from the intestinal canal of the animal infested by tape-worm, and creeps to a little distance, depositing its eggs in grass, in water, &c.

2. The ova being devoured in the food of some animal, are hatched into Embryos, microscopic in size, and furnished with little hooks, by means of which they penetrate into the vessels and are carried to different parts of the system.

3. They become developed into the stage of the resting scolex, in which they are little sac-like objects, on which heads or scolices armed with hooks and suckers are developed.

4. The flesh of the animal infested by these scolices, now known as Cystirerci, is eaten by some carnivorous animal, in whose intestines the little parasites fasten themselves, and become developed into tape-worms, producing new proglottides.

Such are the strange provisions made by a beneficient Creator for the life and welfare of creatures, in themselves most loathsome to us; but like all other parasites and plagues, intended to teach us lessons, both physical and moral, which man has been too slow to learn, and, from neglect of which, both he and his domesticated animals must probably long continue to suffer. The subject is, in many respects, an uninviting one; but of great importance in natural science and hygiene, and, for this reason, we desire to give our mite of encouragement to any one who follows it up in the right spirit.

AGASSIZ ON A MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.-A magnificent scheme, for the promotion of Natural History, is now under consideration in Boston. Prof. Agassiz, having declined the tempting offers made to him by the Emperor of the French, takes advantage of the opportunity to invite the attention of his adopted country to a scheme, by which the capital of Massachusetts may become the centre of Natural History education in America. The plan includes the erection of a museum on a magnificent scale, and the institution of curatorships to be eventually erected into chairs of Natural History. It is wise and far-seeing, and, we hope, will be warmly taken up by the Bostonians, who are alive to the importance of attracting to their city young men desirous of scientific education, and have already been, with this view, munificent patrons of their University. Our little attempts in Canada, in erecting museums and forming provincial and other collections, dwindle into small matters compared with the grand conception of the Swiss naturalist. We quote his own words, in

a memorial to the Committee of the Lawrence Scientific School :—

"In its present condition, the museum hardly furnishes me the specimens I require for my courses of instruction, for, in consequence of the daily accessions which are heaped upon those already crowded in this narrow space, it is often impossible to find what is wanted at the time, and it is out of the question to allow free access to the museum in its present confused state, to any student not already trained in the manipulation of specimens. Had I six or eight rooms of the size of the two now at my disposition, I could at least make a fair beginning of a systematic arrangement, separate the duplicates from what is to constitute the collection proper, allow free access to the rooms for the public as well as the students, and thus create a more general interest for this establishment, while the students themselves would derive all the advantages which such a collection ought to afford them in their studies. At the same time, the separation of the duplicates from the collection proper would furnish ample materials for an extensive system of exchanges with other institutions of the same kind, by which the collection would at once be at least doubled in all its parts, and in some of its departments increased three or four times, and in some, even tenfold. The advantages of such a system of exchanges are very obvious, and my inability from want of room to separate the duplicates from the collection, has already been, for some years past, a check upon its increase. I hope, therefore, that as soon as it is fully understood, some remedy for this evil may be found.

"But even the possession of an appropriate building will not altogether put an end to our difficulties. The collection is already so large that it is impos-ible for me to take charge of it alone, even were I to give all my time to its care. For many years past I have already been under the necessity of having one or two, and at times even three assistants, who, at my private expense have been, most of the time, engaged in taking care of the specimens. As I have nothing in the world but what I earn daily, such an expenditure has frequently been for me a source of unendurable anxiety, of which I wish to free myself, that I may hereafter devote whatever energy I may possess untrammelled to the higher interests of science. In this perplexity I have thought that a number of curatorships, corresponding to the scholarships now existing in the University, which enable young men, whose private means are insufficient for such an object, to receive a college education, might perhaps be founded by some of our wealthy citizens, which

would furnish a small income to students who have already taken their degree, and who, wishing to prosecute farther their studies under my direction, might thus earn the means of remaining in Cambridge by assisting in the arrangement and preservation of the collection, as well as in making the exchanges. The position of the Curators in the scientific school would thus be similar to that of the tutors in the undergraduate department. In a well. organized museum there should be as many curators as there are branches in zoology, including embryology,palæontology and zoological anthropology. In the course of time, these curatorships (to which should be attached the duty of delivering a certain number of lectures annually) may be endowed so as to afford the means of appointing special professors for each branch, and as soon as this is accomplished, our organization would be more perfect than that of either the British Museum or the Jardin des Plantes. Beside the curators, there should be one or two preparators, to mount specimens, and to make the necessary preparations required for the illustration of the specimens. It would also be desirable to have an artist attached to the establishment who would have to make magnified drawings of such specimens as are too small to be at once studied by the natural powers of the eye; these drawings would be appropriate ornaments for the corridors, and at the same time assist in the courses of lectures which it should be the duty of every curator to deliver annually upon the special branches entrusted to his

care.

