378 Proceedings of the British Association. 



stay to breed in any place, the number increases from tlie equator 

 up to the 60th degree of north latitude, where the forests begin to 

 grow thin. But the progress of civilization has already had an in- 

 fluence on the migrations of certain species, by affording them an 

 abundant supply of provisions, where they were before without any. 

 Thus the starlings proceed further north as the culture of the Cere- 

 alia continues to extend in that direction, and the introduction of 

 certain tubular flowers into the gardens of Florida, has enticed spe- 

 cies of humming birds thither from the south. Some details were 

 then given of the distribution of the various families of birds, and a 

 table in the report exhibited the absolute number of species, as well 

 as the number of such as breed in Philadelphia, Massachusetts, and 

 Suskatchevvan. 



Mr. Phelps read a communication "on the formation of Peat." 



Mr. Mackay tlien read a communication he had received from 

 Mr. Nuttall, " on the management of the Pine tribe." 



Dr. Lloyd read a communication on the Marsileaceas. 



An abstract of a paper from Mr. P. Teale was read, " on Alcyo- 

 nella stagnorum ;" and very beautiful preparations and specimens of 

 it were placed on the table. It was found in great abundance from 

 August to November, in 1835, in a small pond near Leeds. It was 

 supposed to be new to Great Britain. 



Dr. Riley mentioned a circumstance in the osteology of the two 

 toed ostrich, which had escaped observation. He showed, that the 

 third toe was really present in a rudimentary state concealed by the 

 integuments. It consists of two phalanges, and is articulated with 

 a well defined condyle of the tarsal bone, and projects on the same 

 plane with the other two. 



Section E. — Anatomy and Medicine. 



Dr. Hodgkin read a paper on the connexion between the veins 

 and absorbents. 



Dr. Reid of Dublin then read to the section a paper, entitled, "a 

 short exposition of the functions of the nervous system." 



Section F. — Statistics. 



Prof. Forbes described the result of his application of Quetelet's 

 principle, of describing the increase of stature, weight, and strength 

 by curves. He had carefully experimented on English and Scotch 

 student&j between the ages of fourteen and twenty five, in the Uni~ 



