V. 



ON THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THE 

 NATUEAL HISTOEY SCIENCES. 



The subject to "which I have to beg your attention 

 daring the ensuing hour is " The Eelation of Physio- 

 logical Science to other branches of Knowledge." 



Had circumstances permitted of the delivery, in 

 their strict logical order, of that series of discourses 

 of which the present lecture is a member, I should 

 have preceded my friend and colleague Mr. Henfrey, 

 who addressed you on Monday last ; but while, for 

 the sake of that order, I must beg you to suppose that 

 this discussion of the Educational bearings of Biology 

 in general does precede that of Special Zoology and 

 Botany, I am rejoiced to be able to take advantage of 

 the light thus already thrown upon the tendency and 

 methods of Physiological Science. 



Regarding Physiological Science, then, in its widest 

 sense — as the equivalent of Biology — the Science of 

 Individual Life — we have to consider in succession : 



1. Its position and scope as a branch of knowledge. 



2. Its value as a means of mental discipline. 



3. Its worth as practical information. 

 And lastly, 



4. At what period it may best be made a branch of 

 Education. 



