TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 1227 
animal of a lower grade may possess specialisations in some structures or organs 
of a higher ground than animals much higher in the scale of life. Cases of arrested 
development give us a clue as to how these specialisations occur. It was explained 
how cases of median harelip in the human subject may correspond to a normal 
condition in the cat and rabbit, and how abnormal conditions of the nose some- 
times occurring in man, indicate how the modification in the nasal organ of the 
elephant was produced. 
7. The Symbol Pillars abounding in Central Aberdeenshire. 
By the Rev. Joun Davipson, D.D. 
The following are the principal points referred to in this paper :— 
Peculiar symbols, incised chiefly upon unhewn monoliths, found over the north- 
east parts of Scotland, but mostly in the centre valley of Aberdeenshire. 
Similar prevalence of stone circles. These traceable also along the supposed 
routes of Celtic migration from Asia. 
Relative antiquity of symbol pillars and cross-bearing slabs in the same district 
of Scotland. 
Coincidence in locality of symbol pillars and such inscriptions with ancient 
Pictish kingdom. 
Symbol sculptures not the work of Christian times, or of the Romans, or of the 
Scots who succeeded the Pictish dynasty. 
Certain particulars associating the sculptures with the Pictish people and with 
eastern Celts. 
Hypotheses as to origin and meaning of symbols, Tarly and important in- 
habitation of Central Aberdeenshire. Pictish connection. 
Remarkable finds in the district. 
8. Notes on some of the Bantu Tribes living round Lake Nyasa in Eastern 
Central Africa. By Dr. Roserr Laws. 
Lake Nyasa is 350 miles long, varying in breadth from 16 to 60 miles, with 15 
different tribes living round it, each speaking a separate language. Best known of 
these are:—At the north end, the Anachusa coming from a point farther north- 
ward. Round Bandawe are the Atonga, while at Kotakota on the west, and 
Losewa and Makanjira on the east side of the Lake, are the Swahili and Arabs. 
To the west of Cape Maclear are Awisa from Lake Bangweolo. Yao, from the 
sources of the Rovuma, conquered the Anyanja, and are masters of the south part 
of Nyasa, and the hills to the east of the Upper Chiri River. The Anyanja or 
lake people lived on the lake shore, and apparently extended far to the north. On 
the highlands west of Lake Nyasa are the Angoni or Maviti. They came from 
the banks of the River Umsunduso, and crossing the River Zambezi in 1836, con- 
quered many tribes, broke. up into sections, and settled in different places. 
The natives are generally well developed physically, but vigour of body and 
mind is affected by climate and food. Prognathism is not very marked. Umbilical 
hernia is very common at some places. In walking the natives do not turn out 
theiy toes, and the second toe is always longer than the great toe. The reputed 
keenness of vision and acuteness of hearing of uncivilised tribes is due rather to 
the contrast hetween the training of the native and the traveller than to any dif- 
ference of the organs. In endemic diseases the European constitution resists the 
onset of the disease longer, but suffers more acutely from such than the native. 
The natives depend chiefly on agriculture for subsistence. No traces of a stone 
age have been found, but there are lake dwellings to be seen. There are iron 
mines in several places, and copper also is found. The smelting furnaces for iron 
of the Atembuka are 15 feet high, with eight blast pipes, and in section similar to 
those employed at home, Canoes consist of hollowed trees. Fishing nets, made 
of ntingo bark and bwarze fibre, are of different sorts. Hunting is common in 
certain districts. Dogs are used in following rabbits; nets, pitfalls, spears and 
guns for larger game. 
