7 
study, to say nothing of the fact that it was only “species- 
mongers,” who had any right to express an opinion on a great 
question like the Origin of Species — whether it was to be ascribed 
to Natural Selection or any other cause; and that of course his 
remarks would bo at once seen to bear especially on the not less 
important subject of Sexual Selection. 
Mr, Clark then exhibited to us the fine osteological collection, 
his explanations being scarcely less interesting than those of 
Professor Newton. Luncheon was provided in one of the vacant 
rooms of the museum, when Professors Paget and Babington 
joined the party, and afterwards a visit was paid to the Geological 
Museum, where Professor Hughes sliowed us through the Wood- 
wardian Museum, and taking for his text the axiom, “ Things 
are not always Avhat they seem,” exhibited to us a very remarkable 
series of formations so closely resembling fossils, that the most 
minute examination was needed to distinguish them from the 
genuine fossils wliioli were placed by their side. He also showed by 
a very extensive series of Terebratuhe from the Greensand, that a 
species is by no means the sharply defined unit which we are too 
much inclined to regard it. Professor Ilabington also kindly 
opened the Herbarium, and a too brief visit to Pepys’s library in 
^lagdaleii College, and cofleo in Professor Newton’s rooms, brought 
to a close a most delightful and instructive day. 
On the 26th of Juno an excursion to the charming district of 
Seething, Kirstead, and Brooke, was commenced and finished in 
the rain ; fine weather, however, lasted during our long walk from 
Seething Church through the beautiful woods, park, and quaint 
gardens to Brooke House. On the 31st of July a large party 
visited Clyffe House, Corton, near Lowestoft, on the invitation of 
^Ir. J. J. Colman, M.P. Arriving at Corton the party received 
a hearty welcome from Mr. and ^frs. Colman, and after some 
refreshment proceeded about a mile along the beach to a spot where 
a number of men were engaged in clearing awaj' the superincum- 
bent sand in order to expose the black soil, consisting almost 
entirely of vegetable remains, known as the Forest-bed. Here Mr. 
F. W. Harmer was to have read a paper (printed in our ‘Transactions’) 
