groove. Looking to the sketch, if we suppose two phalanges, like the terminal phalanx of the external lesser toe, with laminæ on both sides, to become confluent, the appearances presented by the lateral raised portions, and the laminated parts of the great ungual phalanx, will be exactly accounted for. The median raised piece is not so accounted for; but the existence of two foramina, which are described in veterinary anatomy as situated at the base of the pyramidal process of each ungual phalanx, may partially account for it. Against the supposition of this median portion being the rudimentary phalanx of a median fifth toe, it will be noticed that the lesser internal toe has the usual three phalanges, showing it to be the index, not the pollex, as the supposition of five toes would imply. I have thought it necessary thus particularly to notice these appearances, for they do at first sight suggest the idea of one great phalanx formed by the coalescence of three small and two great phalanges. They are quite as distinct on the left fore foot. The end of the phalanx presents a notch corresponding to that in the horse, but broader and deeper, and partially subdivided by a wavy median projection, which bears no trace of symphysis.

I

HIND FOOT.-In the hind foot, only the Distal Phalanx is single, as represented in the accompanying sketch (fig. B). The raised median and lateral portions are much less distinct than on the fore foot. The notch at the tip is simple, and not so wide or deep as on the fore foot. There is no trace of a double origin to the bone. Above, it rises up into a broad "pyramidal" process, on each sloping side of which is the articular surface for the widely separated lower ends of the middle phalanges. Its length at the middle

III

II

is inch, at the side; the Fig. B. From the right hind foot of the Solidungulous Pig. greatest breadth is 1.

The Middle Phalanges are entirely separate. They are

little more than half an inch in length. Below, they are

inch apart, and each presents a simple convex surface for its separate articulation with the ungual phalanx, on the concave sloping side of which it rests obliquely, as if the middle phalanx would tend to slip downwards and outwards off the ungual phalanx.

The Proximal Phalanges diverge below to rest on the middle phalanges, and approximate above, where they rest on each other as in the fore foot.

The Lesser Toes have the metacarpal, or metatarsal, and three phalanges, and are of the usual proportionate length. The ungual phalanx of one of the lesser internal toes of the fore foot, as seen in fig. A, presents a bifurcation reaching half the length of the phalanx; and as each of the portions has laminæ on both sides, it would seem as if the hoof had also been divided.

On comparing the measurements of the various bones and regions of the limbs and trunk with those of the domestic boar in the Museum, they correspond so closely that the skeleton of this solidungulous pig may be regarded as presenting no variety, with the exception of the phalangeal peculiarities already described.

The skeleton is articulated with the toes more vertically placed than in the ordinary hog. In the hind foot, all the phalanges are in the same line, and nearly vertical. In the fore foot, the metacarpus and the proximal phalanges are vertical, the middle, and especially the ungual, sloping forwards. The lesser toes are articulated parallel to the greater. From the form of the articular surfaces, these positions do not appear to be unnatural.

The Epiphyses of the limbs are still separate from the shafts and processes. As shown in fig. A, they occur, as is usual in other mammalia as well as in man, at the distal ends of the metacarpals and metatarsals, and at the proximal ends of the phalanges. The distal phalanges, as usual in the horse, ruminant, pig, and some others, have no epiphysis. There is no epiphysis on the middle phalanx of the lesser toes; but, from the appearance of the upper ends, I am not certain but that they have been lost, from their small size. The epiphyses of the great middle phalanx of the fore foot, and of the

middle phalanges of the hind foot, have commenced to consolidate with the shaft towards their inner side. If the now single phalanges were really formed by the coalescence of two originally separate phalanges, it is worthy of notice that all trace of that median consolidation has disappeared, while the epiphyses of the foot are still separate, except a small part of those of the middle phalanges.

I have endeavoured in vain to obtain the recent limbs of this variety for dissection. The preceding description of the state of the bones, however, shows that the solidungulous condition is not confined to the hoof, but extends to the interior of the foot. It would be interesting to examine the modification also of the soft parts, especially of the tendons and nerves. Facts regarding the breed would also be interesting: whether the variety is known to occur occasionally among ordinary breeds, and whether it is then transmitted; whether there are now separate breeds of the solidungulous hog in this country, or in Sweden or Hungary, and if so, whether the young are always solidungulous, and what is the effect of crossing with the bisulcous hog; and whether it presents any other peculiarities of form, or differs in its habits, or feeding, from the ordinary hog. I would feel much indebted by receiving information on these points from any one who may know of living specimens of the variety.

2. Case in which the Fore Foot of the Horse presented

Two Toes.

