TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION II. 79.5 



a. Tnanimate, 



h. Animate (general), and 



c. Human. 



(A) Investigation (Science), 



(B) Imitation (Art), and 



(C) Improvement (Adaptation) 



of Nature J 



6. Rdujious, including all phases. 



Tiiis arrangement is based upon the nature of the services rendered to Ihe 

 individual by the various groups, those of the family being most special and imme- 

 diate, those of religion most general and ultimate. The higher the social organ, 

 the more easily is it referred to its group. l''or instance, the British Association 

 could not be relerred to any other than Class 4, Section A, and embracing sub- 

 sections a, h, and c. The classification proves nothing, and simply serves as a basis 

 for study; but the generalisations we afterwards obtain tlirough it may enable us 

 more clearly to perceive the limits of function in family life, in industry, govern- 

 ment, itc. 



Sociology might be distinguished from tlie allied sciences as the study of man 

 in iitiion ivith hisfellous — considering the mdividual as the imit of society or social 

 cell. If we divide the individual wo touch upon bwlogy (or physiology) : if we 

 examine merely varieties of individual type we enter on anthrojjologij. In studying 

 combinations of individuals we reach sociology. 



The scientific conception of society mu.st include and co-ordinate all known 

 social phenomena, not merely those of one class. 



The Jewish or Christian conception of society was of a kingdom of God — a 

 religious unity ; the old Uoman view was that of an empire — a political unity ; 

 the modem British idea is of a universal market — an industrial unity. Each of 

 these conceptions evinces a tendency or leading characteristic of peoples in various 

 ages and stages ; but each is insufticient as a general view of society. 



The conception of the two great masters of sociology, Comte and Spencer, is 

 that society is an organism, built up of individuals, and sustaining its existence 

 by means of organs, comparable in many respects to those by which animal life 

 is carried on. This treatment of the science as organic gives it a unity which 

 was impos>ible when it was studied through the dry bones of statistics. It sup- 

 plies the missing link which unites the industrial with the political, and the political 

 with the other organs, while it more clearly distinguishes the functions which 

 each performs in the social body. 



8. Fire-making in North Borneo. By S. B. J. Skertchly. 



The author did not describe any new method of obtaining fire, but his descrip- 

 tions were oflered as exact accounts of the process now in use. The parts of their 

 fire syringes were — cylinder, piston, tinder, tinder-box, and cleaning stick, lie 

 explained the length and material of each of these divisions, and the methods of 

 producing fire by tire drills, fire saws, and by means of bamboo and china. 



9. On some Borneo Trajps. By S. B. J. Skertchly. 



10. The Tribes of South Africa. By the Rev. James Macdonald. 



The author, who had lived twelve years among the tribes, referred to the 

 customs relating to property and inheritance, the manner in which they prepare 

 fire, their food, hunting and fishing, agriculture, and war. No cases of murder ever 

 caoie under his observation except such as were dealt with under English law. 



11. Report of the Committee for investigating the effects of Jfferent occupa- 

 tions and employments on the Physical Development of the Human 

 Body. — See Reports, p. 186. 



