VII THE STUDY OF ZOOLOGY 217 



afforded by the method of teaching anatomy, in 

 use in the medical schools. This method con- 

 sists of three elements lectures, demonstrations, 

 and examinations. 



The object of lectures is, in the first place, to 

 awaken the attention and excite the enthusiasm 

 of the student; and this, I am sure, may be 

 effected to a far greater extent by the oral dis- 

 course and by the personal influence of a respected 

 teacher than in any other way. Secondly, lectures 

 have the double use of guiding the student to 

 the salient points of a subject, and at the same 

 time forcing him to attend to the whole of it, and 

 not merely to that part which takes his fancy. 

 And lastly, lectures afford the student the oppor- 

 tunity of seeking explanations of those difficulties 

 which will, and indeed ought to, arise in the 

 course of his studies. 



What books shall I read ? is a question con- 

 stantly put by the student to the teacher. My 

 reply usually is, " None : write your notes out 

 carefully and fully ; strive to understand them 

 thoroughly; come to me for the explanation of 

 anything you cannot understand; and I would 

 rather you did not distract your mind by reading." 

 A properly composed course of lectures ought to 

 contain fully as much matter as a student can 

 assimilate in the time occupied by its delivery; 

 and the teacher should always recollect that his 

 business is to feed, and not to cram the intellect. 



