Fuly 6, 1871 

NATURE 
189 

The former (xiphisternum) was bifid through its whole 
length. 
The scientific value of this additional sternal rib—in a 
Darwinian sense—is simply great. It evinces in a clear 
and forcible manner a latent disposition in the human 
subject, either to revert to an original and lower condition, 
or to retain traces of that previous condition. We have 
already seen that some of the lowest forms of Primates 
have ten true ribs, others have nine, some eight, and 
others again seven, as in the human subject. But it is 
interesting, indeed, to find that the conflict between the 
major number ten and the minor seven takes place in the 
lower Primates. As we pass up to the higher Primates, 
there seems to be a decided tendency towards fixity at the 
number of seven true ribs. But yet a few solitary 
examples—besides the human subject—illustrate the lower 
type, as in the chimpanzee already mentioned. The 
number of ribs in the lower forms of monkeys seems to 
be a repetition of that in the Carnivora, and subject to the 
same fluctuations between seven and ten true ribs, 
Although the few specimens which I have examined of 
the higher Primates show a decided tendency towards fixity 
at the number of seven, yet I believe that in a very large 
number of skeletons of each of the higher species, various | 
transitional grades would be met with closely according 
with those in the human subject. It is somewhat remark- 
able that each of the variations of the eighth rib in the 
human subject which I have described should all be on 
the right side. 
From the preceding facts it may be decidedly inferred | 
that the tenth, ninth, and eighth true ribs are gradually 
lost in the transition from the lower to the higher Primates, 
except in a few isolated examples. The recurrence of the 
eighth true rib in the human subject cannot be looked | 
upon as an accident, any more than the presence of a 
distinct peroneus quartus, and a moderately large extensor 
primi internodii hallucis coming from the tibialis anticus, 
exactly as in the chimpanzee, in the same individual whose 
sternum, with an almost complete eighth rib, has been 
described. J. BESWICK-PERRIN 


NOTES 
THE men of the North do not seem disposed to let grass 
grow under their feet in respect to their proposed College of 
Physical Science, at INewcastle-upon-Tyne. Of the 35,000/. 
required, in addition to to the Durham University endowment, 
to carry out their plans, upwards of 23,600/. has been already 
subscribed. Three of the professorial chairs have now been 
filled, viz. :—Experimental Physics: A. S. Herschel, M.A. 
Chemistry: A. Freire-Marreco, M.A. Geology: David Page, 
LL.D., F.R.S.E. No decision has yet been made public in 
respect to the professorship of Mathematics. 
together with the chair of Experimental Physics, is in the hands of 
the Dean and Chapter of Durham. 
general satisfaction, and are sufficient assurance of the desire of the 
Committee to obtain the services of the men within reach, without 
reference to local influence or predilections. Indeed it seems to us 
just possible that the claims of one eminent local geologist may | 
have suffered somewhat through the fear of a charge of partiality. 
Few family names stand higher in the scientific world than that 
of Herschel, and its present representative is well known asa 
teacher of experimental philosophy. M. Freire-Marreco has long 
served the University of Durham as its reader in chemistry and 
the Newcastle College of Medicine as its lecturer. Apart from 
his acquirements as a chemist and his ability as a teacher, there 
is perhaps no one who is so thoroughly versed in the chemical 
technology of the industries of the North of England. Dr. 
Page’s elementary works on geology are widely appreciated, and 
if one may judge of his capacity as a lecturer by his power of 
interesting a general audience, he is eminently fitted to instruct 
This appointment, | 
These selections will give | 
the rising generation of mining engineers. We learn that the 
opening of the College is fixed for October 7, and shall watch 
with pleasure the progress of the undertaking, bidding it heartily 
“*God speed.” 
AT a meeting of the Council of University College, London, 
held on Saturday last, a scheme for the establishment of a 
Sharpey Physiological Scholarship in the College was adopted. 
It is expected that the annual value of the Scholarship will be 
about 100/. 
Str Dominic CorriGAn, Bart., M.D., M.P., has been ap- 
pointed Vice-Chancellor of the Queen’s University in Ireland, 
in the room of the late Sir Maziere Brady, Bart. 
ONLY one gentleman has this year obtained the degree of 
D.Sc. of the University of London, Mr. W. A. Tilden, in 
Chemistry. 
M. H. Sartnre-CLatr-DEVILLE, one of the most learned and 
popular members of the Institute, was a candidate at the recent 
French election on the moderate Republican ticket. M. Broca, 
the celebrated anthropologist, who will soon be a member of 
the Institute, was also a candidate on the same ticket, as was 
also M. Wolowsky, a member of the Académie des Sciences 
Morales et Politiques. We learn that M. Wolowski has 
been returned at the head of the poll, and that MM. 
Scheurer-Restner and Laboulaye have also been elected for 
Paris. The Institute is fast becoming, not actually a 
political body, but a body more closely connected with 
politics than it was formerly. For some time past a resumé 
of the sittings of the Academy has been inserted regularly in the 
Fournal Officiel, which is becoming every day more scientific in 
itscharacter. The National Society of Men of Letters recently 
held its ordinary meeting, when it was proposed to erase from 
ts list of members MM. Victor Hugo, Pyat, and Rochefort, 
who are being prosecuted for their deeds during the Commune. 
But the meeting rejected the motion. 
THE Revie des Cours Scientifigues commences with July 1 a 
new series, with the new title Za Revue Scientifique, under the 
old editorship of MM. Yung and Alglave. The first number of 
the new series contains a sketch of the labours of the late M. 
Claparede, translations of Profs, Huxley and Tyndall’s addresses 
at the Liverpool meeting of the British Association, and some 
fresh notes by Prof. Van Beneden on Commensalism in the 
Animal Kingdom. 
Tue weekly journal, Z’Zns¢itut, has just entered on the fortieth 
year of its existence. 
Herr RUMKER has communicated to the <Astronomiische 
Nachrichten the following ephemeris of a new comet discovered 
by Temple on the 14th ult, : 
o" BERLIN MEAN TIME, 
R. A. N. Decl 
h m ° 
July 6 9 37°0 58 35 
8 , 330 4t 
ny intel 29°0 46 
ae le 250 2 
aA: 6 21'I 58 56 
op HS 17-2 0 iso) in 
» 18 ee SRUSis 59° 5 
At the Anniversary Meeting of the Meteorological Society, 
held June 21, C. W. Walker, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., the presi- 
| dent, in the chair, the following officers were elected :—President : 
Dr. John W. Tripe. Vice-Presidents: N. Beardmore, C. 
O. F. Cator, G. J. Symons, C. V. Walker, F.R.S. Treasurer : 
H. Perigal. Trustees: Sir Antonio Brady, S. W. Silver. 
Secretaries: Chas. Brooke, F.R.S., Jas. Glaisher, F.R.S. 

| Foreign Secretary: Lieut.-Col. Alexander Strange, F.R.S. 
