belgium, and as the curvature 
of the isodynamics and isoclinals in Dr. Lamont’s maps of 
Belgium, Holland, and North-west Germany, indicated a very 
cons derable disturbing cause in the first-named country. 
_ The values obtained in 1871 are a strong confirmation of the 
spicions of irregularity, to which former observations had 
given rise. For although the lines of equal dip, declination, and 
horizontal force bear a sufficiently close resemblance to those of 
neighbouring countries, there is evidence of much disturbance ; 
‘and when the valves of the dip and horizontal force are combined, 
the isodynamics show clearly that the coal-measures, which 
‘stretch completely across the south-east portion of Belgium, 
exercise a strong disturbing influence. This local magnetism 
ight be incapable of producing more than a decided curvature 
of the isodynamics of an extended tract of country; but when 
all the stations of observation are situated within narrow limits, 
the perturbation completely masks the normal direction of the 
lines. 
The following is a complete list of the magnetic elements 
observed at the different stations, and reduced to the common 
epoch of January 1, 1872. 
Station. 
Declination. Dip. Horizontal force, Intensity. 
°o ° 
Aix-la-Chapelle.. 16°464 66°637 4°c064 10"1025 
17°349 67°210 39518 10°2016 
17489 — 66°999 3°9296 10°0559 
16°398 65907 4°1175 10°0857 
177938 67155 3°8950 10'0321 
17°959 66°975 3°9613 To"1271 
17°756 66678 4/0028 IO°1103 
17°823 67'221 39197 10°1232 
16'233 66464 4°0145 10°0522 
_ 66948 —_— —_ 
16°824 66 898 3°9565 10°0828 
— 66°714 = “= 
17216 66°573 4°0065 10°0767 
17°541 667538 3°9941 100311 
18°097 67 211 39152 10°1077 
16627 66°653 4°0239 1071531 
Pewee... | 17° 6O% 66°632 3°9975 10°0776 
Tronchiennes.... 17°867 67°361 3°9032 10°1397 
‘Turnhout. Mes 1'7 O25 66-113 3°9542 10°1665 
BeEEviers. . cnauieeck _ 66°718 ~ _ -- 
Secular variation —o'1255 -0'0573 +0°00542 —O'OII55 
' 
_ Zoological Society of London, February 4.—Professor 
Huxley, F.R.S., V.P., in the chair.—A letter was read from 
295 
Mr. Henry W. Piers, late acting curator of the South African 
Museum, Capetown, containing remarks on a specimen of the 
Chimera australis.—Mr. E. Blyth exhibited and made remarks 
on some Tiger Skins from India, Burmah and Siberia. —A com- 
munication was read from Mr. R. Meldola, containing remarks on 
a certain class of cases of variable protective colouring in insects. 
—A communication was read from Mr. G, Gulliver, F.R.S., 
containing a series of measurements of the Red Blood Corpus- 
cles of various Batrachians.—A paper was read by Dr. A. 
Giinther, F.R.S., containing an account of certain species of 
Reptiles and Batrachians, obtained by Dr. A. B. Meyer in Ce- 
lebes and the Philippine Islands.—A communication was read 
from Mr, A. G. Butler, containing a monographic revision of the 
genera Zephronia and Sphevotherium of the sub-order Myrio- 
poda, together with descriptions of some new species of these 
genera.—A communication was read from Mr, G, French 
Angus, containing descriptions of eight species of Land and 
Marine Shells from various localities:—Messrs, P. L. Sclater 
and Osbert Salvin read the sixth of a series of papers on Peru- 
vian Birds, collected by Mr. H. Whitely, in the Andes of 
Peru. The present communication contained an account of 
eighty species, collected principally at Cosnipetz, in the province 
of Cuzco.—A communication was read from Mr. H. Whitely, 
containing notes on the Humming Birds collected and observed | 
by him in the Andes of Peru.—A communication was read from 
Dr. J. E. Gray, F.R.S., on the genus Ocadia, which he con- 
sidered should be referred to the family Bataguride. 
Chemical Society, February 6,—Dr. Williamson, F.R.S., 
vice-president, in the chair.—A communication was made by 
Dr. H. &, Armstrong ‘‘ On the action of Sodium on Aniline,”— 
A paper on ‘‘ Anthrapurpurine,” by Mr, W. H. Perkin, was 
then read by the author. Anthrapurpurine is a colouring matter 
which accompanies alizarine in the crude “artificial alizarine,” 
now so largely manufactured and employed in dyeing instead of 
madder. Like alizarine it is capable of imparting brilliant and 
fast colours to cloth mordanted with alumina or iron.—A paper 
was also read by Dr. C. R A. Wright on ‘Isomerism in the 
terpene family of hydrocarbons.” In it he gives an account 
of his experiments with oil of nutmegs and oil of orange-peel. 
Anthropological Institute, Feb. 4.—Col. A. Lane Fox, 
vice-president, in the chair.—Mr. W. L. Distant read a paper on 
the inhabitants of Car Nicobar.” The people of Car Nicobar 
are taller than the average Malay, and darker in the colour of 
the skin, Their faith in a good spirit is slight, and in an evil 
spirit, which is invested with a personality, is strong. Their 
honesty is so well known that traders at once deliver their stores 
on the promise of these islanders to pay the necessary number of 
cocoanuts in return ; and the promise is always fulfilled. They 
take but one wife, and adultery is severely punished.—A paper 
by Mr. J. E. Calder was read on the extirpation of the native 
tribes of Tasmania.” The author who had had the advantage 
of above forty years’ experience of the Tasmanians, entered very 
fully into their physical and mental characteristics, habits, cus- 
toms, and modes of warfare, and the causes which led to the 
rapid extinction of all the tribes. They were intelligent, capable 
of considerable culture, and showed every disposition to become 
civilised ; but the abundant supply of food induced indolence, 
which, together with the sudden and violent change of habit 
from savage to civilised life was one of the chief causes of ex- 
tinction. The chairman announced tlie appointment of a Com- 
mittee of Psychological Research. . 
Entomological Society, January 27, Annual Meeting.— 
Professor Westwood, president, in the chair. Statement of 
treasurer's account for 1872 read, and report of council.—Pro- 
fessor Westwood was re-elected as president for 1873, Messrs. 
S. S. Saunders, G. H. Verrall, C.O. Waterhouse and J.J. Weir, 
new members of council ; Mr. McLachlan as treasurer ; Messrs. 
F. Grut and G. H. Verrall, secretaries, and|Mr, E. W. Janson as 
librarian.— ‘he president delivered an address on the progress 
of entomology during the past year. 
Geologists’ Association, Feb. 7.—The Rev. T. Wiltshire, 
M.A., the retiring president, in the chur. —Henry Wood- 
ward, F.G.S., was elected president for 1873; and Robert 
Etheridge, F.R.S., Prof. Morris, F.G.S., James Thorne, F.S.A., 
and the Rev. T. Wiltshire, M.A., vice-presidents. Messrs. W. 
Hislop, J. L. Lobley, and A. Bott were re-elected treasurer, 
honorary secretary, and honorary librarian respectively. The 
report for the year 1872 shows the association to be in a 
flourishing state, and was unanimously adopted. 
