The Scottish Naturalist. 179 



REVIEWS. 



1. — "The Naturalist" : Journal of the West Riding Consolidated 

 Naturalists' Society. Edited by C. P. Hobkirk and G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., 

 Huddersfield. 



2. — "The Quarterly Journal of Conchology." No. 5, vol. I., 

 Leeds. 



3. — "Field and Forest" : Bulletin of the Potomac-side Naturalists' 

 Club. Edited by C. R. Dodge, Washington, U.S.A. 



4. — "On the Conservation of our Rarer Native Plants and 

 Insects:" a Presidential Address to the Edinburgh Naturalists' Field 

 Club, by William Gorrie, Edinburgh. 



Though as a general rule we do not care to devote the scanty space at 

 our disposal to matters of such temporary interest as reviews, we cannot, 

 resist noticing the appearance of several new journals devoted to Natural 

 History, as we trust their appearance in the field is an indication of pro- 

 gress. The first on our list is the third attempt made by the West Riding 

 Naturalists to establish a journal of their own, and we sincerely trust this 

 venture will be more successful than the former two. Amongst so many 

 Yorkshire societies, and with the editors whose sendees have been 

 secured for the new journal, it ought surely to be a matter of little difficulty 

 to obtain enough material and subscribers to make the Naturalist (rather 

 an ill-chosen name by the way) a success. If, however, it is to have an 

 interest outside of Yorkshire, less prominence must be given to the local 

 societies' reports. 



The next two on our list are also well printed and got up Magazines, 

 and not so local in their contents. We wish them also success. 



No. 4 is chiefly occupied by a review of various plants that have become 

 extinct, or nearly so, in various localities known to the author. Botanists, 

 sheep, rabbits, and rats appear to be the chief instruments of destruction. 

 Mr. Gorrie suggests the introduction of some of our rarer plants into 

 localities favourable for their naturalization, and suggests that field clubs 

 should record such introductions, both past and future. The importance of 

 the latter point should not be lost sight of. After disposing of the plants, Mr. 

 Gorrie next directs attention to insects, and thinks that insect collectors 

 are more to be blamed for extirpation of the objects of their pursuit than 

 plant collectors. The will to do so may be present in some cases, but we 

 do not think that in Scotland at least much mischief may be attributed to 

 insect collectors. Some suggestions then follow regarding the advisability 

 of the introduction of certain beautiful insects. By all means let this be 

 attempted, but do not let the experimenter be too sanguine of success. 

 " In conclusion," says Mr. Gorrie, "let each and all who study botany 

 and entomology, or other branches of natural history, do so carefully, per- 

 severingly, and above all, economically, not only avoiding needless waste, 

 but rather promoting or aiming at the increase of the rarer objects ; so 

 that those who come after may find no diminution of plants, insects, or 

 other specimens they may be in search of, in the habitats where they may 

 have previously been found. And in natural history, as in other pursuits, 

 it is a good rule to avoid all needless and ostentatious expenditure, over- 

 indulgence in which not only dulls personal exertion, but detracts from the 

 real pleasures that are derivable from natural history studies generally, and 

 from the country excursions of Naturalists' Field Clubs in particular," 



