The week has been rather wet and scientific ; the
damp decidedly favouring the chances of science at Newcastle, though makiiig it a little dismal. The geologists have been quite mild in their controversy about the age of the flint javelins, but the physiologists,who always show a certain animal energy in these discussions, have been a good deal excited about the flexor of the great toe. The whole question, as between man and the apes, turned, said one gentleman, on the long flexor of the great toe, which in man is concentrated on that toe ; in the ape, is divided among all the toes. Of course, this threw a heavy responsibility on the great toe of our race, to which other physiologists objected. Newcastle science was on the tiptoe of excitement, and charges of garb- ling were muttered ; but, at last, the gentleman who had accused the other gentleman of garbling his views about the great toe admitted that he had not meant garbling but mis- understanding, so the principal flexor of the meeting was relaxed, and the physiologists fell quietly upon their feet once more, and went to hear Captain Grant tell his adventures in Uzinza and Uganda.
