432 Correspondence. [July, 
appearance, forthwith a Secretary of State writes to one of our 
learned societies to obtain their opinion. As a general rule a 
special committee is appointed to consider the evidence on the 
question, always voluminous and generally unscientific. Micro- 
scopic examinations have to be made, and a very considerable 
expenditure of time and trouble is demanded. Now were our 
learned societies, like those of some foreign countries, subsidised 
by the State, all this would be quite natural ; but it is somewhat 
singular in case of societies which are entirely self-supported. — 
I am, &c., 
Amphioxus. 
ANIMAL CANNIBALISM. 
To the Editor of the Journal of Science. 
Sir, — Allow me to give your correspondent “ Scrutator ” a 
further instance of animal cannibalism. According to Jerdon’s 
“ Mammals of India ” (p. 94) a wounded tiger has been observed 
to be dragged away and partly devoured by one of its own 
species. The male guinea-pig not unfrequently combines canni- 
balism and infanticide by preying upon his own offspring. — 
I am, &c., 
A. D. B. 
