183 
of Edinburgh, Session 1867-68. 
In most of our provincial towns there is a museum of natural 
history and antiquities, which would be a valuable auxiliary in 
teaching natural science in the neighbouring schools. But even 
where no such collection exists, a small museum might be estab- 
lished in the humblest of them. Within their own narrow sphere 
objects of natural history might be obtained, and many a private 
collection in the district would surrender a tithe of its speci- 
mens for the public use. Our Industrial Museum, too, might 
distribute a portion of its overflowing collections, and even the 
British Museum might contribute some of its innumerable dupli- 
cates, and bring into use its accumulated and unproductive 
treasures. Itinerant museums, like the itinerant libraries, might be 
chartered in the same cause, and might sell or exchange the dupli- 
cates which are found in different localities. 
By these means our school museums might obtain specimens of 
the more important rocks which form the carpentry of the globe, — 
of the metallic ores, and the metals themselves, which are in daily 
use, — of the more precious minerals which are employed for the 
purposes of art or ornament, — and thus give to the youthful student 
some knowledge of the world on which he resides, and of the 
elements of civilisation which it embosoms. 
In the departments of Zoology and Botany we cannot expect to 
collect specimens for our schools, but our travelling menageries, 
and the museums and botanic gardens of our principal towns, would 
supply, to a great extent, the means of instruction. But even 
when these are beyond our reach, photography, and the stereo- 
scope which gives relief to its pictures, might be advantageously 
employed. The photographic process will give us accurate repre- 
sentations of those objects, both of nature and of art, which it 
would be desirable to describe and to explain in the instruction of 
youth. In the department of zoology, the picture might be often 
taken from the living animal, standing before the camera in 
vigorous life and transcendent beauty; or when this cannot be done, 
from the fine specimens of zoological forms which adorn our metro- 
politan and provincial museums. With equal accuracy might be 
represented the osteology and integuments of animals, — the frame- 
work which protects life, and to which life gives activity and 
power. 
