186 NATURE 
This paper, which supplies some suggestive and not uninteresting 
matter, is based upon observations on the abnormal development 
in a full-grown axolotl of a fifth digit at the base of the fourth, 
and the gradual reparation, by multiplication of the parts, of 
varicus injuries to the other phalanges. Dr. Fauvelle considers 
at length the conditions on which the formation of supplementary 
parts in the adult may possibly depend, and whether we may not 
refer such abnormal manifestations of activity to a reversion in 
the cells of the connective-tissues to an embryonic condition, in 
which segmentation is possible. M. Avia, in confirming the 
views of Dr. Fauvelle as to the influence of heredity in the 
human species on the appearance of supernumerary organs, 
instanced the family of the Fodli, which for several centuries 
had exercised patriarchal supremacy over a tribe’ of the Arab 
Hyamites. In this family, whose members are not allowed to 
marry beyond the limits of their own kindred, polydactylism 
has become an established hereditary character, and is con- 
sidered as an indispensable evidence of legitimacy, and right of 
succession. M. Aviahas personally examined various Fodli, all 
of whom had twenty-four phalanges on their hands and feet.— | 
On heredity, by Dr. Fauvelle. In this, as in the preceding 
paper, the author draws attention to the injury done to scientific 
inquiry by the constantly increasing recklessness with which 
physiological and anatomical conditions, whose causes we are 
ignorant of, are indiscriminately referred to so-called ‘‘ atavism.”’ 
It must be confessed, however, that the author himself in his 
exposition of the significance of the phenomena of heredity, 
as given in this paper, and in his more recent communication to 
the Society of his views regarding the real or assumed existence 
of atavism, exhibits the same want of accuracy and close 
definition which he condemns in others, and the vagueness of 
the opinions which he has enunciated with such dogmatic 
temerity excited a lively controversy, in which MM. Laborde and 
Sanson, and Mme. Cl. Royer, with other members, took part. 
—On primitive forms of numerations, by M. Letourneau. In 
this paper, and in the discussion which followed its reading, 
attention was drawn to the development, among some peoples, 
of a decimal system of numeration from the natural counting of 
the fingers, while according to Bachofen and others, the 
decimal method was preceded, in those earlier periods of civili- 
sation in which the matriarchal principle was still in force, by 
the octoma/ system. Curious evidence of the prevalence of this 
practice of counting by 8 is afforded in Sanskrit, and in Greek | 
and Latin, as well as in several modern European forms of 
speech, by the close affinity, if not identity, of the words signi- 
fying nine and new, as, ¢.g., the French ‘‘neuf,” thus showing 
that the numeral following eight was of more recent acceptation 
than the final term of the octomal form of numeration. 
Bulletin de V Académie des Sciences de St. Pétersbourg, vol. xxi. 
No. 1.—List of the members of the Academy on March 1, 1886. 
—Diagnoses of new plants from Asia, by C. J. Maximowicz, 
part 6 (Latin), containing a good many new species.—Report 
on new linguistic materials contained in the “Codex Comanicus,” 
by Prof. Radloff (German). 
SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 
LONDON 
Royal Society, June 1o.—‘‘A Minute Analysis (experi- 
mental) of the various Movements produced by stimulating in 
the Monkey different Regions of the Cortical Centre for the 
Upper Limb, as defined by Prof. Ferrier.” By Charles E. 
Beevor, M.D., M.R.C.P., and Prof. Victor Horsley, F.R.S., 
Bis, BRiC.S. 
The following investigation was undertaken as prefatory to a 
research into motor localisation of the spinal cord. 
Anatomy.—(1) Attention is drawn to some minute details of 
the topographical anatomy of the upper limb centres as defined 
by Prof. Ferrier. 
(2) Outlines of the shape and arrangement of the fissure of 
Rolando, the praecentral and intra-parietal sulci. 
(3) Proof adduced in support of the authors’ opinion that the 
small horizontal sulcus named X by Prof. Schafer really corre- 
sponds to the superior frontal sulcus of man. 
Previous Researches.—Fervier’s results are then given in full. 
Method of Experimentation is explained in detail, as also the 
mode of subdivision of the part of the cortex investigated into 
centres of about 2 mm. square. 
