120 
VISIT TO THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
is too much to suppose that those who take an interest in Botany are prepared to 
sit and listen for hours to the technical details of icthyologists, entomologists, 
ornithologists, &c. I would not say this has kept away botanists from the 
Association, but their absence at the last meeting ought to suggest the propriety 
of forming a section exclusively devoted to Botany. The importance of this 
science, the eminence of its cultivators, and the acknowledged deficiency of our 
country in this department of knowledge, demand this at the hands of the British 
Association. 
That Zoology can stand alone, was proved at the last meeting; and with the 
increasing disposition that exists for cultivating Comparative Anatomy, the papers 
at this section will probably prove increasingly numerous and important. That 
zoologists need the assistance of comparative anatomists is very evident from what 
took place at the last meeting, where a gentleman not unknown as a zoologist in 
this country contended that our systems of classification could not be improved by 
an increased knowledge of the internal structure of organic beings. 
From some observations that were made at the Natural History Section, it w r as 
proposed to form an Agricultural Section. At first sight the multiplication of 
sections may appear an evil, but it has been found to answer in previous cases, 
and it is to be hoped that one of the new regulations of the Committee will be 
acted on, and that 44 the sections will be divided whenever the number or variety 
of the subjects appear to render such a course expedient.” This, however, cannot 
be so effectual as the constitution of new sections. Mathematics and Physics 
were separated from Mechanics, and they have acted the better for it; the same 
might be hoped of Zoology and Botany; and if the cultivators of Political Economy 
can support a statistical section, there can be little doubt that we have scientific 
cultivators of the land who would do honour to an Agricultural Section. 
One of the most interesting circumstances that took place at the Natural 
History Section was the presence of Professor Ehrenberg, at the Thursday’s 
sitting. He exhibited to the meeting his great work on Infusoria , and gave in 
French a brief account of his inquiries in this obscure department of Nature. He 
is a short, thick-set man, with a large head, well developed in front, dark hair, 
and intelligent countenance. He was very communicative, but did not appear to 
comprehend the English language, 
There was but little time to visit the objects of interest in the town and 
neighbourhood. However, I found time to visit the Museum, and certainly was 
much pleased and surprised at it, as also at Mr. Grainger’s new buildings. 
There was an extensive collection of objects, which were arranged with remark¬ 
able order and skill, and quite free from the slovenly appearance that too often 
offends the eyes in museums. There is attached to it an excellent library, 
