States. As yet I only have had time to refer to a few which appeared to bear more immediately on the objects I had in view, but I hope on some future occasion to return to the subject. In the meantime I must content myself with glancing rapidly over the different countries, taking them in the order adopted in my former addreses, and endeavouring to show the progress making in supplying our deficiencies. Towards these deficiencies I would particularly call the attention of entomologists and terrestrial malacologists, for insects and land shells are of all others the animals whose life and local stations are the most closely dependent on vegetation. In the following notes I am further precluded from entering into details as to the zoological works or memoirs mentioned, by the consideration that they would be superseded by the analysis given in the annual reviews inserted ia Wiegmann's Archiv, and more especially in our own admirably conducted Zoological Record, which so strongly claims the support of everyone interested in the promotion of Zoological Science.

(To be continued.)

ZOOLOGY

number of animals of very inferior organisation, without regard to their more or less advanced position in the animal kingdom." Striated muscular fibre has lately been shown to exist in the "tail" or appendix of Appendicularia by Moss (Trans. Lin. Soc., vol. xxvii. p. 300). It was already known to exist in Salpa, (Eschricht, ov. Salperne), in the articulated brachiopoda (Hancock, Tr. Roy. Soc., 1857, p. 805), and in Fecten (Lebert, Annales Sci. Nat. 1850, 3rd ser. t. xiii. p. 166; and Wagner, Lehrb. d. vergleich. Anat., t. ii. p. 470, 1847), as well as in Eschara (Milne-Edwards, Annales Sci. Nat., series ii. t. iv. p. 3). I believe, however, that this is the first instance in which it has been shown to exist in the class Gasteropoda; and this, as well as the rarity of such cases among the lower invertebrates, is a sufficient apology for bringing forward such an isolated fact. Other duties have not yet permitted me to determine whether this phenomenon is constant throughout the genus, or whether it does or does not occur among allied genera. W. H. DALL

SCIENTIFIC SERIALS

IN the first paper in the American Naturalist for May, Prof. C. F. Hartt opens out quite a new field for investigation in the

the Gasteropoda.*

IN studying the radula of a species of Acmaa (probably 4. Borneensis Rye), obtained by Prof. A. S. Bickmore at Amboyna, I noticed, on placing the structure under a power of 100 diameters, that certain of the muscular fibres which adhered to it, when torn from the buccal mass, had a different appearance from the others. On increasing the power to some 800 diameters, it was at once evident that the different aspect of these fasciculi was caused by fine, but clearly defined, transvers striation. Suspecting that it was an optical delusion, caused by a very regular arrangement of the nuclei of the fibres, I subjected the muscle to various tests and to still higher magnifying powers. I also introduced under the same glass some of the voluntary dorsal muscles of a small crustacean for comparison. The structure of the ultimate fibres in both appeared to be similar. These seemed to be composed of a homogeneous tube or cylindrical band of translucent matter, with nuclei interspersed at irregular intervals. In neither was there any appearance of separation into transverse discs, as is seen in the striated muscles of vertebrates. That the striated appearance was not due to contraction and folding of the muscle, was evident upon taking a side view of one of the fibres, when the striae on each side, as well as the intervening elevations, were seen to correspond exactly to each other. The only perceptible differences between the muscles of the crustacean and the striated muscles of the mollusk, appeared to be that the latter were much more finely striate; the striae being six to eight times as numerous as in the former in the same space. No difference between the striated and nonstriated muscles of the Acmaa could be observed, except in the fact of the striation. In both the nuclei were irregularly distributed. The appearance of the striated fibre reminded one of a string of rhombic beads, which bore no relation to the position of the true nuclei. The striated fibres appeared, after a careful dissection of the parts in a number of specimens, to be the retractors of the radula; they were longer and in narrower bands than the nonstriated fibres, and comparatively much fewer in number. The striation was most evident toward the middle of the fibres, and became evanescent toward their extremities.

