philosophical views of that science, which the study of nomenclature and classification has wellnigh banished from the remembrance of most of his brethren in the south. A residence of many years in different parts of the continent, and, in particular, a perfect knowledge of the German tongue, which he acquired during his stay at Freyberg, have opened to him many sources of information, from which he continues to derive infinite advantage; and, at a time when, from the extent and multiplicity of his labours in mineralogy, one might naturally suppose his attention to be entirely engrossed by that study, his pupils, I am assured, find him on every occasion both able and willing to instruct them regarding all the recent and most important discoveries and improvements in the other branches of natural science.

The professor delivers his lectures both during the winter and summer season, and he divides his course into five great branches: Meteorology -Hydrography-Mineralogy-a Sketch of the Philosophy of Botany, sufficient to enable his pupils to understand the relations which subsist between that science and a complete history of the inorganic parts of the globe-and, lastly, Zoology. The first of these divisions is render

ed particularly interesting, by the number and variety of curious facts which are collected, and the more so, as there are scarcely any good books written professedly on the subject. In truth, I should think the whole science of Natural History, as a popular branch of education, is likely to assume a new aspect under the auspices of this ingenious and indefatigable man. Now, that all the known facts of Mineralogy are to him "familiar as household words," he will have it in his power to devote more of his attention to the various branches of Zoology, which hitherto, as he says very candidly, he has not had either leisure or opportunity to discuss and illustrate, as his inclinations would lead him to do. The same acuteness which has enabled him so completely to overcome all the difficulties of his own favourite department, will ere long, I doubt not, elevate him to the first rank among the zoologists of Britain; and he will soon have the honourable satisfaction of instituting a school of Natural History in the northern metropolis, which may long remain unrivalled in any other country. This desirable object, I am happy to learn, he is now likely to accomplish more easily and speedily than he could before have expected,

by means of a most valuable and interesting acquisition, which is about to be obtained by the University. The fine cabinet of M. Dufresne of the Jardin des Plantes, so well known and deservedly admired by all the Parisian sçavants, has just been purchased for the public Museum. This, with certain additions to be procured at the approaching sale of Mr Bullock's extensive collections, when combined with the great treasures which the University already possesses, will certainly form by far the most magnificent Museum of Natural History in Bri tain.

Such is the general view I have been able to form of the actual state of the science, under this celebrated professor. From various conversations, however, with himself, Dr B- and some of the young gentlemen who attend the professor's lectures, I am sorry to hear, that, on the whole, the science of Natural History neither has been, nor is, cultivated throughout Scotland, with any degree of zeal corresponding to the opportunity which the country affords. Its natural advantages are far superior, in most respects, to those of the sister kingdom; and the situation of Edinburgh, in particular, may be