THE HIGHLAND AND AGKICULTURAL SOCIETY. 177 



4 



tliese five were found to be insufficiently acquainted witli 

 the knowledge requisite for undertaking professional work, 

 and were not permitted to go on with the oral examination. 

 Out of the thirty-five students allowed to go forward for final 

 examination, certificates were conferred on thirty-two. 



On this occasion, Captain Tod of Howden, the chairman, re- 

 ferred to the loss the Society had sustained by the death of Dr 

 Dumbreck, who had for many years been one of the examiners of 

 the Society. He had been succeeded by Dr Dycer, as president 

 of the examiners. He was glad to think that the new system of 

 double examinations seemed to answer so well. 



The third of the preliminary examination of students took place 

 on the 13th and 14tli July 1875, when thirty-two students 

 entered their names for examination, and sixteen passed. 



Fifty-third Session, 1875-76. 



The adoption in 1873 of an examination in anatomy, chemis- 

 try, and botany, of pupils who have attended any recog- 

 nised college during eighteen months, and which has been held 

 annually in July, proved of good service in regulating the 

 students' work. This preliminary examination in July last 

 (1875) relegated to their studies a considerable proportion of 

 the candidates, and the number now qualified to enter for this 

 higher final examination have been proportionally reduced. 

 Instead of upwards of forty candidates presenting themselves, 

 as in some former years, the list from these causes this year 

 only included twenty students, fourteen of whom passed. 



At the close of the examinations, which were held on the 17th, 

 18th, and 19th April 1876, Captain Tod of Howden reminded the 

 students that although they had now finished their College career, 

 they must not consider that they had finished their education. 

 They must, as long as they were in practice, continue trying to 

 improve their knowledge, so that they might be more efficient. 

 The stock of this country was now of much more value than it 

 was in former years, and the duties of the veterinary surgeon 

 were much more important. He urged them in their walk in 

 life to endeavour to secure a high character and maintain the 

 reputation of gentlemen. Nothing would do them more good in 

 business. He hoped they each would have a successful career, 

 and that they would not forget the College at which they received 

 their education. 



The fourth of the preliminary examination of students took place 

 on the 11th and 12th July 1876, when forty-one students entered 

 their names for examination, and twenty-seven passed. 



M 



