240 
rOPULAE SCIENCE REVIEW. 
The subject of coal was introduced by Professor Ansted in two papers, — 
one referring to a newly-discovered tertiary coal, of excellent quality and 
strictly bituminous, found in Hungary ; and the other pointing out the 
difference between coal with bituminous schists. Dr. Sterry Hunt also 
made a communication on the subject of the Rock Oils of North America. 
But little discussion followed, and the question as to the origin of coal was 
not gone into. The discussions generally in the geological section were 
somewhat tame. Mr. Sorbv communicated a very interesting addition to 
his observations on the structure of shells, pointing out that certain 
parts of the animal and certain animals habitually deposit carbonate of 
lime in the shape of aragonite, while other animals, and some other parts, 
deposit calcite. The aragonite form is not, however, so permanent as that 
of calcite, and hence it is apt to disappear or pass into calcite during 
fossilization. 
Section E did not present much that was new. Sir R. Alcock, on 
Japan ; Sir C. Nicholson, on recent explorations in Australia ; Captain 
Burton and Mr. Jules Gerard, on African discovery, — all promised well, 
but failed to keep up the interest their subject matter seemed to offer. 
There was, however, an interesting communication by Mr. J. Wright, on 
an archaeological subject, started at the Oxford meeting, arising out of the 
excavations on the site of the ancient Roman city of Uriconiuin, on the 
borders of Wales. Numerous human remains were there discovered, and 
of some of these the skulls are strangely and systematically distorted. As 
all the regular interments within the walls consisted of bodies that had 
previously been burned, the persons whose skulls remain were probably 
destroyed when the city was sacked and burned. The skulls of the 
Roman inhabitants seem not to be injured, but buried in a spot supposed 
to be an entrance to the town, and under circumstances which seem to 
show that they are certainly not older than the Roman period, and pro- 
bably not much newer. There were found eleven skulls, seven of which 
were singularly and uniformly deformed, having an unnatural twist, 
which causes one eye to advance beyond the other, and gives an obliquity 
to the face. The cause of this has not yet been determined. 
Several communications of great interest were made in Section F 
(Economic Science and Statistics). Among the most important, both for 
subject and treatment, may be mentioned one by Mr. Vernon ITarcourt, 
on scientific evidence, and two or three, by competent authorities, on the 
course of studies and the expenses of student life at the University. 
Valuable and lively discussions took place with reference to all these. 
It has long been felt that the position of a man of science called on to 
give evidence in a court of law is difficult and unsatisfactory. He receives 
his instructions and information on the question at issue from one side, 
and as there are few subjects that do not admit of two opinions, he 
naturally and inevitably makes the best of the case put before him. To 
some extent, he thus becomes an advocate, and his real judgment is 
biassed. It was proposed by Mr. Harcourt that, in place of scientific 
evidence, as now received, skilled assessors should be appointed by the 
judge on application, and that they should give their opinion in writing. 
Mr. Whiteside, Q.C., while admitting the necessity of some change in the 