In

Lebert and Robin (Müller's Arch. f. Anat. and Phys., 1846, p. 126) state that the primitive muscular fasciculi of invertebrates often have the nuclei and intervening clear spaces “arranged in such regular order that they might, at the first glance, be mistaken for transversely striated muscular fibres. The latter, however, are actually found in one acephalous mollusk, Pecten (and probably in Lima also), and some annelids," and are constantly present in the voluntary muscles of Crusticca and Insecta. the further researches of M. Lebert (Annales Sci. Nat., t. xiii. 1850, p. 161), he observes that there is nothing extraordinaty in the discovery of transversely striated muscular fibre in Polyzoa (Eschara) by Milne-Edwards, and in Actinia by Erdl, since "the further we have pursued the study of the comparative histology of muscular fibre, the more convinced we have become that transversely striated muscular fibre is to be found in a large

very great interest. The inscriptions occur on the rocks in various districts, and are many of them very rude, representing human and other figures, the sun, moon, and stars, and others very difficult to decipher. Prof. Hartt mentions as a curious circumstance that the hands and feet are always represented by radiating lines, usually only three digits being drawn for each hand and foot; the number rarely reaches four, and never five. This, he thinks may be explained by the fact that many tribes of Brazil are unable to count beyond three or four. The antiquity of these rock paintings and sculptures is undoubted, being mentioned by many ancient writers, as well as by Humboldt and others in more recent times. There can be no doubt that they ante-date the civilisation of the Amazons, and there is a strong probability that some of them, at least, were drawn before the European discovery of America. A short paper, by Dr. F. R. Hoy, on Dr. Koch's Missourium tetracaulodon, made by Prof. Owen into a Mastodon, points out several particulars in which Dr. Koch's account of the discovery of the fossil is not to be relied on, especially the inference of the great antiquity of man deduced from it. Mr. J. H. Emerton gives an account of the so-called "Flying Spiders," which are merely blown about by the wind. Among the "Miscellany" is an interesting note by Mr. A. Garrett, on the Distribution of Animals in the South Seas, especially in the Viti Islands. The number is altogether one of

unusual interest.

Archiv für Anthropologie, 1870, Heft 3. An essay on "Theories of Sexual Generation," by Prof. His, of Basel, is rather historical than speculative, tracing the two principal lines of opinion represented in early science by Hippocrates and Aristotle, as to the respective functions of the two parents, and the mode of transmission of their bodily characteristics to the off-pring. Among modern writers Prof. His dwells especially on Harvey's views. A paper by Dr. Welcker, "On the compressed feet of Chinese ladies," contains careful drawings, showing the shoe, the foot, and the abnormal position of the bones. As complete an account is given as the subject needs from an anatomical point of view. Dr. Jensen, occupied in studying the proportions of the brain in the insane, arranges for this purpose, a "stereoscopic-geometrical drawing apparatus," by the aid of which to produce geometrical drawings on which measurements can be

made. Dr. Schaaf hausen's dissertation on "Cannibalism and Human Sacrifice," is a valuable, though somewhat undigested contribution to the subject. Among the motives assigned for cannibalism, the principal are hunger, revenge, superstition, such as induces savages to devour a brave warrior to obtain his courage, and lastly, the gluttonous longing for a kind of flesh which is described as appetising. Human sacrifice may sometimes be a relic of early cannibalism, an offering to deities who devour human flesh, or it may be an act of propitiation. There is evidence of the ancient or modern existence of cannibalism in most countries of the world, Great Britain being distinctly included. Even in modern times it occasionally breaks out in the civilised world, but on the whole its frequency among savages, and its general disappearance under improved social conditions, enable the writer, who argues in favour of a steady progression in the civilisation, to put it fairly into his argument.

