PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
487 
observers.” Would Mr. Lees or any other botanist recommend a student in 
Chemistry to begin by studying the physica subterranea of Becher and Stahl, 
or would he recommend him to commence Zoology by reading Aristotle and 
Pliny. Would he not much rather put into his hand the chemical treatises 
of Turner and Thomson, and the zoological works of Cuvier and Grant ? If, 
then, he would adopt such a plan in one science, wjiere is the reason for acting 
differently in Botany ? 
Let not, however, Mr. Lees suppose that because he is the advocate of the 
Linnsean system, I cannot admire the enthusiasm and elevated feeling he throws 
into his pursuit of science, or that I would wish in the least manner to depreciate 
or prejudice exertions like his. I feel, in common with him, an anxious wish to 
extend widely an increased desire for a knowledge of the various branches of 
Natural History, and feel pleasure in being a fellow-labourer in the same field 
with such a man as himself; and if I have differed from him in the point under 
discussion, it has been very far from my wish either to treat him 44 uncourteously,” 
or in the remarks I have made to act the part of a 44 flaming partizan.” He 
must also remember that, in this case, I was not the aggressor; and although he 
might not in his communication (p. 68) have had any intention of provoking 
discussion, yet I should certainly have passed over his letter uncommented on, 
had he not made a direct attack on an incidental expression of my own. 
I remain, 
Yours very sincerely, 
Campsall , near Doncaster, Edwin Lankester. 
July 28, 1838. 
PROCEEDINGS OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
LIVERPOOL NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 
July 13.—Mr. T. B. Hall read a short paper on the natural system of Botany, 
accompanied by some interesting remarks on the geographical distribution of 
British plants, principally in reference to an intended Flora of the neighbourhood 
of Liverpool, which Mr. Hall is about to publish (see p. 395). The paper was 
illustrated by some excellent drawings and synoptical tables of the different 
natural systems, which were supplied through the kindness of Dr. Dickinson. 
The Society then took into consideration the interesting geological discovery 
lately made at Storton-hill. The following is an abstract of the information 
elicited during the discussion :— 
3 s 2 
