366 ON THE PROGRESS OF ANATOMY. 



embryos of all animals and plants." The exclusive culti- 

 vation of this department of the subject has within the last 

 few years fortunately become amalgamated with the general 

 science, and has given place to a much more general cultiva- 

 tion of an apparently more easy and therefore more attractive 

 pursuit, originating in the researches of Johannes Muller, Henle, 

 and Schwann, in co-operation with the vegetable anatomists 

 — the intimate structure of the different textures and fluids, as 

 revealed by the microscope and by chemical re-agents. The 

 appellation Histology has been applied by the Germans to 

 this subject, and there is no reason why the term should not 

 be transplanted into our British nomenclature as well as others 

 for which our language has not equivalent expressions. But 

 I must warn you, for there is absolute danger in its use, against 

 the term physiological anatomy now becoming fashionable. 

 There is nothing, I can assure you, gentlemen, which has more 

 retarded science and philosophy, and the kindred subjects on 

 which human reason has been employed, than the introduction 

 of terms with conventional meanings. Men come at last to 

 defend the terms, as if they were the truth, and to mistake 

 an artificial shadow for the substance required. The general 

 advance has been retarded by partial and trifling skirmishing 

 in the rear, instead of being pressed forward by an actual 

 attack on the enemy itself. Is the intimate anatomy of the 

 textures the only department of our science related to physio- 

 logy ? Is the anatomy of masses not as strictly physiological 

 as the structure of atoms ? And is it not at least injudicious 

 in those who may be able fully to appreciate the value of their 

 own terms to run the risk of leading others astray ? 



And here, gentlemen, I mast be allowed to add a few 

 words, first, in explanation of an apparent harshness which, 

 I suspect, may have crept into my observations on the pursuit 

 of anatomy by means of the microscope, partly to warn you 

 against the dangers which I dread. It would be strange if I, 



