60 Editors’ Table. [Jan. 
cut-and-dried classification. This is true not only of most West- 
ern institutions, but of many in the East as well. It was in 
one of the latter that the students of zoology were treated to 
three solid months of worms, while, for aught the professor 
said, they were left in absolute ignorance of the existence of the 
groups of protozoa and vertebrates. Too frequently ministers 
and lawyers are installed as professors of natural history. 
Neither have had the training necessary to fit them for the posi- 
tion, but they are graduates of the college, and must be taken 
care of. Those in authority do not seem to realize that the pro- 
fessional studies of a clergyman, instead of fitting one for a stu- 
dent of nature, are a positive hindrance. The whole theological 
training lies in the lines of faith and revererce for authority, 
while science demands of its devotees, if not a sceptical spirit, 
one of complete independence. One cannot rely upon any 
statement solely on the grounds that it is advanced by a Cuvier 
or an Agassiz. Science has no infallible gospel wherewith to 
settle all disputes except that presented by the book of nature, 
and how difficult this is of interpretation only the original in- 
vestigator knows. The lawyer or the clergyman, when he enters 
the field of science, brings his traditions and his old methods of 
thought with him. He looks for the written accounts as he 
formerly turned to his Bible or his “ Blackstone,” and when he 
finds any statement in print, he pins his faith to it as unquestion- _ 
ably as he did to the other authorities in the days of yore. 
Were this selection of incompetent instructors a matter of 
necessity it would not speak well for American science; but it 
is not. We have in our country an abundance of able students, 
but, strange to say, it is the exception, rather than the rule, to 
find our best workers occupying professors’ chairs. This results 
not from any disinclination for teaching on the part of these stu- 
dents, but from the stupidity of our college officers, who, if 
ered the choice between excellence and mediocrity, almost 
invariably choose the latter. 
When the Society of American Naturalists was formed, one of 
the objects proposed was a reform in this respect; but so far 
nothing has been accomplished in this direction. How to pro- 
ceed in changing this state of affairs may be a question, but it is 
to be hoped that in the early future some steps may be taken 
oe. SS er ee and in- 
