TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 93 
No studies are better calculated to promote friendly intercourse. The investi- 
ean of God’s works is well fitted to calm unruly passions, and to promote 
umility and harmony. In speaking of the effects of the practical prosecution of 
botany, the late Dr. Johnston of Berwick remarks :—“ There is a preordained and 
beneficial influence of external nature over the constitution and mind of man. He 
who made nature all beauty to the eye implanted at the same time in His rational 
creatures an instinctive perception of that beauty, and has joined with it a pleasure 
and enjoyment that operate through life. We are all the better for our botanical 
walks when undertaken in the right spirit. They soothe, soften, or exhilarate. 
The landscape around us becomes our teacher, and from its lesson there is no 
escape: we are wooed to peace by the impress of nature’s beauty, and the very 
air we breathe becomes a source of gratification and pleasure.” Many a time, 
while carrying on botanical researches in the wide field of nature, and visiting 
the alpine districts of this and other lands, have I felt the force of these remarks. 
On the last occasion that I presided over Section D,—viz. at Liverpool in 1854, 
—I was associated with my late deeply lamented colleague, Edward Forbes, who 
was President of Section C; and on looking back to his career, I would hold him 
ap as a bright example of a true naturalist, who took a wide and expanded view of 
ature in all its departments, and at the same time exhibited such a genial spirit 
as endeared him to all. Once and again was I associated with him in scientific 
rambles and in meetings of naturalists, and I have seen the tact with which he 
subdued the perfervidum ingeniwm when misdirected, and calmed the turbulent 
spirit when self-esteem prevented the due acknowledgment of another’s merits. 
e was truly unselfish, and never failed to recognize and encourage merit wherever 
he could detect it. I have elsewhere remarked, that with all his knowledge he 
combined an affability, a modesty, a kindness which endeared him to every one. 
No student of nature was beneath his notice; no fact recorded by a pupil, however 
humble, was passed with neglect. He was ready at all times to bs questioned, 
and was prompt to point out any spark of merit in others, He had no jealousy, 
and never indulged in attacks upon others. He gave full credit to all, and he was 
more ready to see the bright than the dark spots in the character. Even to those 
who criticised him severely, he bore no ill-will: he certainly did not return railing 
for railing. He had a truly generous spirit, and was totally devoid of narrow 
bigotry. He was desirous of promoting science independent of all selfish views. 
e pred it for its own sake. Would that his example was more followed by all 
of us! 
When we look at the changes which are constantly taking place in the views ot 
naturalists as science advances, we cannot but feel the need of modesty in the 
statement of our opinions. While we give our views, and the reasons for adopting 
them, let this be done without dogmatism or asperity, ever remembering that our 
conclusions may be modified or altered by future discoveries, Such anticipations, 
however, should not paralyse our efforts. Science is fadvancing, facts are being 
accumulated, and year after year a noble structure is being reared on a sound founda- 
tion. It requires now and then a master-mind to bring out great generalizations, 
and to give a decided impetus to the work. Facts must be carefully weighed, and 
Imowledge must be accurate and extensive; otherwise a genius in science is apt 
to bring forward rash generalizations and to indulge in unfounded speculations. 
The imagination is disposed to run riot when a grand vista seems to open before 
it, and it flies on heedlessly to the terminus, without surveying the intermediate 
ground. We do not ignore speculation, but we recommend at the same time cau- 
tious induction—a sifting of facts, and of their relation to each other. 
Natural-history sciences are now assuming an important place in education. 
They are not confined as formerly to medical men, but they enter more or less into 
the preliminary studies of every one. While classics and mathematics ought to 
have an important place in our schools and colleges, natural history cannot now 
be neglected. Universities which formerly ignored it are now remedying their 
error in this respect, and we may ere long hope to find it occupying a still more 
important position in educational institutions. The possession of university 
honours is now connected to a certain degree with a knowledge of nature, and a 
Master of Arts as well-as a Doctor of Medicine is supposed to know something of 
