matured HppeaL 
By G. Munro Smith, M.D. 
WHAT exactly is the impulse which induces people to study 
Natural History ? What is the relationship, if any, between 
this impulse and the so-called " Love of Nature," which is so 
prominent a feature in the writings of many of the great poets ? 
I must first endeavour to explain the meaning- of this enquiry. 
It is, of course, a common thing for people to study Natural 
History and to become very fond of it. It is also very usual 
for people to say they are fond of Natural History when they 
really care very little about it. In the same way, people nearly 
always say they are fond of literature, whereas it is obvious that 
in many cases they are absolutely indifferent to it. Some take 
to the study of Biology, or some branch of science, because they are 
born and bred in scientific surroundings ; they are induced by 
their parents and friends to follow in their footsteps. Others are 
of an enquiring mind, and take pleasure in investigation of all 
kinds, especially in that which requires minute examination or 
analysis, or which may help to unravel interesting problems. The 
passion for investigation is too strong in some to be satisfied by 
any ordinary occupation. We have all met children who have a 
perfect mania for asking difficult questions, and even for experi- 
mental attempts to solve them. It is stated that a small boy, 
deeply impressed with the story of Daniel in the lions' den, ascer- 
tained from one of his parents that it was because Daniel was so 
good that the lions did not eat him ; and having made sure, from 
further enquiries, that his little brother aged four years was one 
of the best boys that ever lived, he was found deliberately trying 
to get the aforesaid brother as near the bars of the lions' cage, 
at the Zoo, as possible, in order that he might test the statement 
that good people were not acceptable to the larger carnivora. 
Others find that of all their School or University studies, Natural 
History is rather more interesting than the rest, and " take it up," 
with neither love nor hatred, as a means of getting a living, or 
perhaps of making a name. Others are led to believe that the 
study of natural phenomena is the best form of mental culture. 
Huxley's Lay Sermons, for instance, must have induced thousands 
of men to educate their sons in the lines he so eloquently recom- 
mends. There is another large class which sees in Nature a great 
and solemn beauty ; they do not care for dissection of animals or 
plants ; they are not fond of classification or naming ; but they 
delight in Nature because of her beauty. Many of these are 
influenced also by a poetic temperament, and weave into what 
they see or hear the thoughts of the poets who have, to them, 
made Nature still more lovely. But it is not of any of these, or 
only to some extent of the last kind, that I wish to speak to-night. 
I think you will agree with me that there is another large class 
of what one may call born naturalists or nature-lovers, who take 
