2 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
already been given by Fellows of the Society, more competent 
for the duty than myself. It has occurred to me that a brief 
notice of two Edinburgh Natural History Societies, which have 
now ceased to exist, and more particularly of the Wernerian 
Society, might not be altogether uninteresting. 
Natural History studies are peculiarly fitted to call forth 
the principles of association. There is something connected 
with the prosecution of them which draws students together, 
and which binds them by ties of no ordinary kind. The study 
of the Rocks and Minerals, Plants and Animals, of our globe 
naturally leads to extended wanderings over mountain and 
plain, by river side or ocean shore, during which the com- 
panionship of friends becomes especially valuable and cheer- 
ing. There is a sociality in such pursuits which insensibly 
unites men in scientific brotherhood. Those v/ho have joined 
in natural history excursions know well the fascination of such 
rambles, and look back with pleasure to the friendships thus 
formed. The collections made become also bonds of union. 
For every naturalist knows the importance of the interchange of 
specimens. The system of exchange has led to the formation 
of many associations. It was this w^hich in a great measure 
led to the institution of the Botanical Society of this city. 
Edinburgh has been long celebrated for its Natural History 
Societies. The situation of our city, the rich fauna and flora 
of its neighbourhood, its instructive geological and mineralo- 
gical features, have rendered it one of the places best fitted for 
the prosecution of natural science in its practical details. The 
student has ample opportunities of pursuing science in all its 
departments. Our museums and gardens also supply a valu- 
able means of acquiring information. Thus it is, that as a 
school of natural science, there is scarcely any city which pos- 
sesses greater advantages. It might have been expected, 
therefore, that scientific societies would spring up among us. . 
, The Physical Society was among the earliest established, and 
it speedily acquired great eminence from the activity and zeal 
of its members. It embraced the whole range of science, both 
natural and physical, and it especially called forth the energies 
(jf young men who were zealously cultivating science within 
the walls of our University. It has had its reverses no doubt. 
