610 Distinctness of Man 



duties of a laborious profession, the author has not altogether 

 quitted the line of that profession, so closely are medicine 

 and botany connected. It might be calling upon others to 

 enter too much into his own feelings, were he to state how 

 often he has found the weariness of a professional journey 

 relieved by botanical researches. Every man in the author's 

 situation must sympathise in those pains and sorrows of 

 which he is the daily spectator : in these cases botany has 

 frequently lent a soothing aid; it has often diverted from a 

 painful train of thought a mind which, if it had been less 

 alive to these feelings of anxiety, might perhaps have been 

 better adapted to his profession." 



Art. X. Retrospective Criticism. 



The late Discussion between Mr, Waterton and the Rev, F, O. 

 Morris. — Having only just returned from the coast, I have 

 not until now been able to look over the last Number of the 

 Magazine of Natural History, I perceive therein some re- 

 marks, by Mr. N. Wood and Mr. Salmon, on the controversy 

 which has been carried on between Mr. Waterton and myself, 

 and I beg leave to say that in the justice of the remarks of 

 these two gentlemen I entirely concur, being convinced that 

 no good whatever can arise, in a scientific point of view, from 

 any sarcasms however pointed, or any recriminations how- 

 ever just; and therefore, in any difference of opinion from any 

 other naturalist which hereafter I may be obliged to entertain, 

 I shall make it my study to express such opinion in a way 

 the very reverse of that style which has, during the course 

 of the late controversy, been introduced into your pages. 

 — Francis Or pen Morris, Sept. 6. 1836. 



P.S. In my last letter there is a misprint of extirpanfe, 

 for extirpand'o. 



Mr. Morris's Remarks on Mr. Waterton. (p. 434.) — Mr. 

 Waterton, having returned to England, has consulted us re- 

 specting writing a reply to Mr. Morris's last letter. From 

 the tone, however, of Mr. Morris's communication, we felt 

 satisfied that no good would result from a continuation of the 

 controversy, and we therefore requested Mr. Waterton to 

 take no further notice of the matter, with which he has kindly 

 consented to comply. — Ed. 



Is Man distinct, or not, from all other Beings ? — I beg to offer 

 the following comments on Mr. Blyth's remarks " on the 

 distinctness of the human race from all other parts of the 

 creation," published in a note in p. 398. 



