TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. ,115 



inous with physiology in the sense in which that word has been for a long time 

 employed, and therefore designating the science of life, rather than the description 

 of the living beings in which it is manifested. But until a better or more compre- 

 hensive term be found, we may accept that of biology under the general definition 

 of " the science of life and of living beings," or as compi-ehending the history of the 

 whole range of organic natui-e — vegetable as well as animal. The propriety of the 

 adoption of such a general term is further shown by a glance at the changes which 

 the titles and distribution of tlie subordinate departments of this Section have imder- 

 gone during the period of the existence of the Association. 



During the first four years of this period the Section met under the combined 

 designation of Zoology and Botany, Physiology and Anatomy — words sufficiently 

 clearly indicating the scope of its subjects of investigation. In the next ten years 

 a connexion with Medicine was recognized by the establishment of a subsection 

 or department of Medical Science, in which, however, scientific anatomy and phy- 

 siology formed the most prominent topics, though not to the exclusion of more 

 strictly medical and surgical or professional subjects. During the next decade, or 

 from the year 1845 to 1854, we find along with Zoology and Botany a subsection 

 of Phj'siology, and in several years of the same time along with the latter a separate 

 department of Ethnology. In the eleven years which extended from 1855 to 18G5, 

 the branch of Ethnology was associated with Geograpliy in Section E. More re- 

 cently, or since the an-angement which was commenced in 1866, the Section 

 Biology has included, with some slight variation, the whole of its subjects in three 

 departments. Under one of these are brought all investigations in Anatomy and 

 Physiology of a general kind, thus embracing the whole range of these sciences 

 when without special application. A second of these departments has been occu- 

 pied with the extensive subjects of Botany and Zoology ; while the third has been 

 devoted to tlie subject of Anthropology, in which all researches having a special 

 reference to the structure and functions or life-history of man have been received 

 and discussed. Such I understand to be the arrangement under which we shall 

 meet on this occasion. At the conclusion of my remarks, therefore, the depart- 

 ment of Anatomy and Physiology will remain with me in this room ; while that 

 of Zoology and Botany, on the one hand, and of Anthropology on the other, will 

 adjourn to the apartments which have been provided for them respectively. 



With regard to the position of Anthropology, as including Ethnology, and com- 

 prehending the whole natural history of man, there may be still some differences 

 of opinion, according to the point of view from which its phenomena are regarded : 

 as by some they may be viewed chief!}' in relation to the bodily structiu'e and func- 

 tions of individuals or numbers of men ; or as by others they may be considered 

 more directly with reference to their national character and history, and the affini- 

 ties of languages and customs ; or by a third set of inquirers, as bearing more im- 

 mediately upon the origin of man and his relation to animals. As the first and 

 third of these sets of topics entirely belong to Biology, and as those parts of the 

 second set which do not properly fall under that branch may with propriety find a 

 place under Geogi-aphy or Statistics, I feel inclined to adhere to the distinct recog- 

 nition of a department of Anthropology, in its present form ; and I think that the 

 suitableness of this arrangement is apparent, from the nature and number of the 

 appropriate reports and communications which have been received under the last 

 di.stribution of the subjects. 



The beneficial influence of the British Association in promoting biological re- 

 search is shown by the fact that the number of the communications to the Sections, 

 received annually has been nearly doubled in the course of the last twenty years. 

 And this influence has doubtless been materially assisted by the contributions in 

 money made by the Association in aid of various biological investigations; for it 

 appears that, out of the whole sum of nearly £34,600 contributed by the Associa- 

 tion to the promotion of scientific research, about £2800 has been devoted to biolo- 

 gical purposes, to which it would be fair to add a part at least of the grants for 

 Palosontological researches, many of which must be acknowledged to stand in close 

 relation to Biology. 



The enormous extent of knowledge and research in the various departments of 

 Biology has become a serious impediment to its more complete study, and leads to 



8* 



