Sir Henry TFentworth A eland,, Bart. 173 



indebted to him that of the President of the Society, the first 

 Sir Benjamin Brodie. His most important contribution to the Science 

 of which he was so successful an expositor was undoubtedly the 

 " Synopsis of the Physiological Series " in the Christ Church Museum, 

 in which he set forth in clear language the principles which had 

 guided him in its arrangement. 



Several friends who were Acland's pupils in the far-off days when he 

 was Christ Church Reader, have given the writer their impressions of 

 his lectures. They agree that his prelections were eminently suited to 

 awaken interest in biological science, and that the lecturer was not 

 only master of his subject, but was able to clothe in attractive 

 language anatomical details which, had they been less skilfully 

 handled, would have repelled his too fastidious auditors. 



The preceding paragraphs may serve to inform the reader as to the 

 work Acland accomplished as an academic teacher during the years 

 that he held the Readership of Anatomy. After this period he 

 devoted himself chiefly to the promotion of the general interests of 

 the University, and to the furtherance of innumerable works of public 

 utility both in the University and in the City. Although it was by 

 these efforts that he was best known to the world, the scope of the 

 present notice does not admit of more detailed reference to them. There 

 were, however, two or three directions in which Acland's exertions 

 contributed so materially to the advancement of science, that it will be 

 proper to advert to them more fully. 



For all but half a century (18511900) Acland held the University 

 office of Radcliffe Librarian, and discharged its duties with singular 

 ability and indefatigable industry. The Radcliffe Library contains, as 

 I dare say most readers are aware, works relating to Mathematics, 

 Physics, Chemistry, Biology (including Anthropology) and Geology. 

 Acland was largly instrumental in bringing about the removal of the 

 Library from the Camera Radcliffiana, which now forms part of the 

 Bodleian, to the Museum Building, where rooms specially adapted for 

 its reception had been prepared. The removal of the books afforded 

 to Acland the opportunity of carrying out the organisation ,pf the 

 Library in a satisfactory way, and brought its resources within easy 

 reach of persons engaged in the study of Natural Science whether as 

 teachers or as students. All Oxford workers are deeply indebted to 

 him for the exceptional advantages which the Library affords of ready 

 access to the literature of their subjects. 



Another way in which Acland contributed to the advancement of 

 Science was by his efforts for the improvement of Medical Education, 

 first as a Member and subsequently as President of the General Council 

 of Medical Education. On this subject, his successor in that important 

 office, Sir William Turner, has been good enough to set down some 



