2S6 GEOEGE JOHN EOMANES isl- 



and such constant attention, that it is practically im- 

 possible for individual workers to undertake them ; 

 and, therefore, as M. Giard observes, they have never 

 been undertaken. But if there were an Institut 

 transformiste to which material might be sent from 

 any part of the world, with directions as to its treat- 

 ment, biologists of all countries would be furnished 

 with an opportunity of experimentally testing any 

 ideas which might occur to them in regard to these 

 or kindred matters. 



Again, it seems needless to remark that England 

 ought to be regarded as the natural territory of an 

 establishment of this character ; that the establish- 

 ment itself should be situated in the vicinity of others 

 which are already devoted to the study of morphology 

 and physiology ; and that sufficient land should belong 

 to the Institut to admit of plots of ground being set 

 apart for researches on plants, as well as buildings 

 for the accommodation of animals. 



In order to satisfy all these conditions, the Institut 

 ought to be established either in Oxford or Cambridge ; 

 and at least, one skilled naturalist, one competent 

 gardener, and one trustworthy keeper ought to be 

 resident. This would involve an annual expenditure 

 of between 300Z. and 400?. But the capital sum 

 which would have to be sunk in the purchase of land 

 and the erection of buildings would not be consider- 

 able ; because, in the first instance, at all events, two 

 or three acres of ground would probably be sufficient ; 

 while the animal houses would be chiefly — if not ex- 

 clusively — required for the accommodation of small 

 mammalia, birds, insects, and aquatic organisms. 



