RECORDS OF MEETINGS ^99 



really requiring a theory of cause at all. Doubtless we cannot go along 

 without at least thinking of causes and certain possibilities suggesting 

 themselves. One of the conclusions to which a palaeontologist is almost 

 necessarily driven is that every new modification is a response to some 

 stimulus affecting the part. A new habit alters a limb ; a new diet changes 

 a tooth. In each case, the change is such as might be most readily ex- 

 plained by an alteration in the cell activity due to a modification in the 

 nerve control. If we assume, as I believe we must, that acquired charac- 

 ters are inherited, a similar stimulus in succeeding generations would 

 gradually convert the inappreciable alteration in the individual to a mani- 

 fest distinct specific change in the course of time. 

 The Section then adjourned. 



William K. Gregory, 



Secfetary. 



LECTURE 



(In co-operation with the American Museum of Natural History) 



27 October, 1913 



His Serene Highness, Albert, Prince of Monaco, My Oceanograph- 



icAL Cruises. 

 (Illustrated with lantern slides.) 



SECTION OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY 



29 October, 1913 



Section met in conjunction with the American Ethnological Society at 

 8 :15 p. M., General James Grant Wilson presiding. 



There being no special business to transact, the meeting was devoted 

 to the following lecture : 



Robert H. Lowie, Field Notes Among the Hidatsa and Crow 



Indians. 



Summary of Paper 



Dr. Lowie discussed principally the kinship systems of the Crow and 

 Hidatsa, of which a valuable summary, though incorrect in certain points, 

 is given by Lewis H. Morgan in his "Systems of Consanguinity and 

 Affinity." Morgan notes as peculiarities of the Crow and Hidatsa sys- 



