The Scottish Naturalist. 7 1 



land— who are fluent and self-confident with their merely super- 

 ficial knowledge '" — perhaps 



But originators are extremely rare, — men of profound learning 

 — original thinkers— successful discoverers experienced in rec- 

 ondite research. While the former class of expositors finds an 

 appropriate platform in Mechanics' Institutes, and similar popu- 

 lar assemblies, it is from the other class — the men of original 

 genius — that our Professors of Science should be drafted. The 

 combination, in the same man, of aptitude for original research, 

 with facility in popular exposition, is so rare, that it must fre- 

 quently become a question with the Patrons of a University 

 Chair, whether to prefer to a vacancy the mere Teacher : or the 

 man possessed of great learning on the one hand, and of tried 

 aptitude for original investigation on the other — who is an " au- 

 thority" in the department of science, which he "specially culti- 

 vates. Holding the views I do regarding the position that 

 ought to be occupied by our University Chairs of Natural Science, 

 I am very strongly of opinion that every sacrifice should be 

 made — if it becomes necessary — in favour of the man of original 

 genius. If the rhetorical, harangue, lecturing, or "professorial," 

 system is to be perpetuated, any deficiency of power, on the 

 part of the Professor, in the mere "grinding" of students for 

 examination, could easily be remedied by the appointment of 

 Tutors or Class Assistants possessed of the necessary readiness 

 of speech, facility of popularising dry scientific details, and apti- 

 tude for the drudgery of inculcating and catechising. But the 

 so-called " Professorial" system appears to me to be the worst 

 that could be devised for making men Naturalists : and in what is 



* There is an aphorism which says that "Much Tongue and much Judg- 

 ment seldom go together : for talking and thinking are two quite different 

 faculties: and commonly there is most depth where there is least noise" ! And 

 long ago Facon said — " There is nothing makes a man speak much more than 

 to know little." In another form Butler puts it : — 



" All S matt' vers are more brisk and pert 

 Than those who understand an art : 

 As little sparkles shine more bright 

 Than glowing coals that give them light. ' 



And Roscommon says : — 



" The men who labour and digest things most 

 Will be much apter to despair than boist." 



