There was an interesting discussion on the same day in
the Anthropological Section on the possible deteriora- tion of our race arising mainly from the drift towards the cities. The Premier, in an address which we have criticised at length elsewhere, seemed very pessimistic, as he admitted deterioration, and questioned the success of all the remedies as yet suggested, such as the re. housing of the people who live in overcrowded quarters. He even expressed an opinion that the deterioration might be permanent, in which Sir John Gorst concurred, though he was inclined to believe that a remedy might be found in the better feeding of children while under instruction. [Would it be impossible, we wish to ask, to give them milk in the schools? That would supply the wanting nutriment without cancelling the obligation on the parents.] The experts, we notice, were not so pessimist, Professor D. J. Cunningham in particular declaring that there was a " natural mean" in the physique of each race to which it was sure to revert. He admitted, however, that something was very generally affecting the condition of the teeth—that is affirmed by all experienced dentists—and offered the remarkable suggestion that the increase in the volume of the brain which begins to be perceptible is producing " a • consequent slow process of shortening the jaws that prevents the growth and development of the wisdom teeth " ; and, we presume, though he did not say so, leaves all the teeth less room. This, we imagine, will be new to most of our readers, and is certainly a most singular result of increasing brain-power.
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