1855.] Linnean Society. 391 



Trevelyan, the extensive herbarium collected by Mr. Fielding, and 

 made over to the University by his widow, the vast accumulation 

 of geological specimens brought together by Dr. Buckland, and the 

 minerals presented by Dr. Simmons : the care also bestow'ed upon 

 the arrangement of the old Ashmolean Museum by Mr. Philip Duncan 

 and his deceased brother is worthy of especial notice. 



Such collections as these demanded from the authorities the 

 erection of a museum commensurate with their extent and value ; 

 and it is most gratifying to be able to state that the University has 

 determined to apply no less a sum than £30,000 to the erection of 

 such a building, in which the greater part of these collections, 

 together with appropriate lecture-rooms, may be brought into con- 

 nection wdth each other. This design has lately been finally resolved 

 upon, and it is intended to proceed at once with its accomplishment. 

 Here then are means and appliances for the study of natural history 

 in many of its branches, which, although not yet completed, may be 

 looked upon as constituting a great and important step towards the 

 speedy establishment of a most extensive and efficient school in those 

 sciences. 



But this is not the only advance made by the University in this 

 direction. It has also introduced certain changes into its system, 

 intended to favour the study of these branches of knowledge. 

 Formerly, as is well known, physical science, together with the 

 branches of natural history dependent upon it, was Adrtually ignored ; 

 for although lectures were delivered on these subjects, no student 

 was obliged or even encouraged to attend them. Now, however, 

 an attendance upon the lectures of the Professors, and a certain 

 acquaintance with some branches of knowledge besides the classics, 

 are required for a Degree. The new branches at present insisted 

 upon must be two or more, either of them connected with Physics, 

 or wdth History or Law, or with Mathematics. Thus, it will be 

 observed, a knowledge of Physics stdl continues merely optional at 

 Oxford ; but it is even now to a certain extent encouraged by the 

 award of honorary distinctions to a proficiency in any of its branches, 

 and the same boon extends also to Natural History. This, Gentlemen, 

 may be accepted as an instalment, but only as such. In order to 

 attach to these sciences that degree of attention at Oxford to which 

 their importance unequivocally entitles them, some portion of the 

 endowments which are at present devoted exclusively to the encou- 

 ragement of the classics and mathematics, must be given to those 

 who have attained a proficiency in the studies in question. One 

 who is better acquainted with the statistics of that great and rich 