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES

LONDON

Geological Society, May 24.-Prof. John Morris, VicePresident, in the chair. Messrs. Mosley, Colvin, Noble, F. R. A. S., and Davey, were elected Fellows of the Society. The following communications were read :—(1) "On the principal Features of the Stratigraphical Distribution of the British Fossil Lamellibranchiata.' By Mr. J. Logan Lobley, F.G.S. In this paper the author showed, by means of diagrammatic tables, what appears to be the present state of our knowledge of the general stratigraphical distribution of the fossil Lamellibranchiata in Britain. As a class, the Lamellibranchs are sparingly represented in the Lower, and more numerously in the Upper Silurian group, and fall off again in the Devonian; they greatly increase in number in the Carboniferous, become scanty in the Permian and Trias, and attain their maximum development in the Jurassic rocks. They are also largely represented in the Cretaceous and Tertiary series. The stratigraphical distribution of the two great subordinate groups, the Siphonida and the Asiphonida, corresponds generally with that of the class; the Siphonida predominate over the Asiphonida in Tertiary formations, whilst the reverse is the case from the Cretaceous series downwards. Nearly all the families of Lamellibranchs are represented in the Jurassic and Carboniferous rocks, and in the former very largely. The author remarked especially on the great development of the Aviculidæ in Carboniferous times. Mr. Etheridge, after noticing the importance of the paper, remarked that possibly the great difference observed in the proportions of Lamellibranchiata in different formations might to some extent be due to our want of knowledge. Of late years, in the Caradoc and Lower Silurian series, the number of species had been nearly doubled, principally through the persevering industry of one single observer, Lieut. Edgell. The same was to some extent the case in the Carboniferous rocks, owing to the collections of Mr. Carrington. Much was also being done for the Oolitic series, in connection with which the names of Mr. C. Moore, Mr. Sharp, and Dr. Bowerbank ought to be mentioned. Mr. Griffiths and the Rev. Mr. Wiltshire were doing the same work for the Gault. What the late Mr. S. P. Woodward had done as to the distribution of the different species of molluscs through time, Mr. Lobley was doing on a larger and more extended scale. Prof. Ramsay was glad to find that Mr. Lobley was, to some extent, doing the same for the Lamellibranchiata as Mr. Davidson had done for the Brachiopoda. He did not know how the case might be with the Silurian and Devonian formations, but in the Carboniferous strata the Lamellibranchiata were obtaining a preponderance over the Brachiopoda. He accounted for their comparative absence in formations of other ages, especially between the Upper Silurian and Rhætic beds, by the best known areas of those periods having been mainly continental, or containing principally freshwater or inland sea remains, so that the true marine fauna was absent. In Carboniferous times possibly the true relative proportions of the two forms had been preserved in the deposits. Mr. Judd was doubtful as to the safety of placing too great reliance upon figures. He questioned whether some of the conclusions as to the great increase of Lamellibranchiates between the Carboniferous and Jurassic periods could be substantiated. Much depended on the amount of the rocks present in different countries, and the study bestowed on each. The conditions also for the preservation of the fossils might be more favourable at one time than another. Mr. Carruthers considered the tables as of the greatest value, as indicating the present state of our knowledge. He called attention to the difference of conditions under which deposits had accumu. lated, which must have to some extent affected the proportion of Lamellibranchiates preserved in the different formations. Mr. Charlesworth remarked on the occurrence of Trigonia in the Australian seas, and on there being varieties of form among specimens of existing species so great that if they were found fossil they might be regarded as of several species. Mr. Hughes considered that the data were too incomplete to justify the generalisations of some of the previous speakers. It had been pointed out that whenever the tables showed a very large number of Lamellibranchs from any formation, that formation had been carefully worked out by local observers; and therefore he would like to know in each case the proportion the Lamellibranchiata bore to the total number of fossils found. It had been shown also that a larger proportion of Brachiopoda had been found in the older rocks, and of Lamellibranchiata in the newer. But in the older rocks whole genera of Lamelli

branchs are confined to horizons and localities which are not cut off by stratigraphical breaks, such as would allow us to think it at all probable that they can be characterised by peculiar genera. He thought the scarceness and irregular occurrence of Lamellibranchs in the older rocks could be best explained on the supposition that those portions of the older deposits which were least favourable to Lamellibranchs happened to be those now chiefly exposed to our search, and that those few portions are only in part worked out. Mr. Jenkins observed that in thick deposits there was a far greater likelihood of numerous forms being present than in thin, for thickness meant time, and time meant variation. Prof. Morris dissented from this view, as in thin littoral deposits an enormous number of shells might be present, while in beds formed of deep sea they might be almost entirely absent.- -2. "Geological Observations on British Guiana," by Mr. James G. Sawkins, F.G.S. In this paper the author gave a general account of his explorations of the Geology of British Guiana when engaged in making the geological survey of that colony. He described the rocks met with during excursions in the Pomeroon district, along the course of the Cuyuni and Mazuruni rivers, on the Demerara river, on the Essequibo and its tributaries, on the Rupununi river, and among the southern mountains. The rocks exposed consist of granites and metamorphic rocks, overlain by a sandstone, which forms high mountains in the middle part of the colony, and is tre garded by the author as probably identical, or nearly identical, with the sandstone stretching through Venezuela and Brazil, and observed by Mr. Darwin in Patagonia. Prof. Ramsay remarked upon the barrenness, from a geological point of view, of the district investigated by Mr. Sawkins, and especially called attention to the absence of fossils in the stratified rocks. He referred briefly to Mr. Sawkins's labours in Trinidad and Jamaica, and to his discovery of metamorphosed Miocene rocks in the latter colony exactly analogous to the metamorphic Eocene rocks of the Alps. He was glad to see that the author had brought forward examples of cross-bedding in metamorphic rocks, and considered that the results adduced were favourable to those views of the metamorphic origin of granite which he had himself so long upheld. Mr. D. Forbes, on the contrary, considered that the facts brought forward by Mr. Sawkins were confirmatory of the eruptive nature of the granites observed. He added that cross-bedding was common in igneous rocks and even in lavas. Mr. Tate remarked that in the country to the north of the district described in the paper metamorphic rocks abound. He considered that the series of metamorphosed Jurassic rocks extends across the whole north of South America, and perhaps into California. Similar sandstones to those described occur in the basin of the Orinoco, and contain fossils which show them to be of Miocene age. Mr. Tate did not consider these sandstones as the equivalent of the Patagonian sandstones, as from the shells contained in the latter they would appear to be Pliocene or Pleistocene. Mr. Sawkins, in reply to a question from Mr. Tate, stated that the only gold found in the country had probably been carried down from the well-known gold district of Upata. He also entered into a few additional details connected with the chief points in his paper, dwelling especially upon the physical features of the country, in illustration of which several landscape drawings were exhibited.

