Abstract
Bulletins de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, tome v. fasc. iii., 1882, contain the concluding part of M. G. D'Hercourt's “Ile de Sardaigne.” In this paper the author considers at length the nature and presumed purpose of the massive conical structures known as nur-aghes, of which there are upwards of 3000 on the island of Sardinia, generally on, or near the coast. Since Diodorus of Sicily, who ascribed their origin to Dedalus, they have been a puzzle to the learned. The author's remarks on the intelligence of the modern Sardi, notwithstanding that craniometrically they rank among the lowest European races, gave occasion to various discussions at subsequent meetings.—A communication from M. Beauregard in regard to a discovery, made last January by M. Crevanx, of an ancient city of the incas, at 10 kilom. from Salta, in the Argentine Republic, whose geographical position the latter was engaged in determining at the time.—On the various races inhabiting French Cochin China, by M. G. de Claubry, who confirms the general view of the mural and social degradation of the Annamites. He draws attention to the slight distinctions perceptible between the men and women of these tribes in voice, length of hair, gait, features, &c., and supplies interesting details in regard to the local flora.—M. Topinard, in presenting to the Society Hölder's craniometer, based on geometric methods, described the craniometric and anthropometric instruments in use from Camper's time to our own.—On the merits of M. Beaumanoir's system of comparing the facial and cranial areas, by M. Corre.—A report by M. Deniker of the result of the official examinations for the Society, of an adult ourang-outang, and a young female chimpanzee, recently brought to Paris. The latter, as in the case observed by Darwin, showed its temper like a petulant child, by pouting, kicking, grinding its teeth, and shedding tears.—A paper by M. Corre, on the craniometric relations of certain anthropomorphous apes.—Report by M. de Mortillet of the labours of the Commission appointed to examine and protect the megalithic monuments of France. By the efforts of the Commissioners the remains at Carnac have been secured from further demolition, and the Locmariaquer group, including in the so-called “Roi des Menhirs” the largest known monolith, has passed by purchase under the control of the State.—On the abnormal development of the teeth in a child's jaw, belonging to the Stone Age, and found at Erlen, near Colmar, by Dr. Collignon. The general dental system shows a low racial character, while the large permanent molars had come up before the milk teeth had been shed.—A communication by M. Hovelacque, on certain ethnographic survivals in Marne and Berry. In the former province it is deemed specially unlucky to use the horses of a deceased person till after his funeral; in the latter the hives must have a black ribbon attached to them while the family wears mourning, and to avert evil fortune from the house of a departed master, one of his nearest relatives must proclaim to the bees that their former owner is dead.—M. Chervin, on the census of the French people in 1881. The author shows that the augmentation since 1876 has been only 20 per 1000 in France, while in England it was 145, and in Germany as much as 574 per 1000! Maine and Normandy, notwithstanding their natural productiveness, are conspicuous for the regular diminution of their populations.—On a new form of sclerosis of the cerebral convolutions, by M. Pozzi, with special reference to the cerebral lesions common in insanity.—M. Duval's demand, so the name of a large number of his confrères, for the foundation by the Society of an annual Darwinian Conference, was opposed by M. Mortillet in as far as the term Darwinian was concerned, which he proposes to replace by that of transformist, arguing that the adoption of the word “Darwinism” is an act of injustice to Lamarck, whose researches entitle him to be regarded as the father of transformism. The question has been referred to the Central Committee.—M. Topinard's explanation of the funereal objects collected in the Philippines by M. Marché's mission.—A discussion on the project for a general manual of ethnographic questions, as drawn up by M. Letourneau for the Society. The plan followed, which is that adopted by the Florentine Society of Anthropology, is criticised at great length by M. Dally, who strongly objects to the phraseology and definitions employed in the questions, and in consequence of his objections M. Letourneau's proposed “Questionnaire” has been referred to a special commission for further consideration.
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SCIENTIFIC SERIALS . Nature 27, 214–215 (1882). https://doi.org/10.1038/027214c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/027214c0