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,

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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 Britain.

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 Brewster, 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

justly regarded as more favourable than any in the island for the pursuit of this delightful study. Indeed, it would not be easy to determine, why a higher state of advancement has not been attained; and the difficulty is much increased when we consider, that, in addition to the great facility which this most picturesque district affords for the practical pursuit of the science, the Professorship of Natural History has already been held for several years by the assiduous and intelligent gentleman, of whom I have spoken so much.

I am inclined to attribute this to the joint operation of a great number of causes; but I observe, that Professor Jameson himself considers the too engrossing influence of the law as being the most immediate and effectual of all the dampers under which his favourite study has so long languished. Most of the young men of this city are trained up either as barristers or attornies: and it very unfortunately happens, that all more liberal pursuits, (both classical and scientific,) so far from being much respected or held in estimation by these classes of men, are, for the most part, regarded as quite inconsistent with a diligent discharge of their professional