Pollock, Bart., M. A., vice-president, in the chair. Silas KemRoyal Institution of Great Britain, June 5.-Sir Frederick ball Cook, Miss Elinor Martin, Dr. Charles Bland Radcliffe, and Mrs. Radcliffe were elected members of the Royal Institution. The special thanks of the members were returned for the following donation to "The Fund for the Promotion of Experimental Researches" :-Sir Henry Holland, Bart. (thirteenth annual donation), 40%.

Anthropological Institute, May 29.-Prof. Busk, F.R.S., vice-president, in the chair. George Latimer of Puerto Rico was elected a member. Mr. F. G. II. Price read a paper "On the Quissama Tribe of Angola," inhabiting that portion of Angola situated on the south bank of the Quanza river. The country had lately been visited by Mr. Charles Hamilton, well known for his travels among the Kaffirs. The Quissama bear the reputation of being cannibals, but cannibalism, although undoubtedly practised by them to some extent, does not largely prevail. The men are well formed, and average about five feet eight inches in height, they are copper-coloured, have long, coarse, and in some instances, frizzled, hair; their heads are mostly well developed, and the Roman nose is not unfrequently met with.

Their weapons are spears, bows and arrows, and occasionally guns, the latter being rude copies from the Portuguese article. Mr. Hamilton was well received by the chief, who told him that he was the first white man that had seen the tribe at home. The men and women of the Quissama are addicted to hunting; they are virtuous, practice monogamy, marry young, and are very prolific. The men largely preponderate in numbers over the women, the result, it is supposed, of infanticide, but of that practice Mr. Hamilton had seen no evidence. The Quissama believe in the existence of a Supreme Being.-A paper was read by Lieut. George C. Musters, R.N., on the races of Patagonia inhabiting the country between the Cordillera and the Atlantic, which the author had traversed during the years 1869 and 1870. The Patagonians consist of three races distinctly differing in language and physique, and partially differing in religion and manners, Tehuelches or Patagonians, Pampas, and Manzaneros, the latter being an offshoot of the Araucanians of Chile. The Tehuelches and Pampas are nomadic tribes subsisting almost entirely by the chase. The proverbial stature of the Patagonians was so far confirmed by the observation that the Tehuelches give | an average height of five feet ten inches, with a corresponding breadth of shoulders and muscular development; the Manzaneros come next in order of height and strength, the Pampas being the smallest of the three races. The Manzaneros are remarkable for their fair complexions, whilst the Tehuelches are, literally speaking, Red Indians. Lieut. Musters had visited all the various tribes of those races, from the Rio Negro to the Straits of Magellan, for political purposes, and he estimated the population, which he described as diminishing, as follows:Tehuelches 1,400 to 1,500, Pampas 600, and the remainder Manzaneros, amounting in all to about 3,000.-Dr. Eatwell contributed a communication on Chinese burials.-Mr. Josiah Harris announced the arrival from the coast of Peru of various pieces of rag, of wooden images, pottery, and other articles of great interest; and the chairman stated that the specimens would be exhibited and described at the next meeting of the Institute.-Mr. George Harcourt exhibited a flint implement found near a stream flowing from Virginia Water, and a bronze Celt discovered in the root of a tree in the parish of Thorpe, Surrey.

