Intermediate Lectures. 91 



vertebra being fully ^lescribed. The head of a sheep was dissected, 

 and as the brain was being removed the names of its various parts 

 were given, as well as of the nerves proceeding from it. It was 

 afterwards compared with a human brain, which was preserved in 

 spirits, and also with those of the horse and monkey. The nearest 

 approach to the human brain, he said, was certainly that of the 

 monkey, and he added that there is more difference between the 

 brain of the cat and the monkey than between the monkey's and 

 man's. After considering the substance of the brain structure, and 

 offering some observations on mind and matter, Dr Grierson 

 brought his highly instructive lecture to a close by remarking 

 " that although much had been learned there remained a vast deal 

 yet to be known respecting the brain and the nervous system, and 

 in preference to much of the theory of the moderns, lie was dis- 

 posed to accept many of the sjieculations of the philosophers of 

 former times." 



\&th March, 1883. 



Dr Gilchrist, President, in the Chair. Forty-three present. 



Mr J. Wilson delivered an instructive lecture on " A Cup of 

 Tea." The lecturer, after giving an interesting sketch of the 

 history of tea, from its introduction into the Celestial Empire in 

 the fifth centuiy to the present time, described its botanical 

 characteristics and the modes adopted in picking and ])reparing 

 the different teas of conmierce. He went fully into the chemical 

 properties of tea, describing the effects produced by the con- 

 stituents on the system, and also the various adulterants which 

 were formerly mixed with the leaves. Having considered the 

 different ingredients in " the cujj of tea," he showed how to make 

 it to the best advantage, and concluded by saying that when 

 properly made it was an agreeable and stimulating beverage; but 

 if taken in excess, at irregular intervals, or without sufficient food, 

 it produced deleterious effects. The lecture was illustrated by 

 samples of the different kinds of tea, microscopical drawings of 

 various leaves, and numerous chemical experiments, showing the 

 properties of the respective constituents. 



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