1892.] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 91 



He stated that this relation determined the forms of the bones and 

 the muscles which moved them. These determined the general 

 arrangement of the viscera and of the circulatory system which ap- 

 plies nutrition. Behind all other systems, however, lies the nervous 

 system, the director of motion, and this was serially and raccearirelj 

 developed under the influence of use, which developed Intelligence Old 

 of simple sensibility and memory. 



Following Professor Cope's paper there waa a liv.lv and protracted 

 discussion upon all, participated in by a majority of the inemU r^ 

 present. Most of the arguments were iarorable to definite variation, 

 though the other branch of the topic had a few supporters. For over 

 an hour the discussion was kept up, becoming more interesting with 

 every new phase or branch of the subject presented. 



Those who took part in the discussion were Professors George Ma- 

 closkie, H. W. Conn, J. A. Ryder, George Baur, C. B. Davenport, J. 

 T. Rothrock, H. F. Osborn, H. P. Bowditcb, J. I\ McMurnVh, J. 

 A. Allen, E. D. Cope, W. P. Wilson, T. H. Morgan, R. P. Bigdow, 

 C. W. Stiles, William Libbey, Jr., E. A. Andrews. 



Prof. Macloskie, speaking on the mechanical growth, argued that 

 the place where the bones really grow is not where they rub together 

 but another part. Also, that it is an important thing that the environ- 

 ment may retard growth while the reproductive parts are active, and 

 in this way changes may occur on account of the environment. 



Prof. Osborn did not think that the evidence was conclusive, for, 

 taking into consideration all cases of the kind, there are some excep- 

 tions to the principle that bear strongly against it. 



Two points were made by Prof. Conn. First, on the tendency of 

 aquatic beetle larva? to assume similar forms, in spite of the wide differ- 

 ence and relations of the adults; and second, that in the discussion 

 nothing had been said about indirect or congenital variations. 



Professor McMurrich brought out more fully the points of his 

 paper, showing that all variations which are transmitted must pass 

 through the germ cells; that the egg must carry the variation. Also 

 that there is such a thin- "i" 11 , which does not need 



to be transmitted. 



The second annual meeting of the American Morphological 

 Society was held at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 

 December 28th and 29th. The attendance was good, and much interest 

 was manifested in the proceedings of the Society. The following are 

 the titles of the papers read : R. P. Bigelow, On the development of 

 sense-organs of the Guinea Corn-blubber (Cassiopea); E. D. Cope. On 



