150 The late Professor Edward Forbes's 



be made at the same time one of the best scientific lessons. 

 The Queen's Park is a museum of British zoology in itself, 

 and one of the finest natural geological models in the world. 

 The shores of the Frith of Forth are strewn with interesting 

 specimens of marine animals. The very ditches of the mea- 

 dows, almost within the town, abound in curious freshwater 

 creatures, every one a study in itself. To strolls in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Edinburgh, whilst a student in the University, I 

 am indebted for much knowledge that has proved to me a 

 never-ceasing pleasure and a benefit in after years. 



Do not neglect the museum. It may not be all we could 

 wish, but it is more than enough for supplying the materials 

 of study during the time you can give to it. It has been 

 said of hospitals, that their capacities for instruction are not 

 always in proportion to their vastness, and their number of 

 beds is not of so much consequence as variety and interest of 

 cases. So with museums ; it is not mere extent and great 

 accumulations of specimens that render them available for 

 purposes of study, but rather the systematic illustration of the 

 leading types of the several kingdoms of nature. This is the 

 purpose which we shall keep in view in getting our museum 

 here into order, a task that will take some time, but which, 

 nevertheless, is, I trust, advancing. Now, from the types of 

 animal and mineral forms exposed in its rooms and cabinets, 

 you ought to be able to acquire a fair fundamental notion of 

 the science we are met to cultivate. How best to make use 

 of the collection I will explain in another lecture. 



The main purpose of your assembling in this class-room is 

 the acquiring a knowledge of the principles of natural history, 

 of the leading facts of zoology and geology, and of the way 

 to go to work in pursuing the practice of these sciences. 

 Within these limits the method of instruction by lectures is 

 well adapted for conveying the requisite information, and 

 forming a basis for more detailed studies in the cabinet and 

 the open air. Moreover, you will thus be guided in the course 

 of study which can only be pursued in your chambers. Study, 

 when desultory and unguided, is rarely beneficial, although 

 better than none at all. When properly and systematically 

 conducted, the study of natural history invigorates the mind, 



