220 On the Study of Biology. [ April, 
the broad facts of human structure, such as hearts, lungs, and 
livers. Such viscera as they cannot very well examine in them- 
selves may be obtained from the nearest butcher’s shop. In re- 
spect to teaching them something about the biology of plants, 
there is no practical difficulty, because almost any of the common 
plants will do, and plants do not make a mess, — at least they do 
not make an unpleasant mess; so that, in my judgment, the best 
form of biology for teaching to very young people is elementary 
human physiology on the one hand, and the elements of botany 
on the other; beyond that I do not think it will be feasible to 
advance for some time to come. But then I see no reason why 
in secondary schools, and in the science classes, which are under 
the control of the science and art department — and which, I may 
say, in passing, have, in my judgment, done so very much for 
the diffusion of a knowledge over the country —I think that, in 
those cases, we may go further, and we may hope to see instruc- 
tion in the elements of biology carried out, not, perhaps, to the 
same extent, but still upon somewhat the same principle, as we 
do here. There is no difficulty, when you have to deal with stu- 
dents of the ages of fifteen or sixteen, in practicing a little dissec- 
tion and getting a notion, at any rate, of the four or five great 
modifications of the animal form, and the like is true in regard 
to plants. 
While, lastly, to all those who are studying biological science 
with a view to their own edification, or with the intention of be- 
coming zoélogists or botanists ; to all those who intend to pursue 
physiology — and especially to those who propose to employ the 
working years of their lives in the practice of medicine — I ei 
that there is no training so fitted, or which may be of such 1m- 
portant service to them, as the thorough discipline in practical 
biological work which I have sketched out as being pursued in 
the laboratory hard by. ` 
I may add that, beyond all these different classes of persons 
who may profit by the study of biology, there is yet one other. 
I remember, a number of years ago, that a gentleman who was a 
vehement opponent of Mr. Darwin’s views, and had written some 
terrible articles against them, applied to me to know what was 
the best way in which he could acquaint himself with the strong- 
est arguments in favor of evolution. I wrote back in all good 
faith and simplicity, recommending him to go through a course 
of comparative anatomy and physiology, and then to study de- 
velopment. I am sorry to say he was very much displeased, as 
