SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
133 
ZOOLOGY. 
The Posterior Lobes of the Brain in the Lower Animals. — The controversy 
raised by the statement of Professor Owen, that the posterior, or third, lobe 
of the cerebrum (Train proper), is peculiar and common to the genus homo, 
and that certain parts found in the hind lobe are equally restricted to man, 
still attracts the attention of physiologists and comparative anatomists. 
Dr. Turner, Demonstrator of Anatomy at Edinburgh, agrees with the oppo 
nents of Professor Owen, that it is now fully proven that the Quadrumana 
(monkeys) possess a posterior lobe, with its characteristic parts. He has also 
found very decided posterior lobes in the cerebrum of certain Cetacea 
(whales), as well as a high degree of complexity in the convolutions of the 
brain. 
In-andrin Breeding of Domestic Animals. — It is a generally received opinion 
that in-and-in breeding, while it is extremely injurious in the case of the 
genus homo , is not accompanied by similar evils among domestic animals. 
A contributor to the Comptes rendus speaks thus forcibly upon this sub- 
ject : — “ Breeding in-and-in is, under no circumstances (as has been 
advanced by a forced interpretation of what passes in domestic animals), a 
practice favourable in itself, and altogether without danger. Far from it, it 
is for all species a cause of degeneration and decay. It is useful sometimes 
to have recourse to it as a necessary evil, to which one must submit in order 
to reap a counterbalancing advantage ; but the practice should be dis- 
continued as soon as there is no longer an absolute necessity for it.” 
The Unicorn. — Dr. Baikie, the African traveller, announces that he is upon 
the track of this, as hitherto supposed, fabulous animal. Writing from 
Central Africa, he says that several years ago he heard allusions to such an 
animal, as he ascended the Niger, which were so circumstantial that his 
scepticism was shaken, and, at all events, he is disposed to hold that its non- 
existence is not proven. Two informants told him they had seen the bones of 
i such an animal, particularly describing the long straight (or nearly straight) 
black horn. He states that the hunters are well acquainted with the one- 
horned rhinoceros, and carefully distinguish between it and the presumed 
unicorn. No doubt the vast forests and unexplored wastes of Central Africa 
contain many unknown animals, and Dr. Baikie gives a list of native names 
by which this strange creature is called in various African dialects. 
The Aye-aye. — The most remarkable addition made of late to the stock of 
living animals at the Zoological Society’s gardens is an Aye-aye ( Cheiromys 
Madagascariensis). This extremely rare and curious nocturnal animal has only 
comparatively recently been known even to the natives of the islands which it 
inhabits. Mr. Edward Mellish, of the Mauritius, going on a mission of con- 
gratulation to King Badama II., on his ascent of the throne of Madagascar, 
took such effectual steps, that, although he could not at that time procure 
a specimen, one shortly afterwards was forwarded to him, which has reached 
London alive and in good health. 
Sounds produced by Mollusca. — The lakes of Ceylon contain shell-fish which, 
Sir E. Tennent informs us, produce remarkable sounds, referred by the Cin- 
