490 



NATURE 



{April 23, 1874 



went on to speak of the different animals which thrive 

 best in captivity, taking each order of each of the great 

 classes of the vcrtebrata separately, and pointing out 

 that whilst some, as the Carnivora, thrive well in con- 

 finement, others, as the Insectivora, can hardly be kept 

 in a menagerie at all. 



On the following Friday Mr. Sclater commenced the 

 first of four lectures On the Geographical Distribution of 

 Mammalia. A fauna constituting the animals inhabiting 

 a country, and a flora its plants, the lecturer went on to 

 illustrate the fundamental law that the animals and plants 

 found in far distant countries are usually different, and 

 that those of near countries closely resemble one another. 

 We find the animals in France much like those in 

 England, those in Ceylon much less so, and those 

 in Australia as different as possible. It might at 

 first sight be thought that difference of climate caused the 

 differences that are observed in geographical distribution, 

 but that such is not the case is proved without difficulty 

 by taking different countries in the same latitude and 

 with a similar climate and comparing them. For in- 

 stance, on and near the equator we have Borneo, part of 

 Africa, and the country bordering the Amazons; nothing 

 can be more different than their faunas, and yet they 

 are similarly circumstanced, so far as temperature and 

 climate are concerned. So the polar seas of the northern 

 and southern hemispheres are very different as regards 

 their animals, although nearly identical in climate. The 

 auks and seals of the one are replaced by the sea lions 

 and penguins of the other. The faunas of the Himalayas 

 and of the Andes, mountains both in hot countries, are 

 very different also. 



The meaning of the terms " specific area " and " ge- 

 neric area " was then explained. A species, the 

 aggregate of similar individuals, has an habitat or area 

 of distribution which is definitely circumscribed. In some 

 animals this area is large, as in the case of the lion ; in 

 others, as in the case of the aye-aye of Madagascar, it is 

 extremely limited. Among birds this limitation, strange 

 as it may appear, is sometimes extreme ; on each of the 

 two nearly adjoining mountains of Pichincha and 

 Chimborazo there are species of humming-birds found, 

 which occur nowhere else. The area which includes all 

 the areas of the species of a genus forms a generic 

 area. These areas are continuous, or were so at one 

 time ; physical changes having sometimes intervened 

 to produce an apparent interval. 



From these observations it is evident that the locality 

 in which an animal is found is as important a fact in esti- 

 mating its individuality as are its internal structure and 

 general configuration. This point is frequently but too 

 little taken into account. 



The lecturer, having said thus much on the general 

 subject, proceeded to show how the class of Mammals 

 was to be distinguished from the other classes of 

 Vertebrates, and stated that for geographical purposes 

 the mammalia, or those animals which suckle their 

 young, might be most conveniently divided into terres- 

 trial and aquatic. Our knowledge respecting the former 

 of these sections is, as might be imagined, much greater 

 than of the latter ; nevertheless, within the last few years 

 the aquatic mammalia have received considerable atten- 

 tion, and have become much better known. 



{To be (Ofitinued.) 



NOTES 

 The magnificent bequest of 10,000/. has been made by the 

 late Mr. E. R. Langworthy to the Owens College, Manchester, 

 for the purpose of developing the chair of Experimental 

 Physics. A splendid opportunity is thus afforded to the Pro- 

 fessor of Physics in Owens College not only to advance original 

 research in connection with that subject, but also of teaching tlie 



students of his class in the only effectual way by which physics can 

 be taught. Pliysics, in short, can now be placed on the same footing 

 in that University as chemistry. The terms in which the bequest is 

 made are so forcible and clear that they deserve to be quoted here : 

 — "I bequeath to the trustees of the Owens College ten thousand 

 pounds, and I desire that the same may be applied by them as 

 they may think best in order to establish in connection with that 

 institution a professorship of Experimental Physics. It being 

 my wish that students may be instructed in the method of experi- 

 ment and research, and that Science may be advanced by 

 original investigaticn. And I also desire that the professor from 

 time to time appointed may be selected on account of his know- 

 ledge having been especially obtained by original investigation, 

 and that his appointment shall be contingent upon the continu- 

 ance of such investigation. And I declare that the above desire 

 shall not be construed as a trust and bind the trustees to esta- 

 blish a professorship ; but in case it shall be deemed advisable 

 such money may be applied in such other way as tlie trustees for 

 the time being may think fit, provided such money is only used 

 for the purpose of promoting Science." The late Mr. Lang- 

 worthy deserves credit not only for his liberality, but for the 

 sound and advanced views he held as to how Science should be 

 taught, and as to the necessity of encouraging original research 

 in connection with the chairs of Science in our Universities. Mr. 

 Langworthy has also bequeathed 10,000/. each to the Salford 

 Library and Museum, and to the Manchester Grammar School, 

 in the latter case for the purpose of founding twenty scholarships. 



The Chair of Chemistry in the University of Glasgow is 

 vacant. We hope the Home Secretary in filling up the vacancy 

 will, in the spirit wliich urged the late Mr. Langworthy to make 

 the magnificent bequest above referred to, show by the appoint- 

 ment he makes the appreciation in which he holds original 

 research. It is now high time that it should be distinctly under- 

 stood that no man deserves to be appointed to a Chair of Science 

 in any of our Universities unless he has shown that he has that 

 knowledge of his subject wliich can only come from original 

 investigation. 



The Professorial Chair of Physiology in University College, 

 London, has become vacant by the resignatiim of Dr. Sharpey, 

 who has held it since the year 1836. 



SiGNOR L. M. D'Albertis, the distinguished Italian travel- 

 ler, who has lately penetrated into the mountains of New Gui- 

 nea, and discovered the remarkable Bird of Paradise which bears 

 his name {Drcpaiwrnis albcrtisi), has just returned to this country 

 from Sydney, vi& San Francisco, bringing with him his large 

 collection in every department of natural history which he formed 

 during his expedition. 



We would call attention to the Swiney Course of Lectures on 

 Geology which are at present being delivered by Dr. W. B. 

 Carpenter, F.R. S., in the Middle Class School, Cowper Street, 

 Finsbury. The course was commenced last Thursday, and will 

 be continued on Mondays and Thursdays at 8 r.M. ; there will 

 be twelve lectures in all. We are sure that many of our London 

 readers, on being made aware that such a course of lectures is 

 being delivered by such an authority, will be glad to take advan- 

 tage of the opportunity, especially as the lectures are free to the 

 public. 



The first of the course of lectures at the' Zoological Gardens 

 given in pursuance of the provisions of the Davis Trust, was 

 delivered on Tuesday the 14th, by Mr. P. L. Sclater, being an 

 Introductory Lecture on the animals in the Gardens, of which 

 he gave many particulars that seemed greatly to interest the 

 audience. Last Friday Mr. Sclater gave the first of his course 

 of four lectures On the Geographical Distribution of Mammals, 

 in wliich lie dealt with the general laws of the distribution of 

 animals on ttie globe. Both lectures were well attended, the 

 picture gallery being nearly full. 



