THE LATE FRANCIS BUCHANAN WHITE 77 



to the Hemiptera, which he studied from the point of view 

 of a systematist ; but, though he published a few articles on 

 British Hemiptera, among which " Notes on Corixa, with 

 Analytical Key to British Genera and Species," is of much 

 value, most of his papers relate to exotic species, and are 

 contained in journals to which students of Scotch Entomology 

 need not often refer. Most of these papers consist of de- 

 scriptions of new genera and species ; but two of them afford 

 scope for a wider treatment of biological problems, and de- 

 serve study from this point of view also. These are " Contri- 

 butions to a Knowledge of the Hemipterous Fauna of St. 

 Helena, and Speculations on its Origin," and the " Report on 

 the Pelagic Hemiptera collected by H.M.S. ' Challenger.' ' 



Another and even more important side of the work done 

 by Dr. White in furthering the study of Natural Science in 

 Scotland, more especially in Perthshire and the surrounding 

 counties, must be noticed. This lay in his eager desire to 

 interest others in those pursuits that were so great a pleasure 

 to himself, and in the success with which he awakened such 

 interest, and induced those in whom it was awakened to 

 provide for its extension and continuance in future. His 

 influence in this direction is abundantly shown by the share 

 that he took in the initiation of the Perthshire Society of 

 Natural Science in 1867, the Cryptogamic Society of 

 Scotland in 1874, and the East of Scotland Union of 

 Naturalists' Societies in 1884. Of the Cryptogamic Society 

 he was for a time the Secretary ; while of the Union he was 

 the first President. With the Perthshire Society his con- 

 nection was naturally very close. He was throughout an 

 active member of the Council ; during a number of years as 

 President, during part of the time as Secretary. He edited 

 the publications of the Society from their commencement ; 

 indeed it may be said that to him was due the commence- 

 ment of these " Proceedings and Transactions " that have 

 done much to advance the study of the Natural History of 

 the county and to strengthen the Society. Recognising the 

 very great value to a local society of a well-organised 

 museum conducted on proper lines, he set himself to the en- 

 deavour to originate such a museum in Perth. The Society 

 took up the scheme heartily, with the result that the Perth- 



