336 STRUCTITEE AND ADArTATION OF TEETH, ETC. 



other numerous and varied scientific labours, the 

 " British Mammalia and Reptiles,'* of Professor 

 Bell, have confirmed his position in the foremost 

 rank of naturalists, and will serve as the text- 

 books of future generations. In the cursory view 

 I have taken of this wide field, I feel how inade- 

 quately I have fulfilled the task, especially when 

 I coQsider how efficiently these subjects are treated 

 by distinguished men of science in this country. 



If I have, been able to offer suggestive hints 

 which may lead some of my younger brethren to 

 pursue these studies, I shall feel that our time this 

 evening has not been altogether vainly spent. 



