The Scottish Naturalist. 61 



II. What are the qualifications desirable, or necessary », in their 



occupants? 



III. Whether, or how far, do their occupants possess the re- 



quisite qualifications? 



It appears to me desirable to regard our University Chairs of 

 Natural Science, from at least three different points of view, viz., 



a. In connection with their primary and most ostensible object, 



the Education of youth. 



b. In relation to the Advancement of knowledge; and 



c. As rewards for Distinction already achieved. 



Unquestionably the Education, instruction, or training, of 

 youth is the first and most important object of Natural Science 

 Chairs. But what is the proper education of a University Stu- 

 dent in Natural Science ? We must bear in mind that a Univer- 

 sity is not a mere School, nor are its Students mere boys ; and 

 that the sort of teaching which is suited to the latter is not 

 adapted to the former. A mere schoolmaster need not be deeply 

 learned, and seldom is so ; though he must, if he is to be effi- 

 cient, have tact and firmness. Moderate learning will command 

 the respect of boys, and satisfy their requirements. But the 

 qualifications most important in a Professor are altogether differ- 

 ent. " In order," says Professor Seeley (speaking of our two 

 grandest Universities, Oxford and Cambridge, and especially of 

 the latter) " to be a useful guide to the cleverest young men at their 

 most impressionable age, he must be before all things a man of 

 power and learning. .... A man, as compared with a boy, re- 

 quires above all things learned and profound instruction. . . . Even 

 if University teachers devote themselves absolutely to the work 

 of Education, they will find the way to influence the Students 

 most powerfully is by becoming as learned 'as possible," (p. 191.) 

 The primary ambition of a Professor of Natural Science is, or 

 ought to be, to make each of his students, or as many of them 

 as possible, and to as great an extent as possible, themselves 

 Naturalists. With such an obj ect, it is not enough to acquaint 

 them, by a series of dreary, meaningless Readings, with the con- 

 tents of some text-book, or its equivalent a volume of MSS. 

 Notes. It is infinitely more important that the Student should 