PARIS

Academy of Sciences, May 1.-M. Chasles contributed a rather long but very important paper on Conic Sections. The illustrious mathematician gives the theorems rather than the mode of demonstrating them. It is a reminiscence of the old academy in the golden age of the seventeenth century. The theorems are very numerous.-M. Trécul read a rather long account of the analysis of the juices which can be extracted from aloes.-M. Decaisne read a memoir, which is printed at full length, on the Temperature of Children when they are taken ill.-M. Delaunay presented the second number of his monthly meteorological report for the month of April. It is to be noticed that April expired on a Sunday, and that M. Delaunay spared not a single hour, as his résumé was ready on the following day. The observatory had suffered scarcely any injury up to the end of the second siege. No delegate of the Commune had presented himself either to take possession of it or to blow it up.

May 8. It was only at this late date that M. Longuet's death was officially made known to the Academy. M. Delaunay, who presided over the proceedings, gave expression to a few becoming sentences of regret at the loss the Academy had experienced. M. Longuet was a physiologist of much ingenuity and ability.-M. Duchartre, member of the Botanical Section, read a rather long paper on our knowledge of Liliaceæ.-M. Sedillat, the learned Arabic scholar, read a paper on the etymology of French words having an Arabic origin. Their number is immense, and M. Littré, in his great "Etymological Dictionary," supposes it to be even much larger. The intercourse with Arabs was very active even in medieval times, as is proved by the history of the University of Paris, which so long defended Averrhoes. M. Sedillat gives many instances chosen from an immense number of others.-M. Stanislas Meunier sent a very interesting paper on meteorites. The experiments were made by him according to the precepts given by M. Daubrée, to whom M. Stanislas Meunier is assistant. M. Daubrée is now a refugee at Versailles. The museum where these experiments were executed is said to be safe, contrary to previous assertions. M. Stanislas Meunier explained by what process serpentine mountains can be changed into tadjerite. Tadjerite is found in some meteorites which belong to he museum collection. Specimens are also to be found in the

British Museum, Yale College, U.S., &c. M. Boilot, the scientific editor of the Moniteur, read a paper which was written to show astronomers that they must study carefully the different kinds of combustion on the surface of the earth, natural or ar ificial, to gain some quasi-experimental knowledge of the celestial phenomena of the origin and variations of star light. The doctrine was illustrated by some interesting observations.-M. Quesneville, editor of the Moniteur Scientifique, presented a set of his papers. -M. Tremeschini presented three drawings representing one large solar spot seen on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of May at noon. These drawings are inserted in the Comptes Rendus. M. Tremeschini lives at Belleville, the spot where the rebellion fought its last desperate struggle. It is to be hoped that he escaped safe, though up to this moment nothing has been heard from him.

BOOKS RECEIVED

ENGLISH.-A Memoir of the Indian Survey: C. R. Markham (India Office). —Light Science for Leisure Hours: R A. Proctor (Longmans).-At Last, 2 vols. Rev. Canon Kingsley (Macmillan and Co.).—The Modes of Origin of Lowest Organisms: Dr. H. C. Bastian (Macmillan and Co.). FOREIGN. (Through Williams and Norgate)-Lehrbuch der Mechanik: Dr. Wernicke.-Le Soleil: Padre Secchi

DIARY

THURSDAY, JUNE 8.

SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, at 8. 30.-On the important Excavations in Rome
during the present season: J. H Parker, F.S.A.
MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY, at 8.-Oa Plücker's Models of Certain Quartic
Surfaces: Prof. Cayley.-On the Motion of a Plane under certain Condi-
tions: Mr. S. Roberts.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.-Sound: Prof. Tyndall.
FRIDAY, JUNE 9.

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, at 8.
QUEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB, at 8.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 9.-On Dust and Smoke: Prof. Tyndall.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, at 3.-On the Instruments Used in Modern Astro nomy: J. N. Lockyer, F.R.S.

