MarcH II, 1915] 
NATURE 53 


fact, only just commencing scientific sugar-cane work. 
Recent work in India was discussed, especially the 
efforts to improve the local varieties and the raising 
of seedling sugar-canes in the newly founded cane- 
breeding station at Coimbatore. Mr. F. R. Parnell, 
of Coimbatore, read a very interesting paper on some 
Mendelian characters of the paddy plant. Dr. W. 
Burns and Mr. S. H. Prayag described experiments 
on inarching inflorescence of the mango when a union 
was made and the fruit of one tree was thus borne 
on a tree of another variety. Prof. P. F. Fyson dis- 
cussed the phanerogamic flora of the patana regions 
of the Nilgiris and Pulney Hills, pointing out the 
affinities with Ceylon, the Vehasia, and Himalayan 
regions. 
Other papers were by Mr. M. O. Parthasarathy 
Iyengar, on the defoliation of some Madras trees; by 
Dr. C. A. Barber and Mr. D. Vekataraman, on the 
depressed habit in the sugar-cane; and Mr. C. Tadul- 
ingam on the Madras flora. 
The meeting of the Geological Section was presided 
over by Dr. W. F. Smeeth, State Geologist of Mysore, 
who read a paper on the geological history of southern 
India, and gave an account of the character and dis- 
tribution of the various components of the great 
archean complex as developed in Mysore. Babu 
H. C. Das Gupta described. an occurrence of crystal- 
line limestone from the Daltonganj coalfield. Mr. E. 
Masillamany dealt with certain basic dykes in Travan- 
core, including gabbro, dolerites, and norites, the 
petrology and field relationships of which were dis- 
cussed. 
The Section of Ethnography met under the chair- 
manship of Mr. H. V. Nanjundayya, whose address 
was on some aspects of ethnographic work. He said 
that the lower castes are aspiring to a higher status; 
Gotras are claimed, and customs which enable the 
observer to recognise the lower caste are suppressed. 
According to legend the Castes claim descent from 
God, but actually Castes are considered to be tribal 
distinctions. By the adoption of Samskaras of higher 
castes and practising them for several generations 
higher status is claimed, and renders investigation a 
matter of considerable difficulty. Dr. Annandale, in a 
paper entitled ‘‘Anthropometric Notes of Calcutta 
Eurasians,’’ dwelt on the importance of regarding 
physical anthropology from a zoological point of view. 
He expressed the opinion that the primary classifica- 
tion of the races of man should be conducted on exactly 
the same lines that would be adopted in investigating 
those of any other species. Unfortunately the char- 
acteristic features of the different human races were 
still very imperfectly known, and existing systems of 
anthropometry were unsatisfactory in many respects. 
He had no new system to expound, but laid stress on 
the value of a large series of photographs taken on a 
definite system and illustrating as far as possible the 
actual external structure. He put forward a proposal 
for a photographic survey of the people of Calcutta, 
and especially of those of mixed race. Dr. Ketkar, of 
Bombay, read a paper on Indian sociology as a theo- 
retical and applied science. Dr. S. C. Roy read a 
paper on totem worship amongst the Oraons. The 
author showed that Kachchapa (tortoise) must have 
given rise to the Gotra, now known as Kasyapa. The 
existence of a wooden figure of the tortoise and pig 
seemed to bear out the theory suggested by him. 
Other papers in this section were contributed by Mr. 
Gopinatha Rau, on viragals and mastigals—the memo- 
rial stones set up in honour of heroes who fell in 
battle and women who died for their husbands; Mr. 
L. K. Ananta Krisna Iyer read papers on prehistoric 
monuments in Cochin, and on the Vettuvans of North 
Malabar. 
NO. 2367, VOL. 95| 

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 
INTELLIGENCE. 
CamBripGE.—The subject proposed for the Adams 
Prize Essay for the period 1915-16 is ‘‘ The Course of 
Evolution of the Configurations possible for a Rotat- 
ing and Gravitating Fluid Mass, including the Dis- 
cussion of the Stabilities of the Various Forms.’ The 
investigation of the forms that can be assumed by a 
mass of gravitating fluid endowed with motion of 
rotation was initiated by Newton with reference to 
the figure of the earth, developed by Maclaurin, 
Clairaut, and Laplace, and extended by Jacobi. It 
was consolidated in Lord Kelvin’s hands, as an 
example of the doctrine of the dissipation of energy, 
into a single problem illustrating the course of evolu- 
tion of stellar and planetary systems. The sequence 
of the forms that can be assumed by a rotating fluid 
mass, first announced partially by Lord Kelvin, has 
been extended and systematised by the work of 
Poincaré, and expanded in new directions by Sir G. H. 
Darwin and other investigators. Further elucidation 
of this succession of forms, especially in the direction 
in which a tendency appears for the mass to divide 
into separate parts, is desirable, in view of its possible 
bearing on the modes of evolution of double and 
variable stars and the interpretation of other remark- 
able celestial objects. The case in which the mass is 
in whole or in part in the gaseous state may also 
present opportunities for investigations possessing 
astronomical interest. Some contribution to the 
further theoretical development of this subject is asked 
for. The prize is open to the competition of all 
persons who have at any time been admitted to a 
degree in the University. The value of the prize is 
about 2201. The essays must be sent to the Vice- 
Chancellor on or before the last day of December, 
1916. 
Oxrorp.—On March 9 Congregation approved the 
appointment of Dr. H. M. Vernon, fellow of Mag- 
dalen College, as University lecturer in chemical 
physiology for four years, in succession to Dr. Rams- 
den, fellow of Pembroke College, who has been elected 
to the post of Johnson professor of biochemistry at 
Liverpool _ University. Congregation has _ also 
approved the re-appointment of Dr. J. W. Jenkinson, 
Exeter College, as University lecturer in comparative 
and experimental embryology for five years. 
The Hebdomadal Council has lately put out an im- 
portant statement dealing with the financial position 
of the University as affected by the war. It is esti- 
mated that, after allowance has been made for a con- 
siderable saving in the conduct of examinations, the 
statutable and necessary expenditure for the current 
year will exceed the ordinary receipts by at least 
15,0001, This deficit may be reduced by various ex- 
pedients, such as savings in respect of grants, and the 
suspension of repayment of loans (should the necessary 
powers be granted by the Bill now before Parliament), 
to a sum of about 6o00l. The remainder may ulti- 
mately have to be made good by borrowing; but before 
the necessity for this step arises, the situation will, it 
is hoped, be to some extent relieved by the voluntary 
contributions of many of the officers and other mem- 
bers of the University. 
Ir is stated in Science that Dr. William J. Mayo 
and Dr. Charles H. Mayo, of Rochester, Minn., the 
distinguished surgeons, have decided to establish a 
200,000l. foundation for medical research and to place 
the foundation, under certain restrictions, in the hands 
of the University of Minnesota. 
