THE STOATS OF JURA AND ISLAY 203 



of the most primitive type. An account of this visit 

 appears in the " Entomologist's Monthly Magazine," vol. ii., 

 from the pen of his colleague Rye, and in a note by him- 

 self he records the capture of our two boreal dragon-flies, 

 SomatocJilora arctica, and ALschna coerulea. On the second 

 occasion, in 1885, he went to the meeting of the British 

 Association at Aberdeen, and on his return south, the writer 

 had the privilege of conducting him to some of the Lanark- 

 shire localities, and the pleasure of seeing his enthusiasm 

 over the capture of the rare Drepanopteryx phalcenoides, 

 although he himself had not the good fortune to take it 

 then. 



Under a certain reserve of manner Mr. M'Lachlan had 

 a most generous and kindly nature. He had the priceless 

 faculty of taking trouble, and he did this not only in connec- 

 tion with his own work, but also on behalf of others, to an 

 almost incredible extent. The hundreds of letters which 

 passed between him and the writer during a period extend- 

 ing from 1878 to April last amply testify to the above 

 excellent qualities. They are also full of interest, instruction, 

 and encouragement. An American correspondent, now a 

 biologist of mark, has said that at the beginning of his 

 own work on the Neuroptera, M'Lachlan sent him his 

 papers and wrote him a letter which was so kindly that 

 it was an inspiration. This serves to show the character 

 of the man whom his more intimate colleagues, students of 

 his favourite orders, respectfully called their master. 



K. J. M. 



THE STOATS, PUTORIUS ERMINEUS 

 OF JURA AND ISLAY. 



By G. E. H. BARRETT-HAMILTON, F.Z.S., etc. 



SCOTTISH naturalists are, of course, well aware of the 

 occurrence of the Stoat in Jura and Islay. Several speci- 

 mens from these islands have recently found their way 

 through my hands, and I find them of some interest, inas- 