"Gigantic as this scheme may appear, I see nothing visionary or unpractical in it; for, while it cannot be expected that so many curatorships should be founded at once, it is plain that they are not all needed now, and that the same person may take charge of several departments simultaneously for several years to come, and a subdivision of labor may be introduced as it becomes necessary, and our means make it possible. It would, however, be desirable that the services of four or five curators should be obtained soon, -one to take charge of the vertebrates, one of the mollusks, one of the articulates, one of the radiates, and one for the embryological department; and I would add that the sooner the latter curatorship is permanently founded, the better for our institution, as I believe that the methods I am attempting to intoduce in the study of animals by comparing their different stages of growth with the permanent forms of lower types, is likely to be a most original feature in this museum, and that which is likely to secure

for it a place among the institutions which shall contribute largely to the real advancement of science. Let me add, with respect to the lectures to be delivered by the curators, that, while they would be a means of progress for themselves in their studies, they would also learn the difficult art of teaching, and prepare themselves to occupy higher situations in this or other Universi ies.

"While we must wait until the means are secured for founding professorships in the different departments of zoology, I believe that it will be easy to enlist the sympathy and co-operation of all the men in the country, who have acquired for themselves a high position as original investigators in the various departments of Zoology. Honorary degrees are conferred, all the world over, by learned institutions on men distinguished for their attainments. It would be equally honorable to our university, and to the distinguished naturalists of the country, if it should please the corporation to grant to such men the title of honorary professors of this university. Until we can have a faculty of resident professors, we can at least have one of honorary professors; and I know those who, gratified by such an honorable distinction, would not hesitate to come to Cambridge annually for a short time, and give to our students the benefit of their knowledge, by delivering short courses of lectures in their respective departments."

TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.-GEOLOGICAL SECTION.

The Ossiferous Cavern at Brixham.-A paper on this subject was read by Mr. W. Pengelly, but not published in the Athenæum from which our extracts are made. Fortunately W. A. Bovey Esq., Advocate of this city, has a letter from his father, who lives the spot in which the following passage occurs, which he has kindly permitted us to copy.

upon

"I must not forget to mention a discovery recently made in our town, resulting from the Commons Inclosure Acts. We sold a portion of Windmill Rea Common, immediately over Mrs. Francis to a Mr. Philp for building purposes. On blowing out the rock for a foundation, they came in upon a cavern; the floor of which consisted principally of calcareous stalaginite, very solid and compact. On exploring it, a very large stag's antler was found imbedded in it, and several bones of the elk, fox, &c. &c. A party of scientific gentlemen from Torquay subsequently explored it, and obtaining a grant of money from the Geological

Society, (London), they purchased the right of working the cavern from Mr. Philp, for £50. A person from the Isle of Wight has been now engaged in it for a considerable time, and upwards of 2000 specimens of bones of extinct mammalia have been found in the various deposits forming the bed of the cavern. Just imagine such remains, the teeth, jaws, femurs, &c. &c. of the Elephant, Rhinoceros, Hyæna, Bear, &c., being entombed within the mass of lime-rock forming the hill behind the spot over which you have played many a time. When first the cavern was opened, it was not more than from 2 to 3 feet in depth, from the stalactitic roof; but on removing the stalagmite that forms the floor, they found a deep deposit 15 or 16 feet deep. All this has been removed so that the cavern is very large."

The most curious circumstance connected with the exploration of this cavern, is the discovery of flint knives in the bone bed. No human relics ever having been hitherto found mingled with the bones of extinct carnivora. According to the present theory of Geology, or at least, the most generally received notices of Geological time, the human period did not commence until long after the extinction of those mammalia. Nothing has hitherto been found to shew the contemporanity of man with those animals. Hence the discovery of those knives has given rise to much discussion among the Geologists. Some assert that they must have been either placed there by some one on purpose, or have accidently been mingled with those bones by diluvial action &c. &c. Others again contend for a higher period of human antiquity.

After Mr. Pengelly's paper, Prof. Ramsay read a report from the Local Committee at Brixham, from which it appeared that Dr. Falkner had found amongst these ossiferous remains the bones of the rhinoceros, boa, horse, reindeer, cave-bear, and hyæna, and also several well-marked specimens of flint-knives, generally regarded as of Celtic manufacture.

Prof. Owen said he was glad that means had been taken for the frozen together into one contiguous transparent mass, although careful exploration of this cave, but it would be premature to raise any hypothesis until the whole of the parts were before them. He had not yet seen any of the bones, and indeed was entirely indebted for what he knew on the subject to the paper which Mr. Pengelly had read, and he should refrain, therefore, from expressing any opinion, but he wished to caution them against coming to any conclusions as to the antiquity of these remains which were really not warranted. He proceeded to show, from the remains