The phrase is introduced in the first chapter.
[4] The first example is of a visitor to
Oxford. The visitor, upon viewing the
colleges and
library, reportedly inquired "But where is the University?"
[5] The visitor's mistake is presuming that a University is part of the category "units of physical infrastructure" rather than that of an "institution". Ryle's second example is of a child witnessing the march-past of a division of soldiers. After having had battalions, batteries, squadrons, etc. pointed out, the child asks when is the division going to appear. "The march-past was not a parade of battalions, batteries, squadrons
and a division; it was a parade of the battalions, batteries and squadrons
of a division." (Ryle's italics) His third example is of a foreigner being shown a cricket match. After being pointed out batsmen, bowlers and fielders, the foreigner asks: "who is left to contribute the famous element of team-spirit?"
[4]