on the controversy between the upholders of the two theories of development and degradation, of whom Sir J. Lubbock and the Duke of Argyll are among the latest representatives. "The master-key," he well observes, "to the investigation of man's primeval condition is held by pre-historic archæology. This key is the evidence of the Stone Age, proving that men of remotely ancient ages were in the savage state." While he shows, however, that the study of archæology has gradually cut away the ground under the feet of those who, like Archbishop Whately and the Duke of Argyll, appear to consider that civilisation was originally created in a state of happy mediocrity, from which it has since more frequently fallen than risen, he is careful at the same time to recognise the agency of degradation as secondary only to that of progress. One circumstance in connection with this argument has perhaps hardly been sufficiently considered by the advocates of either side. The distribution of mankind over the face of the globe is an event for the most part belonging to pre-historic ages, but it is quite clear in some cases, and strongly probable in many others, that the occupation of new territories widely divided by the sea from the earlier inhabited portions of the world, was the result of seafaring disaster; that, in fact, the first denizens of many islands, and perhaps of some continents, were the shipwrecked crews of primeval canoes, cut off from further intercourse with their countrymen, destitute of all the materials and appliances of such rude culture as they may once have possessed, and ignorant of even the primitive industrial arts necessary to utilise them even if they were at hand. Under such circumstances and a consideration of the actual distribution of mankind in historic times countenances the supposition that the contingency must have occurred over and over again— the march of degradation must have been certain and swift; and even allowing that in the case of mariners belonging to a somewhat advanced tribe, the degradation might be only temporary, the event would account for at least some portion of the diversity which is only less striking than the uniformity perceptible in the various civilisations of the world. Be this, however, as it may, the entire evidence available on the subject fully bears out Mr. Tylor's conclusion, that "throughout the whole vast range of the history of human thought and habit, while civilisation has to contend not only with survivals from lower levels, but also with degeneration within its own borders, it yet proves capable of overcoming both and taking its own course. History within its proper field, and Ethnology over a wide range, combine to show that the institutions which can best hold their own in the world gradually supersede the less fit ones, and that this incessant conflict determines the general resultant course of culture.

The next two chapters are devoted to "Survival in Culture," the strange permanence in the midst of a higher civilisation of certain customs, arts, opinions, &c., long after the real and earnest meaning has died out of them, which in a lower stage commended them to acceptance. Among these metamorphic remains of an earlier world are many, if not most, of the games, rhymes, proverbs, riddles, and minor social customs of civilised peoples. A notable instance is to be found in archery. "Ancient and widespread in savage culture, we trace the bow and arrow through barbaric and classic life and onward to a high

mediæval level. But now, when we look at an archery meeting, or go by country lanes when toy bows and arrows are 'in' among the children, we see, reduced to a mere sportive survival, the ancient weapon which, among a few savage tribes, still keeps its deadly place in the hunt and the battle." In another passage Mr. Tylor remarks: "the practice of poisoning arrows after the manner of stings and serpents' fangs is no civilised device, but a characteristic of lower life, which is generally discarded, even at the barbaric stage." Perhaps one of the most striking instances of linguistic survival is to be found in the word intoxication," derived from "toxicon," the material employed for poisoning the arrow. Among other instances of survival, Mr. Tylor quotes the custom of casting lots. It is noteworthy that both Wesley and Whitfield in certain cases employed this means of ascertaining what they considered the Divine will, and that even yet many Englishmen are to be found who attach under certain circumstances the old sacred significance to the process. That the theory of survival suggested by Mr. Tylor does really account for nearly all the otherwise utterly unaccountable customs and ways in vogue among civilised nations, will not be doubted by anyone who has taken the trouble to trace their history in any considerable number of cases. It is not, for example, many years since the present Lord Leigh was accused of having built an obnoxious person -one account, if we remember right, said eight obnoxious persons-into the foundation of a bridge at Stoneleigh. Of course so preposterous a charge carried on its face its own sufficient refutation; but the fact that it was brought at all is a singular instance of the almost incredible vitality of old traditions. The real origin of a story such as this dates from a time when the foundations of bridges, palaces, and temples were really laid upon human victims, a practice the tradition of which is handed down to us in the Romance of Merlin, and a thousand other legends old and new, to be finally embalmed for the benefit of posterity in Mr. Tylor's volumes. The most telling, however, of all Mr. Tylor's instances of survival are those which bear upon the history of modern spiritualism.

"Beside the question," he observes, "of the absolute truth or falsity of the alleged possessions, manes-oracles, doubles, brain-waves, furniture movings, and the rest, there remains the history of spiritualistic belief as a matter of opinion. Hereby it appears that the received spiritualistic theory of the alleged phenomena belongs to the philosophy of savages."

This conclusion may possibly astonish and even "exercise" the spirits of some of the faithful; but assuredly it is abundantly borne out by the evidence adduced, which parallels with most afflicting minuteness the various phenomena of spiritualism from medieval story and tales of witchcraft, from classic fable and ecclesiastic miracle, from Chinese divination and Indian divinity, from the feats of North American mountebanks, the hocus-pocus of the angekoks in Greenland, the juggleries of the Siberian shamans. Even this array of evidence, however, is but a fraction of what might be produced. Mr. Tylor quotes Lucian's Hyperborean, who flew and walked on the water clad in undressed leather breeks, and who by the way is possibly only an allotropic form of our own Regnar Lodbrok; but he spares us that other