128 SUCCESS OF HIS TEACHING. 



science ; hence the good results attending his precept 

 and example. Previous to Goodsir's time in the 

 University, few medical students had formed a taste 

 for biological science beyond the requirements of phy- 

 siology to illustrate the theory and practice of their 

 art. He awakened a new feeling by making his ana- 

 tomical teachings broader and more comprehensive, by 

 a constant recurrence to comparative anatomy, and 

 so gave a direction zoological -wards to numerous 

 graduates of the University. A great change was 

 wrought in this respect; before the year 1850, 

 " Theses " on anatomical subjects were rare, if not ex- 

 ceptional, but after Goodsir's system of tuition came 

 into operation, they ranked with the more common 

 themes. His favourite pupils obtained either honorary 

 distinction, or the gold medals awarded by the 

 University for the best Theses; and many were no 

 doubt led by his encouragement to make a position in 

 the world of medicine. A few of his pupils imbibed 

 his natural-history feeling, and pursued zoology with 

 great enthusiasm. In proof of his success in imbu- 

 ing his pupils with that love of science that marked 

 his own career as teacher and museum conser- 

 vator, it may be noted that no less than four of his 

 young assistants obtained appointments in the Hun- 

 terian Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, 

 London — viz. Hallett, Lizars, Drummond, and Petti- 

 grew. Goodsir was in the habit of altering his sys- 

 tematic course of lectures each year. Unlike other 

 teachers, he could not go over the same ground two 



