ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 409 
nature and causes of the diseases affecting the flocks and 
herds of the agriculturist, and thereby, while contributing to 
the support of one of the fundamental principles of the Royal 
Agricultural Society, to lend her not altogether unimportant 
aid in the conservation of an essential portion of the national 
wealth. The means which the Governors have given effect 
to, during the past year, have differed in no important par- 
ticular from those originally laid down for their guidance, and 
approved of by the Society. 
Lectures . — Under this head they would observe that an 
average number of four a w eek were delivered by the Professor 
of Cattle Pathology during the session commencing in October, 
1854, and ending in May, 1855 ; and that a similar course of 
lectures is now 7 being delivered, w hich will be brought to a 
close at the usual period. These lectures have for their exclu- 
sive object the inculcation of the principles of pathology, 
founded upon a knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of 
the ox, sheep, and pig, and they therefore embrace the nature 
and causes, as well as the preventive and curative treatment, 
of the several affections of these animals. These lectures 
have been regularly attended by all the pupils of the college. 
The Governors have also called the special attention of the 
class to their code of law 7 s, which provide that the students, 
before presenting themselves for examination for the diploma 
of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, shall pass a 
preliminary examination to the satisfaction of the Professor 
of each department of their studies. Provision is thus made, 
as the Council will perceive, for the more perfect education of 
the pupils in the several divisions of their studies, and from 
this much general good must result ; for the Governors would 
remark that very valuable assistance to the advancement of 
cattle pathology is given by the other Professors of the 
College, whose instructions are extended to the anatomy, 
physiology, and pathology of the horse — to chemistry, materia 
medica, and pharmacy. Since the last annual report to the 
Council, fifty students have entered at the College ; and as 
the time of their pupilage extends over two sessional years, 
an average number of eighty has been in daily attendance. 
Practice of the College . — Many interesting and instructive 
cases of diseases have been admitted, and each of these has 
been made available to the general information of the pupils. 
The Governors, however, would be glad to see a more uniform 
occupancy of the sheds and boxes w r hich they originally 
erected at considerable expense for the reception of cattle 
and sheep when the subjects of disease ; and they had hoped 
that after the pointed manner in which they drew 7 the atten- 
