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THE VACANT CHAIRS AT THE EDINBURGH COLLEGE. 
It would appear that for the future vacant professional 
chairs at the Edinburgh Veterinary College are only to be 
fdled by successful candidates at a competitive examination, 
as we learn that at a recent meeting of the Edinburgh 
Town Council, acting as trustees of the late Professor Dick, 
the following gentlemen were nominated as examiners of 
the candidates for the Chairs of Anatomy and Cattle 
Pathology now vacant at the Veterinary College, viz., 
Mr. Turner, Professor of Anatomy in the Edinburgh Uni- 
versity; Dr. Dumbreck, one of the Examiners in that 
University; Mr. Robertson, M.R.C.V.S., Kelso, an Ex- 
aminer for the Royal College .of Veterinary Surgeons, and 
Mr. Williams, Principal of the Edinburgh Veterinary 
College. 
We believe that this arrangement has been adopted, not 
only with a view to ensure the selection of competent 
teachers; but as a guarantee that such selection will be made 
solely on the ground of merit, and without any reference 
whatever to party or personal interest or feeling. 
Extracts from British and Foreign Journals. 
THE DISTRIBUTION OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 
Mr. J. E. Taylor, F.G.S., Secretary of the Norwich 
Geological Society, recently delivered a lecture on “ The 
Geographical Distribution of Animals and Plants,” from 
which we make the following extract : 
“ Mr. Taylor said that the philosophical naturalist found it 
impossible wholly to separate the past from the present. 
Geology has now established itself as one of the positive 
sciences. It had been removed from the regions of pure 
speculation into those of practical, matter-of-fact, and every- 
day application. Nevertheless, it had lost none of its romance. 
