74) iiEPORT — 1867. 



BIOLOGY. 



Address by the President, Professor "William Shaepet, M.D., 

 8ec. B.S., F.B.S.E. 



I NEED scarcely remind you that Biology, or the science of the living economy, 

 in its widest sense comprehends whatever relates to the organization, functions, 

 and mode of life of living beings, whether plants or animals, as well as their 

 natural history, that is, their distinctive characters, mutual affinities, systematic 

 classification, and distribution. On accoimt of the extent and variety of the sub- 

 jects which come under these heads, the Section of Biology in the British Asso- 

 ciation has been divided on this as on former occasions into depaitments, which 

 have been determined, not with a view to logical symmetry of arrangement, but 

 for the convenient transaction of business. The department of Anatomy and 

 Physiology, over which I have undertaken more immediately to preside, will 

 include the structure and functions of man and animals ; that of Zoology and 

 Botany comprehends the natural history of animals and plants, and will be pre- 

 sided over by Mr. Busk. 



Om- special science has fully shared in the general advance of human know- 

 ledge, which goes onward from year to year with steady progress. The area of 

 ascertained truth is continually widening; the line of contiguity between the 

 known and the unknown is perpetually extending ; hence more ample room and 

 multiplied opportunity for passing the frontier and gaining fresh acquisitions in 

 the unexplored region'^beyond. It has been said that in some fields of science the 

 harvest has been already reaped, and that those who now come after the great 

 discoverers of older times are but the gleaners of what they have left behind. To 

 this opinion I feel sure you will not assent. We, of course, cannot gauge the 

 absolute amount of work remaining to be done in any sphere of mental activity ; 

 but, viewed in relation to man's power of research, the unexplored ground in every 

 field of scientific inquiry may be deemed practically inexhaustible. The increasing 

 nmuber of cultivators and the mutual aid which dift'erent branches of science lend 

 to each other must naturally quicken the rate of advance. Discoveries in one 

 department speedily find application in other directions, and contribute to onward 

 progress. One step made in advance renders another possible, and the way is thus 

 prepared even for those more conspicuous achievements, in discovery of fact or 

 invention of theory, which at rarer intervals command our admiration. In short, 

 wdth means of free intercommunication and durable record, the advance of natm-al 

 knowledge, although not equable and uniform, becomes unbroken and continuous. 

 In adverting for a'few moments to the present state of anatomy and physiology, 

 we cannot fail to be impressed by the general prevalence of improved methods of 

 investigation, and the general use of insti-umeutal and other appliances of gi-eater 

 power or greater precision in scrutinizing the intimate structure of the body, and 

 in observing, estimating, and recording physiological phenomena. We see further 

 marks of advance in the increasing application of the other sciences, especially 

 chemistry and physics, to the elucidation of the living economy, and in the readi- 

 ness with which new discoveries in these sciences are taken advantage of for the 

 prosecution of anatomical and physiological research. Through these meansmore 

 extended and more precise data 'are obtained for the discovery or recognition of 

 prevailing laws and the construction of rational theory ; and physiology is ac- 

 quiring niore and more the character of an exact study. It is now two centuries 

 since the microscope was first used in anatomical and phj'siological inquiries, and 

 yet I can remember the time when its use might have been considered exceptional 

 — when, at any rate, it was confined to a very few hands; but now it might 

 almost be said that no physiologist or natm-alist is without one. Great improve- 

 ments are continually being made in the potency, precision, and convenient appli- 

 cation of the instrument ; and signal advantage has been gained from the use of 

 appropriate reagents for facilitating microscopical investigation. We need not 

 look abroad for examples ; some of the most important ii-uits of recent micro- 

 scopical inquiry are due to the zeal and sagacity ot our own coimtrymeu. I need 

 refer ;ouly to the discoveries concerning the intimate structure of the nervous 

 system ; and, without invidious selection, I may more especially signalize the well- 



