248 Mr. Johnston's Notes on the Univerdty qf Christiania. 



ke as professor of zoology and botany. Incessant rain is not fa- 

 vourable for the survey of such gardens, and therefore I did not 

 see that of Christiania. It would seem, however, to be in a flourish- 

 ing state ; for, though commenced by Siebke so late as 1815, it al- 

 ready contained in 1823, when the last catalogue vt^as published, 

 930 genera, comprising nearly 5000 species. Both the museum 

 and the garden were kindly assisted with duplicates from the Uni- 

 versity of Copenhagen ; and the seeds and plants transmitted by 

 Horneman gave its first importance to the rising institution. 



Botany is the favourite and prevailing study in Norway, though 

 this depends chiefly on its forming an important branch of medical 

 education. The extent in which the term prevailing is to be taken, 

 will be understood when it is added, that a good class for natural 

 history may amount to 20, and a good chemistry class to an equal 

 number. Professor Esmarck, who teaches mineralogy, geology, 

 and oryctognosy, has a good class when it is from 10 to 15. The 

 medical faculty would appear to be the best educated in Norway, 

 as a course of theology or jurisprudence may be completed in three, 

 while a medical course occupies from five to seven years. This is, 

 however, to obtain the title of doctor — a degree which is seldom 

 taken in the other faculties. 



Of the various examinations which are undergone by the stu- 

 dents before receiving their degrees and leaving college, I may here 

 mention, as unknown among us, the Bergsexamen (mining exami- 

 nation.) This examen is thus specified in the statute: " At the 

 Bergsexamen, the candidate, partly by written and partly by spo- 

 ken proof, shall give evidence of his proficiency in the pure mathe- 

 matics, namely, geometry, stereometry, trigonometry, algebra, equa- 

 tions, spherical-trigonometry, the first principles of the infinitesi- 

 mal calculus — ^in applied mathematics, with their most direct ap- 

 plication to machinery — in physics and chemistry — in oryctognosy 

 und geognosy — in metallurgy — in mining, and in the reducing of 

 qres. The candidate shall also give proof of readiness in architec- 

 tural and machinery drawing." This examination has been insti- 

 tuted for the purpose of sending forth men capable of directing 

 mining operations on the most scientific as well as the best practi- 

 cal principles. It were vain to talk of such examinations at our 

 universities, where many of the subjects are not taught. To things 

 merely practical, the application of science to the arts, little atten- 

 tion is paid in our public institutions. And perhaps it is better 

 that we leave practical men to learn these things where they are in 

 4aily operation ; fur then only can they be properly and completely 

 taught.* 



"* " In dyeing, for instance," said a well known pohjartist of this city to me 

 one day, " I have known a man who went always by his book. He put in so many 

 ounces of this and so many pounds of that, but he cou'dna get things to do ava. 

 1- recollect one day he made up a blue vat after this fashion, but it wadna work. 

 He was sure he had put in tho right weights, so he didna ken what to do wi't. 



