Ixvili PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
zoological and botanical works which have recently appeared, I also 
call their attention to a few points, the investigation of which seems 
to be specially required at the present time. It is true that the 
leaders of the science whom we are proud to reckon among our 
Fellows may well consider these remarks as superfluous, but I now 
address myself more especially to those who, having but a portion of 
their time to devote to natural history, or limited materials at their 
disposal, may be pleased to have their attention directed to a few 
subjects upon which their observations, however minute and isolated, 
may, if careful and accurate, contribute usefully to the general 
advancement of science. And if I take my illustrations chiefly from 
Botany, it is because that is the branch more immediately connected 
with my own pursuits; but the same principles are applicable to 
zoological investigations, the intimate connexion of the two sciences 
in all their details becoming every day more evident, and I have 
to thank my friend Mr. Busk for the selection of those new zoological 
works which appeared most deserving of notice on the present 
occasion. 
The field of the science is so extensive, and its surface so varied, 
that we must take separately the salient points from which we can 
penetrate into its depths. Ido not allude to the divisions of the 
science according to the groups of animals or plants treated of; but 
in each department the attention of zoologists or botanists may be 
separately directed to general systems and classification, monographs, 
floras or faunas, descriptions of individual collections, animal and 
vegetable physiology, including homology of organs and comparative 
anatomy and biology—if that name may be applied to the history of 
animal and vegetable life—independently of organic chemistry, 
paleontology, practical zoology and botany, and other branches 
which only partially come within the limits assigned to us. 
Upon general systems and classification the few words I should 
have to say would be more in terms of deprecation than of en- 
couragement. The great groups into which animals and plants 
have been distributed have been gradually established and charac- 
terized by the combined genius and lifelong labours of the most 
eminent naturalists, and no modifications can be accepted until their 
effects shall have been tested in all their details. All these systems 
are no doubt susceptible of improvement, and the investigation of 
characters to be derived from organs hitherto neglected, either from 
their minuteness or from other causes, might be of great importance, 
and would always be a legitimate object of our researches. Well- 
digested series of observations on the position of the ovule, the direc-— 
