Those who have watched a larval cod about 4 mm. in length nimbly avoiding the forceps following it for capture are in a fair way to estimate the brain-functions of an adult measuring three feet. Still more is this appreciation of such functions strengthened by the behaviour of a large grey skate in its endeavour to escape over a trawl-beam more than fifty feet long which had been arrested in its rise—just above the surface of the sea—by a temporary block in the machinery. The dexterity with which it skimmed to and fro along the beam to find where it dipped sufficiently during the movements of the ship to enable it to glide over was a study, and relief was felt when at last its intelligent perseverance was rewarded. The observation of a group of salmon on a spawning-bed, and the acquired skill of young trout in passing up a model of a salmon-ladder, are corroborative of both intelligence and memory. Moreover, if those who have given a green cod of six or eight inches a particular kind of “scale-back” (a kind of worm), and noticed, firstly, how eagerly it seized it, then tested it in its pharyngeal region, and soon ejected it, never again taking that species into its mouth, would be slow to deny that fishes, and even very young fishes, have a memory. It is well known that fishes prefer certain kinds of bait to others, probably because they retain the pleasant sensations of former occasions. Thus it is that anemones are a fatal bait for cod, lob-worms and certain Nereids for plaice, the toothsome mussel for most marine fishes, and the stripe of silvery skin (like a young rockling or mackerel-midge) so eagerly sought by the mackerel. Muddy water, again, obscures the nature of bait, and misleads both observation and memory, so that a lure which would not so readily capture in clear water is now effective, because no suspicions are roused. On the other hand, the presence of phosphorescent organisms on a mackerel- or herring-net is said to prevent a successful haul.

It is not my purpose on the present occasion to relate a series of observations. I merely desire to ask your attention to a field of work hitherto little cultivated, either abroad or in this country, especially the latter. I have not, indeed, come across any account from which it is to be gathered that anthropological methods—which are what I now refer to— have been adopted systematically in any asylum for any length of time, although of late such have been in use in certain asylums of America, and also of Italy. In respect of France and Central Europe I have no certain information; but I have not seen any notice in the journals of the speciality of the employment of these methods in the asylums of those countries. That the grosser stigmata of degeneration have been observed in the course of ordinary clinical work in asylums for some time, we are all aware. It is common to hear at clinical examinations that a particular case has a “narrow” or “sloping” forehead, a “flat” occiput; possibly we are at times more venturesome, and describe the head as “dolico-” or “brachy-cephalic” (our remarks thereby acquiring a certain nuance of scientific gravity). Or perhaps the palate is noted to be “arched” or “Gothic,” “semi-V-shaped” or “semi-saddle-shaped;” or the chin to be “receding;” or, employing a dramatic generalisation, we pronounce the patient to be of a “simian” type. I need not illustrate further, my object being simply to bring to mind the fact that it has for long been thought worth while to record conditions ascribed to imperfections of development. I pass to the representation that if it is worth while to record such conditions at all, it is proper that there should be some system whereby they may bo recorded. There are pathological forms, as you are aware, in many asylums, on which systematic records of autopsies are kept; and if at some future period it is desired to ascertain with what frequency a particular diseased condition occurs, or whether the supposed significance of such condition is real, the accumulated facts are available for consultation. But if one desires to ascertain to what extent it is true that certain anomalies of palate or ear occur in the insane, or that they occur particularly in certain states of mental perversion, one looks in vain for records. and if, haply, observations on the point be forthcoming, what is their scientific value?

The writings of Morel, Wildermuth, Binder, Gradengo, Vali, Frigerio, Eyle, Schwalbe, have familiarised us with several types of ear; and this, together with Bertillon's work, perhaps forms the bulk of our knowledge on the subject. Recently, in America, good summaries have been published by Meyer and Peterson.

There is but one important preliminary to my paper. It is that I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my most sincere thanks to the medical officers of Bethlem Hospital (Dr. Percy Smith, Dr. Hyslop, and Dr. Craig) for their great kindness and courtesy in putting every facility in my way while I was making the following observations, for the interest which they took in my work, and for the valuable suggestions which they so willingly afforded me from time to time.

The important part played by alcoholism in the causation of suicide has been abundantly recognised by all observers of both these social phenomena; and so far as debate now touches the question, it is merely to deal with points of detail.

In this paper I propose to consider the questions which this subject involves, chiefly from observations I have made upon convicts in this prison.

Modern opinion as to the nature of syphilis regards it as an exanthematous fever, with a period of incubation, a stage of efflorescence, and an epoch of sequelæ, and in fact diverging in no essential from the type of its class save in its more protracted course, by which peculiarity all other seeming variations can be explained. If the periods of incubation and efflorescence be taken as one, each stage of the disease may be said to have its own characteristic nervous phenomena, including psychoses; and this fact may serve as a basis for the classification of the syphilitic insanities.

It would be “flogging a dead horse,” at the present day, to offer arguments against the exploded phrenology of Gall and Spurzheim, which has long been discredited by scientific men.

It would appear, by reference to the Blue-book of the English Commissioners for 1896, that, out of 7182 deaths in the asylums of England and Wales, thirteen resulted from diseases of joints and bones, and eleven from fractures or dislocations. In 1897, out of 6783 deaths, fifteen resulted from diseases of joints and bones, and thirteen from dislocations and fractures.

As far back as 1871 a paper named “A Plea for Convalescent Homes in connection with Asylums for the Insane Poor” was admitted by the Editors, Drs. Maudsley and Sibbald, into the Journal of Mental Science. In 1879 an article called “After-care,” by the Rev. H. Hawkins, Chaplain of the Colney Hatch Asylum, was allowed a place in the same Journal. The then Editors were Drs. Clouston, Hack Tuke, and Savage. On the 5th June of the same year a meeting was held at the house of Dr. Bucknill, 39, Wimpole Street, to consider the subject of the “After-care of Poor and Friendless Female Convalescents on leaving Asylums for the Insane.” There were present Dr. and Mrs. Bucknill, Miss Cons, Dr. D. Hack Tuke, Mr. W. G. Marshall, Dr. Harrington Tuke, and others. A paper on the above-named subject was read. It was moved by Dr. C. Lockhart Robertson, and seconded by Dr. Hack Tuke—“That this meeting do form itself into an Association.” The names of Dr. S. Duckworth-Williams and of Dr. Savage were added to those already given. It was moved by Dr. Robertson, and seconded by Mr. W. Gr. Marshall—“That Dr. Bucknill be invited to take the office of President.” Also moved by Dr. Harrington Tuke, and seconded by Dr. Bucknill—“That the Rev. H. Hawkins take the office of Secretary.” These resolutions were unanimously carried. Later in the summer a meeting of ladies to consider the same subject was held at 84, Portland Place. Miss Cons consented to accept temporarily the office of Ladies' Secretary. Later in the same year another meeting was held at Dr. Bucknill's.