ULMAj 53I 



in the evolution theory during the past ten years have undoubtedly 

 been along the lines of Mendelian research. The simpler results 

 at least of the Mendelian breeding experiments are now generally 

 known among naturalists. The most recent advances in Mendelian 

 work make it at least highly probable that in many animals sex- 

 differentiation is itself a Mendelian factor. Mendel's work began 

 by experiments in hybridising, and we need to remember that 

 every sexual union is more or less of the nature of a "cross." 

 Without claiming that " Mendelism " explains all the facts of 

 inheritance, we may admit that it gives at least the promise of 

 explaining very much. And an explanation of the fixation of 

 definite characters of no utility in the " struggle for existence " is 

 exactly what we need as a supplement to natural selection. But 

 if we know something of the nature of variation and the " laws " 

 which govern inheritance the cause of variation is still largely a 

 mystery. So as the light of Science advances we realise an 

 enlarging circle of the unknown, and we receive with meekness 

 the wise warning of Thomas-a-Kempis — " If thou knowest many 

 things, and thinkest that thou understandest them well enough, 

 be sure of this, that there are many more things of which thou 

 art ignorant." 



Professor Gregg Wilson proposed a formal vote of thanks to 

 the lecturer, and commented on the capable manner in which he 

 had dealt with this very wide subject. Mr. F. Balfour Browne in 

 seconding the vote, raised an interesting point of discussion on 

 the possibility of descent along parallel lines. The vote having 

 been put to the meeting by the President and passed by 

 acclamation, Professor Carpenter briefly replied. Four new 

 members — Mrs. Kamcke, Miss S. Sloan, Masters Daly and 

 Culbert — were elected before the meeting terminated. 



GEOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF COAST EROSION. 



At a meeting of the Geological Section held on Wednesday, 

 28th February, Mr. W. J. C. Tomlinson gave a paper on the 



