846 
PRACTICAL VETERINARY SCIENCE. 
relative value varies considerably, and hence, when they have 
to be paid for, an analysis would appear to he advisable. 
From these remarks it will he seen that we have here an 
abundant source of dietetic and medicinal matters, so much 
that it seems more than probable that both the human and 
veterinary schools of medicine might profit by a more ex¬ 
tended examination of these curious, interesting, and ever 
present marine plants. 
[To he continued^ 
PRACTICAL VETERINARY SCIENCE. 
By A ‘^Working Practitioner.^-’ 
[Continuedfromp. 723.) 
Meditating upon the efficiency of the individuals who at 
present represent the veterinary profession, I may imagine 
that I am standing upon a watchtower, looking down upon 
a large number of persons engaged in a particular employ¬ 
ment. Some of them, I perceive, perform their work with 
dexterity and ease; while the work itself, both in its sub¬ 
stantiality and high degree of finish, bears evidence of a 
practical and skilled workman. Others, I perceive, perform 
their work awkwardly and inaptly, while their work is de¬ 
fective, imperfect, and mutilated, denoting inexperience and 
lack of skill. Is it not self-evident that it is a matter of great 
and weighty importance that every individual should be so 
trained as to belong only to the first class ? It is to effect 
such a consummation that this inquiry has been instituted, 
and these pages written. 
We are brought, therefore, to consider in the next place 
the benefits to be derived from the teaching; as well as the 
importance of the knowledge acquired at the veterinary col¬ 
leges, and also the period of attendance which is required of the 
students. A youth enters college for the purpose of gaining 
a special kind of knowledge which is intended to render him 
a more useful member of society, and to make him better 
fitted to satisfactorily discharge the great duties and responsi¬ 
bilities of a veterinary surgeon. He does not go there 
expressly to be taught to be a gentleman, or to be 'taught 
accomplishment, or to have his education finished. Nothing 
of the kind. He enters college for the precise and definite 
purpose of gaining a knowledge of the science of his profes¬ 
sion—the theory of the veterinary art. This may be said to 
consist in his being taught anatomy, physiology, pathology. 
