156 
BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE. 
tions can exceed in interest those of the botanist, who, when in turning over 
his collections in future years, and referring to a specimen, the sight immediately 
recalls to him the time and place in which it was collected, the friend who then 
accompanied him, probably the very subjects upon which they were conversing 
when that specimen was collected ? and his thoughts will then especially wander 
to that friend, his many good qualities, the agreeable hours spent in his com¬ 
pany ; in fact, everything of interest relating to him will pass in succession 
through his memory. What friendships can exceed those thus formed by kin- 
clred spirits ? And thus we find that the friendships of naturalists generally 
last throughout life. 
The pursuit of botany being thus shown to be most agreeable and healthful, 
it can but be of essential value to those who, whether in the decline of life, or 
when the powers of the mind and the body have been overworked by a too 
laborious professional life, require an entire relaxation. There is no one that 
can appreciate its importance as a healthful recreation more than myself, for I 
originally commenced the study of botany as a recreation and for the pursuit 
of health, when both my bodily and mental powers had been weakened by a 
too laborious application to in-door pursuits. By its study I was led into the 
fields, where I speedily regained my health, and, at the same time, formed asso¬ 
ciations and friendships, some of which have lasted ever since, and to which I 
look back as among the brightest in my iife. 
The study of botany being thus eminently calculated to prove an agreeable 
and healthful recreation to the pharmaceutist, I cannot but urge upon the young 
student of pharmacy the importance of its study during his pupilage, in order 
that he may then acquire that knowledge of its details and technicalities, which 
will enable him hereafter to pursue and enjoy it as a recreation. 
Independently of the value of botany as a healthful and agreeable recreation, 
there is an innate gratification, a peculiar pleasure, which all men with pro¬ 
perly regulated minds must feel when contemplating and studying the most 
beautiful of God’s works, for “ even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed 
like one of these.” Perhaps there is no study that is better adapted than that 
of botany for such a purpose ; for the objects of which it treats are constantly 
before us, and their study is, therefore, within the reach of all. We can con¬ 
template their beauty ; study their structure ; investigate the laws by which 
they are enabled to live, grow, and propagate themselves; see how admirably 
adapted they are to meet the varying conditions under which they are placed ; 
and learn the mutual interchanges which take place between them and the in¬ 
organic world on the one hand, and the animal creation on the other. None 
but those of the most depraved minds could derive anything from such a study 
as this but that which was pure and lovely. 
And, lastly, while thus dwelling upon the advantages and pleasures to be de¬ 
rived from the study of botany, I must not forget to say a few words as to its 
influence in purifying the faculties of the mind, and elevating our thoughts, 
from the evidences of design thus brought before us, to Him who designed them 
all. When we regard any beautiful object or clever design of human origin, 
do not our thoughts commonly wander from the object to the designer, whom 
we shall hereafter think of, as one to be admired and honoured ? And if such 
be our thoughts in thus contemplating the works of man, how much more will 
it be the case if those works are of Divine origin ! Thus, when we see a plant 
with its wonderful structure and exquisite beauty, learn how admirably it is 
adapted to the conditions under which it is placed, and the influence it exerts in 
creation, what man is there, with a properly regulated mind, but must 
rise from such a study with a feeling of reverence for Him who designed it? 
and he will naturally be induced to ask, whether He, who thus formed the 
plants of the fields, and enabled them to perform such an important part in the 
