278 The Highest Education and its Difficulties. [May, 
Moderations, which will occupy him to the end of his first 
year. After this he is required to pass an examination in 
physics and chemistry, in which a practical knowledge is 
demanded. Few can acquire this knowledge without work- 
ing for two terms in the laboratory. The student, therefore, 
who intends offering himself for examination for honours in 
Biology has only two years and two terms remaining ! 
Whether these requirements are judicious is not here the 
question. So long as they are upheld by the authorities of 
the University it is obviously the duty of examiners to draw 
up their papers accordingly. Surely it is unfair to expedt young 
men, after so brief a study of so vast and complicated a subjedt, 
to deal with such questions as the following: — “ Examine 
critically the statement that there is less difference between 
the structure of man and that of the anthropoid apes 
than there is between that of one of an anthropoid ape and 
the lowest existing simfse.” “ Discuss the affinities of the 
Characese to the Red Sea-weeds.” Give an account of the 
phenomena to which the term 4 Reflex Adtion’ was applied 
by the Physiologist who first used it. What explanations 
had been previously given of the same phenomena ? In 
what respedts has the application of the term been extended 
by writers of authority during the last twenty or thirty 
years ? In what sense is it now most frequently used ? 
Could any other, in your judgment, be conveniently substi- 
tuted for it ?” 
“ Comment on the following passages from Harvey’s 
second letter to Riolan (passages quoted), in which he states 
his opinion as to the way in which the right auricle of the 
heart fills with blood. Give an historical account of the 
steps by which the knowledge we at present possess on this 
subjedt has been acquired.” “ What are the various types of 
structure observed in secreting-cells ? Give examples and 
diagrams.” “ What are the microscopic charadters of the 
contradtile tissues of the higher plants?” 
“ Give some account of the earliest researches in anatomy 
carried on within the University of Oxford.” “ Trace from 
its earliest discovery the influence of the microscope, simple 
and compound, upon the progress of biological science.” 
“ Write essays on any two of the following subjedts * * 
* * The reciprocal adaptation of plants and insedts. 
Putrefadtion and other fermentative processes in relation to 
Badteria. Segmentation or the repetition of similar parts in 
plants and animals. The definition of life.” 
We may surely say, that to do full justice to some of these 
questions and subjedts, special original research is needed ; 