In September 1859, I examined, on Ford Common, Northumberland, a two-year old filly which had been born with the left fore foot cleft like that of the ox. Each of the two toes had its three phalanges, which could be made to move past the corresponding phalanges of the other toe, showing the complete division of the foot as far up as the fetlock (metacarpophalangeal) joint. The division externally was carried to the same extent as in the ox. The lower end of the great metacarpal (cannon) bone felt as if bifurcated like that of the ox, so as to give separate articular support to the two toes. Farther up, the great metacarpal, as in the other fore limb, presented the usual form of that bone in the horse. The two lesser metacarpal bones were felt to terminate at the usual

place on the right side, and as if a little farther down in the left limb; but of this I could not be quite certain. The two hoofs were quite separate and complete, each having its own horny "frog" as in the ox. No attempt at shoeing had been made, and the hoofs having become elongated forwards, had recently had their points sawn off. The whole foot was much. larger or more spread than the other.

Unable to obtain possession of the animal at the time, I had to content myself with leaving instructions, with the view of afterwards obtaining the limbs for dissection. Notwithstanding, the death of the animal was not reported to me; and on inquiry I learn, with the liveliest regret at losing such a valuable preparation, that the recovery of the bones is impossible. The preceding description of the foot is from my notes written at the time of the examination, which was made in the presence of my friend Mr R. B. Robertson, F.R.C.S., now of Ardrossan, and of Mr Strutt, the veterinary surgeon at Ford.

This variation would have admitted of ready explanation under the old theory of the formation of the horse's foot, by the confluence of two originally separate toes, just as the great metacarpal bone of the ruminant is known to be formed by the coalescence of two metacarpals. But when we remember that the foot of the horse is developed as one toe, the occurrence of two toes in a "soliped" becomes a remarkable and significant fact in the history of variation.

The Place and Power of Natural History in Colonisation; with special reference to Otago* (New Zealand). By W. LAUDER LINDSAY, M.D., F.R.S. Edin., F.L.S. and F.R.G.S. London, &c.

Uses of Natural History to the Colonist.

My principal aim in the following remarks is to bring under your notice some of the uses and advantages of the Natural

Extracts from a Lecture prepared for, and at the request of, the "Young Men's Christian Association" of Dunedin (Otago, New Zealand). Pamphlet, pp. 30. Dunedin, January 1862.

It may be desirable here to note, in explanation or preface, that the Lecture in question was prepared towards the close of 1861, after a four months' residence in Otago, mostly devoted to excursions investigatory of its natural

Sciences to the British colonist, and to colonial governments, more especially to the Otago colonist and the Otago government. I will endeavour to show how, and to what extent, practical use may be made of such sciences as Geology, Mineralogy, and Botany; how far, or in what ways, they may be rendered, when judiciously applied, subservient to the daily necessities or luxuries of the settler; how they may minister to the material riches, the substantial progress, of the State. In recommending the study of Natural Science to colonists, I am constantly met with the query 66 Cui bono ?" "What is the precise use or value of such sciences to me? How will a knowledge thereof add to my wealth or prosperity? I hope to be able to indicate, by a few illustrations, that a knowledge of Natural Science is on the one hand a solid gain of an easily appreciable kind; while on the other it will not stand in the way of a colonist's usefulness as a farmer, a runholder, a storekeeper, a merchant, or a member of the Provincial Council; that scientific education does not necessarily unfit a man for manual labour, or for entering fully on any of the departments of colonial life. On the contrary, there is every reason to believe that scientific knowledge would render a settler more able to take advantage, for his own profit as well as that of the State, of the opportunities surrounding him; more ready to develop the natural resources of his adopted country; while it would tend to make him, in every other respect also, a better man. I think I could point with confidence to some of the most successful of your settlers here, whose studies at Oxford and Cambridge, at Edinburgh and Aberdeen, have, so far from unfitting them for the business of wool producers, cattle breeders, or farmers-of merchants or legislators-been the sources to them of equal pleasure and profit. Indeed I know that some of the producers of your highest priced wools-your most successful rearers of stock-are graduates or undergraduates of our home universities,-striplings from Oxford and Cambridge, Eton and Harrow, lacking apparently the bodily vigour necessary for being pioneer settlers,-youths whose physical

history (more especially its geology and botany). At that period almost nothing was known of the natural history of Otago; and this fact, in connection with the then recent discovery of the Tuapeka gold-field, which had directed the attention of the colonists to the natural resources of the province, led to the urgent request that the author should embody his views on some of the main bearings of natural science on the progress of a new country in a popular form, and induced him, under many disadvantages, personal and general, to accede to this request by the delivery and publication of the lecture aforesaid. It may be further proper to remark that the observations on the natural history of Otago, being essentially of a popular and general character, and consisting of a traveller's impressions during a hurried visit to a new country, do not aim at, nor can they claim, scientific exactitude-an exactitude impossible without deliberate examination and investigation, microscopical and chemical-implying not only labour, but time, the latter of which, especially, is obviously not at the command of the passing traveller.