tha 



462 Appendix. 



slightly lunette-shaped, and running into the pith, like those 

 described by Corda in his specimen, but in a less degree 



' .... It appears to me desirable for the present to limit the 

 genus Lepidodendron to the old type; and, therefore, I object to 

 Mr. Carruthers taking my small specimens as Lepidodendron, and 

 Professor Williamson taking my large as Diploxylon vasculare. 

 My names are only provisional, but I think it better that they 

 should remain until we know more of the fructification of the 

 plant.' 



Page 146. '. . . . In examining the structure of coal-measure 

 plants we labour under great difficulties, owing to the fragmentary 

 state of the specimens, and we have to collect evidence gradually 

 and with patience. It has never been my practice to pretend to 

 do much more than to collect the best specimens, and to carefully 

 describe them, in accordance with the advice of that great botanist, 

 the late Dr. Robert Brown, who more than once stated to me 

 that such was the course he should recommend, and which he 

 himself would adopt. To other more experienced botanists is 

 left the task of comparing the ancient with the modern flora.' 



It is therefore clear that Mr. Binney did not consider that he 

 had finished the subject ; and who can finish a subject? Other 

 men more experienced in vegetable morphology have taken it up, 

 and to them, and notably to Prof. W. C. Williamson, F.R.S., 

 the task of continuing the observations of Mr. Binney is left, and 

 in continuing we of course expect that improvement is part of 

 the labour. Prof. Williamson has on several occasions objected 

 to the views of Mr. Binney, who certainly did not pretend to a 

 great knowledge of botany and vegetable physiology. This was 

 not pleasant to Mr. Binney, but progress must be made, and 

 Prof. Williamson spoke in the true spirit of a friend as well as of 

 a scientific man. 



Mr. Binney's views on many subjects were opposed to those 

 of the community, and he never fully recognised the value of 

 careful training. He certainly preferred the work of the student 

 who was not trained academically. He was irritated by the 

 destruction of the Natural History Society and by the removal of 

 the. Geological Museum to the Owens College. He was afraid 

 ,t the Literary and Philosophical Society might be nullified in 



