The Meeting of the British Association. 
•73 
quently give careful text-book descriptions of what ought to be 
seen in objects given them to describe, instead of finding out what 
can be seen by actual examination. 
We are inclined to think that a student who has been through 
elementary courses in four scientific subjects, and attained a high 
standard in the final examinations, might well be granted an ordi- 
ary science degree without more ado. The present pass degree 
examinations at the University of London have the double fault 
of putting too great a strain on the memory by covering too wide a 
field of detailed knowledge, and at the same time of allowing the 
candidate to pass on a ridiculously low percentage of marks—a 
direct incentive at once to cramming and to slovenly work. If the 
field were restricted to what would naturally be taught in four 
courses such as we have indicated, and the candidates examined by 
their teachers at the end of each course, a high pass standard 
being insisted upon, a certain breadth of training would be secured, 
and excessive mental strain, with its educationally vicious results, 
entirely avoided. 
With advanced botanical teaching and its relation to research 
we will deal in another article. 
THE MEETING OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
Y general consent the recent meeting of the British Association 
at Belfast, was not marked by features of very striking 
interest, and Section K shared to some extent in the general 
though the average of excellence was well maintained, none of 
mediocrity. There was a plentiful supply of papers, but 
these announced discoveries of very unusual interest. The entire 
absence of distinguished foreign botanists also robbed the meeting 
of an attraction which members of the section have rather come to 
expect. The local arrangements were, however, very good, and the 
local Secretary, the Rev. C. H. Waddell, did everything possible for 
the comfort and convenience of members. 
The actual meetings of the Section passed off very smoothly, 
without any hitch, and were singularly, perhaps undesirably, free 
from any trace of animated discussion. The arrangement of papers 
as announced in the “ Journal ” was very closely adhered to. At the 
suggestion of the President the experiment of meeting only in the 
