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14

A smattering of physiology, a confused notion of embryology, a vast admiration for high flying hypotheses, and a sort of contempt for systematic zoology and the hard study and drudgery that it requires;- are poorly adapted to produce the qualifications needed in a great museum. As a matter of fact they do not produce them, and this class of biological workers has ceased to gain any recruits from the university students.

It is to be hoped that the need of such workers, when attention has been called to it, may find some other suitable source of supply, for it is evident that, unless it does, when the present generation has retired from its labors there will be no persons qualified to succeed them. The proposition to take into the Museum service, as aids or working students, young persons interested in Natural History with a view to supplying the anticipated need from such as proved suitable, is worthy of consideration. The pay should be small; for any rate of pay large enough to be in itself an object, will invite parasites not acceptable in any sense, and no one who has not the necessary devotion to put money considerations aside, at least until he has won his spurs, would be a permanently desirable