263 
Ilicinew; a plan is given exhibiting the affinities including 
these families and others which at a greater distance also bear 
some affinity to Hbenacee. . 
A detailed description of the natural order, the genera, and 
the species forms the chief bulk of the paper. 
An alphabetical list of local names of the species, and 
diagrams for each genus exhibiting the numbers of stamens in 
each species, conclude the monograph, which is illustrated by 
several plates. 
(2) The influence of human degenerations on the pro- 
duction of insanity. By Dr Bacon, 
The object of this paper was to shew that insanity was a result 
of degeneration in the race, produced by overcrowded dwellings, 
vitiated air, insufficient nourishment, interbreeding and the like, 
The author called attention to the circumstances under which 
Cretinism existed in the Alps and other places; and shewed that 
insanity in England was most prevalent in those counties where 
the agricultural labourers were the worst paid. Thus in Wilt- 
shire 1 in every 12 was a pauper, 1 in every 327 insane: but 
in Westmorland and Cumberland, where the paupers were 1 in 
28 and in 24 respectively, the insane were one in 517 and 543. 
Hence le held that for the diminution of insanity more must 
be hoped from measures tending to raise the condition of the 
people, than from any increase of medical skill. 
The PRESIDENT remarked on the importance of the commu- 
nication, and said that as the town population was increasing at 
the expense of the rural, it was important to ascertain whether 
there were any signs of mental degeneration accompanying the 
asserted physical degeneration among them. . 
Prof, Pacer enquired whether Dr Bacon had detailed facts 
in the case of one village which he had mentioned, and made 
some remarks on the physical degeneration in towns, a larger 
