1869.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 33 



definitions,demonstrate identities as determined from a reference to such 

 definitions. "We must compare, we must determine resemblances by 

 a reference to type and establish similarity in effects by their analogy 

 with known results of known causes. And this practice of reasoning from 

 analogy, this necessity for estimating degrees of probability, and 

 for balancing varying amounts of evidence, and the habits of thought 

 thus educed, constitute one of the marked advantages of the Natural 

 Sciences as part of a system of education. They thus fill a blank 

 by calling into active and continuous operation habits of thought, 

 and by educing powers of mind, which neither the study of literature 

 nor of the mathematical or social sciences sufficiently exercise. 



We have had during the year the pleasure of welcoming back from 

 Abyssinia our able associate, Mr. William Blanford, who had been 

 attached as Geologist and Naturalist to the force engaged in that 

 country, for the release of the prisoners confined there. During the 

 progress of his interesting trip, the Society had received several com- 

 munications giving brief accounts of his progress, which were full of 

 interest, and at the last meeting (Dec.) Mr. Blanford completed these 

 sketches up to the date of his return. At the same meeting, a con- 

 siderable part of the valuable collections which he had brought back 

 with him, illustrative of the Natural History and Geology of Abys- 

 sinia, was placed on the table, and bore ample testimony to the energy and 

 enthusiasm which he had brought to bear on his enquiries. Since his 

 return, Mr. Blanford has been engaged in the more careful examination 

 of his collections, and in the preparation of his detailed reports. I 

 sincerely hope that these may be, under the sanction of the Govern- 

 ment of India, given to the public in a fitting form, with ample 

 illustrations. It is true that the Natural History of Abyssinia has 

 been perhaps better worked out, than that of any other equally un- 

 frequented part of the African Continent, and that in consequence, the 

 number of novelties brought back by Mr. Blanford has not been very 

 large. But he has been fortunate in meeting several and in obtaining 

 specimens also, which throw additional light on the structure and 

 history of other animals the existence of which was known, but not with 

 sufficient accuracy. Further, although many papers of high import- 

 ance have been published in other languages treating of the Natural 



