Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. 379 1 



harmony, and fitness, are far greater and more lasting than the vague impressions 

 derived from general views and brief glimpses of the aesthetic in nature. We accord- 

 ingly find that modern medical psychologists have been led to see that, in prescribing 

 for certain classes of their patients, it is of no small importance to advise something 

 more specific than a walk into the country, or a visit to some fine scenery, or a ramble 

 by the sea-side. They recommend the adoption of some particular department of 

 natural history as a field for research ; and, sending some to the mountains in search 

 of Alpine plants ; others to the woods to acquaint themselves with the habits of 

 beetles and spiders ; and yet others to the shores of the sea to gather and to observe 

 the infinite \ariety of its inhabitants — they have the satisfaction of seeing, not only a 

 restoration to health of body brought about, bnt great pleasure expressed in the dis- 

 covery of new and unfailing sources of happiness. In a remarkable work, lately 

 published by Dr. Feuchtersleben of Vienna, entitled ' The Dietetics of the Soul' (of 

 which an English translation has just appeared), this is brought out very fully. He 

 places the " contemplation of nature at the head of his system of mental dietetics," — 

 to use his own words ; that is to say, that he (one of the most experienced psycholo- 

 gists of the day) has discovered no better means for the preservation and restoration 

 of mental health than the study of natural history. And, doubtless, many physicians 

 hold by the same opinion. Such considerations may perhaps have some effect in 

 inducing you to take, if possible, a more intelligently active interest in the business 

 of this Society, seeing that through it we may not only benefit one another, but be 

 instrumental in doing much good to others. You are aware that we now enter upon 

 the eighty-second session of this Society. But so far as it represents the Chirurgico- 

 Medical Society, which existed four years prior to the institution of the Physical, we 

 are now about eighty-six years of age. Originally founded by students of medicine, 

 the Physical Society for a long time was composed chiefly of such. But the subjects 

 discussed were not merely medical — the whole range of physical science was embraced. 

 Not a few of the many eminent men who received their professional education at this 

 University were active members. It has been a remarkable feature in the history of 

 the Society, that it has received into its own membership several other Societies, which 

 became amalgamated with it. Besides the Chirurgico-Medical, already mentioned, the 

 American Physical was incorporated with it in 1795; the Hibernian Medical Society 

 in 1799: the Chemical Society in 1803; the Natural History Society in 1812; the 

 Didactic Society in 1813. Thus, you see, we have had many progenitors. Never- 

 theless (as is probably known to most of those present) in spite of these numerous 

 accessions of tributary streams, some years ago the main stream became almost dry. 

 A great drought there was, so that the channel was laid bare. It is now four years 

 since it was revived, chiefly through the exertions of Professor Fleming, in the hope 

 that it might be made a sufficiently attractive point of union for the working natu- 

 ralists of this city. And that hope has not been disappointed. Almost all who love 

 the study of nature are either with us, or friendly to our position; and the proceed- 

 ings of the last three or four sessions have been sufficient to prove the growing 

 interest felt in the object of our meetings. During last session, there were twenty- 

 seven papers and communications produced at the eight meetings ; and you are well 

 aware that some of these were of great interest and importance. Allow me, in 

 conclusion, to advert to the good examples of earnest diligence as naturalists, which 

 were set before us by those distinguished men who have been removed from amongst 

 us by death within the last year or two. I refer to the late Sir John Graham 



