36 [Frsruary, 
instances the characters possessed by the artificial varieties, are absolutely 
impossible in the plan on which the genus, or even the order, is created. 
Instances of such permanent varieties may be readily recalled by every one; 
some of the most familiar are: the hornless variety of domestic cattle; the’ tail- 
less variety of domestic cat, found in the Isle of Man; the long-haired cat, known 
as the Angora, or Persian cat; the various forms of fowls with additional toes, 
and without tails; the varieties of pigeons and fowls with uncouth and distorted 
arrangement of plumage. 
The origin of some of these is lost in the depths of the past, while others are 
continually being introduced. 
In all the examples cited above, it will be found that the monstrosity depends 
on the loss of a character belonging to every species of the genus or tribe to 
which the parent stock belongs, or on the assumption of a character not found in 
any species or genus of that group. 
In the case of the hornless cattle, the part wanting, if not entirely coextensive 
with the order of ruminants, is at least essential to the genus Bos. 
In the anomalously feathered varieties of fowls and pigeons, the animal assumes 
structures either unknown in the groups to which it belongs, or else (as in the 
case of the ¢ ruffler’) entirely impossible in any species of bird whatever. 
‘The novelty in this principle is, that in the disputed cases of plural origin, the 
slightness of the unchangeable differences, found in different races, becomes a 
very strong, and, indeed, an invincible argument against the supposition that they 
have been derived from each other by the operation of external or internal causes. 
The advocates of the single origin of man or of dogs, are therefore in the 
unpleasant predicament of having proved too much, since the difference between 
the latter, on comparison with undeniable distinct wild species of wolf and fox, 
are in those characters which alone can manifest specific distinction. 
In the case of man the differences are in such particulars as alone could be 
changed without degrading him from his place at the head of the organic world. 
Itis almost needless for me to add that this principle extends to the vegetable 
kingdom, as every one will at once see in greenhouse and domestic plants, that 
the cultivated varieties are distinguished from each other by important structural 
differences, not recognized in the genera to which they belong. 
In all species or races there are individual differences of less importance than 
Specific characters, which by care may be isolated, and form what are apparently 
races. Thus snub noses almost invariably reproduce snubs; aquiline noses, in 
the same way, continue in families for numbers of generations. Yet, not to speak 
of the unimportance of such marks, these cases may be distinguished by the fre- 
quency with which exceptions occur. The numerous varieties, of cultivated 
fruits come under this head. 
February 24th. 
Vice President BripGezs in the Chair. — 
The Committee to which was referred the following papers by Dr. Le 
Conte, reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings: 
Tints towards a Natural Classification of the Family Hisrrini of Coleopterous 
Insects. 
By Joun L. Lz Conte, M.D. 
It is rarely that any subject treated by the illustrious Erichson is found capable 
of improvement. It is therefore with reluctance and hesitation that after a mi- 
mute study of the North American species of Hister, I find myself under the 