From the results of excitation are then deduced the two 
following axioms :— 
| while those for the smaller and more differentiated movements 
| Mooney was announced.—Mr. C. H. Read read a paper on the 
| sent from the Dominion of Canada, where there is such a vast 
[Fune 24, 1886 
Axiom J.—Viewing as a whole the motor area of the central 
cortex for the upper limb,-as defined by Prof. Ferrier, we find 
that the regions for the action of the larger jeints are situated 
at the upper part of the area, z.e. closer to the middle line, 
lie peripherally at the lower part of the area. 
Axiom [7,—As a broad result, extension of the joints is the 
most characteristic movement of the upper part of Ferrier’s 
arm centre ; while flexion is equally characteristic of the move- | 
ments obtained by stimulating the lower part. Finally, be- 
tween these two regions there is a small portion where flexion 
and extension alternately predominate, a condition to which we 
have given the name of confusion. (Here both flexors and 
extensors are contracting at the same time, and consequently the 
joint is usually fixed in a neutral position, each group of 
muscles alternately drawing it in opposite directions.) 
Priority of Movements is found to take place, and follows the 
“march”? first indicated by Dr. Hughlings Jackson as existing 
in epileptic seizures. 
This march is in accordance with Axiom I,, since the 
shoulder commences the series of movements in the uppermost 
part of the area, the thumb at the lowest part, and the wrist in 
the intermediate part. 
Summary.—(1) That X is the superior frontal sulcus of man. 
(2) That the movements of the joints are progressively repre- 
sented in the cortex from above down. 
(3) Localisation of sequence of movements. 
(4) Localisation of quality of movements. 
(5) That there is no absolute line of demarcation between the 
different centres. 
Mathematical Society, June 10.—J. W.L. Glaisher, F.R.S., 
President, in the chair.—At a special meeting the following 
resolution was unanimously carried :—‘‘ That the Council be 
empowered to take the necessary steps to obtain a charter of 
incorporation for the Society.” —At the ordinary meeting Messrs. 
A. R. Forsyth, F.R.S., R. Lachlan, and the Rev. J. J. Milne 
were admitted into the Society. —The following communications 
were made :—Reciprocation in statics, by Prof. Genese.—On 
the theory of screws in elliptic space (third note), by A. 
Buchheim.—Some applications of Weierstrass’s elliptic functions, 
by Prof. Greenhill.—Formula for the interchange of the inde- 
pendent and dependent variables with some applications to 
reciprocants, by C. Leudesdorf (second paper on reciprocants), — 
by L. J. Rogers.—On the motion of a liquid ellipsoid under the 
influence of its own attraction, by A. B. Basset.—Electrical 
oscillations on cylindrical conductors, by Prof. J. J. Thomson, 
EARss: 
Chemical Society, May 20.—Dr. Hugo Miiller, F.R.S., 
President, in the chair.—The following papers were read :— 
Sources of error in the calorimetric study of salts, by Prof. W. 
A. Tilden, F.R.S.—On the action of aldehydes and ammonia 
on benzil, by Francis R. Japp, F.R.S., and W. Palmer Wynne, 
B.Sc.—On imabenzil, by the same.—On ammonia-derivatives of 
benzoin, by Francis R. Japp, F.R.S., and W. H. Wilson, 
'h.D.—On compounds from benzil and benzoin and alcohols, 
by Francis R. Japp, F.R.S., and Julius Raschen.—On the 
action of phosphoric sulphide on benzophenone, by the same. — 
The separation and estimation of zirconium by means of hydro- 
gen peroxide, by G. H. Bailey, D.Sc., Ph.D.—An apparatus 
for the determination of the temperature of decomposition of 
salts, by the same.—The retention of Jead salts by filter-paper, 
by L. Trant O’Shea. ‘ 
June 3.—Dr. Hugo Miiller, F.R.S., President, in the chair. — 
The following papers were read :—Notes on Sir W. Fairbairn’s 
experiments on re-melting cast iron, by Thomas Turner, Assoc. 
R.S.M.—Some ammonium compounds and other derivatives of 
a-t’ hydroxyquinoline, by C. A. Kohn, B.Sc., Ph.D.—8-sul- 
phophthalic acid, by Prof C. Graebe and A. Rée, Ph.D.— 
Compounds obtained by the aid of 8-sulphophthalic acid, by the 
same. —Derivatives of taurine (part 2), by J. William James. 
Anthropological Institute, June 8.—Mr. Francis Galton, 
F.R.S., President, in the chair.—The election of Mr. Joseph J. 
ethnological exhibits in the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, in 
which he reviewed briefly the collections to be seen in the 
various courts, ane described in detail some of the objects. The 
author dwelt especially upon the meagreness of the collection 
