Introductory Lecture- \hl 



same view I most strenuously contend. It was the doctrine 

 held and practised by Linnaeus, by Cuvier, by Blainville, by 

 Brongniart ; and at the present day by such men as Owen, Dar- 

 win, and Falconer, all formerly Edinburgh students ; by Agas- 

 siz, Loven, Phillippi, and Dana. A philosophy of natural his- 

 tory can only spring out of this combination, and can never be 

 evolved from the exclusive study of isolated sections. I hold 

 that the student should begin by taking broad and compre- 

 hensive views of the general bearings of the science ; and when 

 afterwards, as he must if he is to master it well, he engages 

 in monographic researches, then he will reap the benefit of 

 having laid a foundation of good, sound, general principles. 



The day will come when, ere we attempt a complete descrip- 

 tion and precise definition of any one species of animal or 

 plant, we must first have worked out not only external varia- 

 tions and internal structure, but also the whole history of its 

 distribution in geological time and geographical space. 



I am aware that these views are not invariably assented to 

 by the naturalists of the present day, although in favour of 

 them the opinions of the ablest may be cited. I trust to you, 

 gentlemen, for the evidence of their correctness. To the fu- 

 ture career of many of you I look forward with hope and con- 

 fidence. I have had a guarantee of it in the ability and ear- 

 nestness displayed by many of the students of this class dur- 

 ing the past summer. Whatever I can do I will do, and hope 

 you will come to me freely for advice and assistance. We 

 have fine subjects for study ; let us go to work earnestly and 

 diligently, and we shall be sure to gain much good scientific 

 knowledge before the winter shall have passed away. 



