PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
433 
well-known Ruffed Grous of North America, forming with it a distinctly-cha¬ 
racterized genus, with partly naked legs. Mr. Blytii then discoursed at some 
length on the general structure of the class of Birds, and exhibited analogous 
portions of the skeletons of various groups, to illustrate the variations which they 
presented. He dwelt especially on the importance of studying all parts of an 
animal’s structure, in order to attain a just idea of its systematic relations. The 
necessity of a knowledge of Anatomy in the investigation of zoological classifica¬ 
tion is so obvious, that it seems surprising that its utility should ever have been 
questioned; but probably the too exclusive use made of this valuable assistant 
by some naturalists may have induced the obloquy into which it has sunk even 
among some of our leading zoologists.—Mr. Blyth expressed a wish that the 
museum of the Society should be select rather than extensive, affirming that a 
comparatively small number of species, illustrative of the principal types or 
models of structure, would amply suffice for scientific purposes, if exhibited in all 
the progressive stages of their outward covering, and also in the various dif¬ 
ferential details of their anatomy.—N. A. Vigors, Esq., M.P., D.C.L., followed, 
with some observations to the same effect, remarking how necessary it is for those 
who wish to advance scientific Zoology, to penetrate somewhat deeper than the 
mere surface. Of course no classification could be relied on which was founded 
only on one system of organs, whether they were external or internal; it was on 
the totality of character that the natural system reposed, upon the whole rather 
than upon a part; and an arrangement based on the entire conformation 
must necessarily be permanent, and constitute a secure foundation on which to 
generalize. 
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Feb . 21.—Rev. Wm. Whewell, Pres., in the chair.—A paper was read on 
part of Asia-Minor, by W. J. Hamilton, Esq., Sec.G.S. This memoir gave a 
detailed account of the authors observations on the geological structure of the 
country from Mount Hassan L)agh, near Akserai (lat. 38° 20' N., long, about 34°) 
to the great salt lake of Toozla, Kodj-hissar, and thence eastwards to Caesarea 
and Mount Argoeus. 
March 7. —The Pres, in the chair.—A notice, by PI. E. Strickland, Esq., 
F.G.S., of Cracombe House, was read, on some remarkable dikes of Calcareous 
Grit, which intersect the Lias Shale, on the shore at Ethie, in Ross-shire. 
These dikes were noticed by Mr. Murchison, in 1826. Mr. Strickland offered 
no explanation of their origin, but wished to draw the further attention of 
geologists to the phenomena which they present.—A paper by Charles Darwin, 
Esq., Sec.G.S., was then read, “ On the connection of certain volcanic phenomena, 
