TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. — DEPT. ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY. 369 



which corresponds to the most narrow and restricted sense of the word, psycho- 

 logy, i.e. the subjective psychology of introspection, will find its place. 



Psychology in the widest sense of the term, in its oldest and in what I believe 

 will be its ultimate meaning, must necessarily be, as to its details, a science of the 

 future. For just as physiology requires as a necessary, antecedent condition, a know- 

 ledge of anatomy — since we must know that organs exist before we investigate what 

 they do — so psychology requires as a necessary, antecedent condition, an already ad- 

 vanced physiology. It requires it because we must be acquainted with the various 

 functions, before we can study their synthesis and interactions. 



When, however, this study has advanced, one most important result of that 

 advance will be a knowledge, more or less complete, of the innate powers cf 

 organisms, and therefore of their laws of variation. By the acquisition of such 

 knowledge we shall be placed in a position whence we may advance, with some 

 prospects of success, to investigate the problem of the ' Origin of Species ' — the 

 biological problem of our century. 



This reflection leads me back once more to my starting point, the merits of the 

 great French naturalist of the last century, whose views as to variation, and as to 

 animal psychosis, have enabled me to bring before you the questions on which I have 

 presumed to enter. Buflbn's claims on our esteem have, I think, been too much for- 

 gotten, and I rejoice in this opportunity of paying my debt of gratitude to him by 

 recalling them to recollection. As to the questions which his words have suggested 

 to me and upon which I have thus most imperfectly touched, the considerations I have 

 ventured to offer may or may not commend themselves to your approval ; but, at 

 least, that they are the result of not a few years of study and reflection, and I am 

 persuaded they have consequences directly or indirectly affecting the whole field of 

 biological inquiry, which belief has alone induced me to make so large a call upon 

 your patience and your indulgent kindness. 



The following Paper and Reports were read : — 



1. On the Occurrence of Leptodora hyalina in England. 

 By Sir John Lubbock, Bart., V.P.B.8., M.P. 



Sir John called the attention of the Section to the occurrence in England of 

 Leptodora hyalina, a very interesting crustacean first found in deep lakes abroad, 

 and more recently in a reservoir near Birmingham. It was forwarded to him by 

 Mr. Bolton. Like many marine organisations it was as transparent as glass. This 

 rendered the creature less conspicuous to its foes. Like other animals of the same 

 group it laid two kinds of eggs. The young produced from these two kinds of eggs 

 were said to differ from one another, but this he had had no opportunity of verify- 

 ing. He then entered into a description of the little animal, and by means of 

 sketches illustrated the peculiar functions of the different organs, pointing out the 

 difference of the organs in male and female. 



2. Beport of the ' Close Time ' Committee. — See Reports, p. 165. 



3. Beport of the Committee appointed for the purpose of exploring the 

 Marine Zoology of South Devon. — See Reports, p. 165. 



4. Beport on the progress of the Zoological Becord. 

 1879. b b 



