PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
7 
to study habits and geographical distribution—thence physiology, embracing all the 
phenomena of organized being, until we arrive at the highest flights of metaphysics. 
Not till then can we with propriety call ourselves zoologists. 
REASONS FOR STUDYING ZOOLOGY. 
It would seem unnecessary to say one word, in these days, to urge the value of 
zoological pursuits, more particularly before a body self-formed for their promotion; 
yet I had intended to have dwelt on this subject. 
On looking into Swainson’s discourse on the study of natural history, with a view 
rather to take some new ground. I find so many of the arguments I had intended 
to have used collected there, that I refer you to the book, in order that, should igno¬ 
rant persons venture to sneer at your pursuits, you may refer them to a work 
which, though not free from faults, has the merit of being easily accessible. For 
my own part I can say, though I have spent much time in zoological pursuits, by 
stealing a large part of it from night, I have contrived to neglect no duties, and 
have chiefly used for the purpose those hours which are too often devoted to card¬ 
playing, dancing, or more unprofitable amusements, by persons who deride our 
pursuits. But, to use the forcible language of a most distinguished lover of science, 
“ Their envious ignorance vainly strives, by idle mockery, to undervalue what it 
cannot understand.” My energetic friend, Robert Patterson, one of our cor¬ 
responding members, has, by his various publications, done more, perhaps, than 
any other living person to make zoology popular. He has brought together many 
strong arguments for the use of natural history in general education; and his 
excellent work on zoology has already reached, in its onward progress, a circulation 
of 20,000 copies. On the walls around us hang his series of diagrams, just pub¬ 
lished by the Board of Trade, and you will observe that nothing of the kind 
so good has before appeared. I may refer to one difficulty which has retarded the 
advance of zoology—it is, that not being a regularly cultivated study in the great 
seats of learning, the eminent individuals controlling these establishments are, con¬ 
sequently, to a great extent, ignorant of its educational value. But this time 
is passing away; the doors for its admission are opened at Cambridge, are opening 
at Oxford, and here we have made good progress; while, in the newer institutions, 
zoology takes rank with its kindred sciences; indeed, it is hard to explain why it 
has not been always co-equal with botany, long and deservedly a favourite study 
in schools. However, the steady advance of zoology is now certain, and must 
be much accelerated by having a value assigned to it in the India Civil Service 
examination, and by the assertion of the medical examiners of the East India 
Company, that proficiency in zoology will be entitled to great consideration—that 
they desire to encourage all candidates to acquire an elementary knowledge of the 
principal natural families of plants and animals, and that they are anxious to pro¬ 
mote the study of natural history, as a most important adjunct or preliminary to 
a liberal medical education, considering comparative anatomy, zoology, and 
botany, if properly cultivated, by means of specimens, for even a short period, to be 
eminently calculated to develope habits of close observation, and to strengthen 
powers of reasoning upon observed facts. 
LIBRARY. 
The Council have considered it advisable to form a Library. In this I join with 
them, having myself, in my early pursuit of Natural History, felt greatly the want 
of books of reference. The funds of the Association being necessarily very limited, 
the purchase of books to any extent is, therefore, out of the question; but the 
honorary and corresponding members may, by giving copies of works of which 
they are authors, or of their duplicates, aid the Association, without cost to them¬ 
selves, and greatly to the advance of Zoological knowledge. I may add, that 
already, without any direct application, many useful, and some valuable works have 
been presented. 
PRACTICAL APPLICATION. 
In the practical application of zoological knowledge much is to be done. The 
breeding of eels is still a matter of obscurity ; and in the history of the salmon much 
is still to be learned. The means of staying the ravages of turnip flies, wire worms, 
caterpillars, &c., are to be sought in a true knowledge of the insects in their different 
states. I should not omit the Silpha opaca, the larvaj of which have been latterly 
