OcTOBER 8, 1897. ] 
first is a posthumous essay by the late George 
J. Romanes on ‘Isolation as a Factor of 
Organic Evolution,’ wherein Mr. Romanes dis- 
cusses the contributions of Mr. Gulick to the 
theory of development, and gives it as his 
opinion that isolation is to be ranked with 
heredity and variability as ‘the third pillar of a 
tripod on which is reared the whole superstruc- 
ture of organic evolution.’ He contends that 
even the principle of natural selection lies less 
deep, and makes of the latter a special case of 
isolation. Mr. Romanes also discusses his own 
doctrine of physiological selection. The second 
article, by Professor Himer, of Ttibingen, on 
“The Origin of Species,’ gives a concise digest 
of his views of evolution and exemplifies them 
by material and illustrations from his new 
forthcoming researches on butterflies. Eimer 
explains the origin of species, (1) by cessation 
of development at definite stages, (2) by evolu- 
tion per saltum, and (3) by prevention of im- 
pregnation, which is similar to Romanes’s 
physiological selection. He accords to natural 
selection a subordinate rdle only, having 
efficacy in the preservation but not in the origi- 
nation of species. The transmutation of forms 
is controlled by orthogenesis, or definite de- 
velopment, and not by chance variation. The 
article is substantially Professor Himer’s Leyden 
address, which has not yet appeared in German. 
The third article is by Dr. Paul Topinard, and 
constitutes part of his series ‘Man As a Mem- 
ber of Society,’ in which the French anthro- 
pologist traces the influence of the factors 
which have affected social development from 
the beginning of civilization to its highest con- 
summation. 
TuHE following field meetings have been ar- 
ranged by the Torrey Botanical Club, of New 
York: 
Oct. 2d.—Mosholu, N. Y., N. Y. & P. R. R. Leave 
155th St. (Ninth and Sixth Ave. Terminal, Man- 
hattan Elevated R. R.) at 9:30a.m. Returning, 
leave Mosholu at 12:37 p. m., or as desired. Ob- 
ject: Asters and Goldenrods. 4 Excursion fare, 
30 cts. Guide, Professor Burgess. 
Oct. 9th.—Woodhaven, Long Island, L. I. R. R. 
Leave foot E. 34th St. at 1:30 p.m. Returning, 
leave Woodhaven as desired. Excursion fare, 
35 cts. Guide, Mr. Hulst. 
SCLENCE. 
559 
Oct. 16th.—Caryl, N. Y., N. Y. & P. R. R. Leave 
155th St. at 1:00 p. m. Returning, leave Caryl at 
5:17 or 5:47. Excursion fare, 30 cts. Guide, Mr. 
Constantine. 
Oct. 23d.—Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, N. Y., 
N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Leave Grand Central 
Station at 1:00 p.m. Returning, leave Tarrytown 
at 5:37 p.m. Excursion fare, $1.00 Guide, Dr. 
Barnhart. 
Oct. 30th.—Fort Lee, N. Y. Leave foot of 125th St. 
at 1:00 p.m. Returning as desired. Fare, 10 cts. 
Guide, Mr. Clute. 
THE Committee of Fifty has requested Pro- 
fessor C. F. Hodge, Clark University, to gather 
the testimony of physiologists upon two topics 
relating to the practical teaching of the physi- 
ology of alcohol, and he is asking the follow- 
ing questions: First, as to the facts at our dis- 
posal, will you please give a list of the points 
which you consider sufficiently well established 
and of essential importance to the education 
of inedical and university students? We wish 
to learn your own view of the physiology value 
of alcohol as a food, condiment, stimulant and 
medicine ; its influence upon the tissues, organs 
and upon physiological processes. Please give 
also a list of the important points that you 
think are not sufficiently well proved to form a 
part of our teaching material, the points about 
which there is too much present difference of 
opinion. Second, to what extent do you think 
it wise to introduce alchohol physiology into 
elementary public school courses? I refer to 
the ‘Scientific Temperance Instruction’ pro- 
moted by the W, C. T. U., viz.: the require- 
ment by law that the subject be given consider- 
erable prominence throughout the school course. 
Have you examined any of the ‘approved and 
endorsed’ physiologies? If so, which ones? 
What is your opinion of them? Finally, will 
you give a list of the arguments which seem 
most conclusive to yourself either for or against 
this method of preventing alcoholism ? 
Mr. JosEpH COLLINSON, writing to the Lon- 
don Times, from Walsingham, Durham county, 
after referring to the reports showing that three 
golden eagles have been killed in Great Britain 
within the last six months, and two last year, 
says: ‘‘Our country is being rapidly deprived 
of some of the noblest of its feathered inhabit- 
