t ] | The Scottish Naturalist. 



It is of course impossible here to attempt to give even an indication of the 

 very wide information contained in the book — to learn that, reference must be 

 made to the work itself; nor will a careless reader find it easy to appreciate 

 the extent or interest of that information. But those that are willing to study 

 it, as it deserves to be studied, and to strive to verify for themselves the results 

 recorded in it, will find it one of the most interesting works in a most interest- 

 ing field that has been published in the English language. And they will find 

 how fully the works of Professor Mtiller deserve to be considered an addition 

 to the knowledge of the mutual causal relationships in organic nature (" Ein 

 Beitrag zur Erkenntniss des ursachlichen Zusammenhanges in der organischeu 

 Natur"), as he claims for them on the title-page of his first book. 



May we not hope that this translation will exert a great effect in stimulating 

 a love of such pursuits among us, pursuits open to all, and that require for 

 their successful prosecution only accuracy and perseverance. 



That there are a few errors in the translation may be regarded as inevitable, 

 and doubtless if, as may be anticipated, a second edition is found necessary, 

 these will be corrected. Hearty thanks are due to Mr. Thompson for the 

 success with which he has put within the reach of many what was as a sealed 

 book to them in the original. While on this subject, we are reminded of 

 another translation of a German work on the allied subject of the means of 

 protection against unsuitable insect visitors — viz., Flowers and their Unbidden 

 Guests" translated from Dr. Kerner's work, in 1878, by Dr. Ogle. Probably 

 it is already known to some at least of our readers. 



It may also be worth noting that in the Linnean Society's Journal of 

 Zoology (Vol. XVII., 1883), will be found two papers on insect-visitors to 

 flowers — viz., " On the Constancy of Insects in their Visits to Flowers'''' (pp. 175- 

 1S5), by A. W. Bennett, M.A., &c. ; and " On the Methodic Habits of Insects 

 when visiting Flowers" (pp. 186-194), by R. M. Christy. 



SCOTTISH TKICHOPTERA. 



It is the intention of Mr. Kenneth J. Morton and myself to publish in the 

 Scottish Naturalist a list of the Truhoptera of Scotland. 



We wish to make it as complete as possible, and with this object venture to 

 ask Entomologists who have collected insects of this order for local lists and 

 any other information they may be able to give. We shall also be happy to 

 name specimens, and in the case where Lepidopterists or others may have 

 picked up odd specimens, such we shall be glad to see, provided the locality 

 where they were captured is known. These and communications may be 

 forwarded to Mr. Morton, High Street, Carluke, N.B. ; or to me, 



James J. King, 207 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. 



Books Received. — Zoologist, October — December ; Grevillea, December ; 

 Sixth Annual Report of the Hackney Microscopical and Natural History 

 Society ; Sunlight, Nos. 1 to 3 ; Hedwigia, January — October, 1SS3 ; Pro- 

 ceedings of the Natural History Society of Glasgow, Vol. V., Part 2 ; Pro- 

 ceedings of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science, Vol. II., Part 3. 



Notice to Correspondents. — Communications, either longer articles or 

 notes on all branches of the Botany, Zoology, and Geology of Scotland, or 

 bearing upon these sciences, are solicited. Contributors will oblige by sending 

 their communications, clearly written on one side of the paper only, to the 

 Editor, Professor Trail, M.D., Kent Cottage, King Street Road, Aberdeen, 

 not later than the beginning of the month preceding the issue of the number in 

 which the writer wishes it to appear. If unused MS. is desired in any case to 

 be returned, the writer will oblige by stating the wish when the MS. is sent to 

 the Editor, who will not hold himself responsible for MS. in any case. The 

 Authors alone are responsible for the contents of their papers. 



