176 The Scottish Naturalist. 



(Carex vaginata was found on Ben-y-Gloe by Mr. J. M'Farlane). — Utricvlaria 

 intermedia near the Bynak Lodge, Braemar. 



Exobasidium vaccinii has been very common in Braemar this year, and 

 among other Fungi Hydtium compactum, Trametes pini, Polyporus violaceus 

 and Gyromitra esculenta have occurred. — F. Buchanan White. 



- VARIOUS NOTES. 



We learn that our contributor, the Rev. J. Fergusson, the well-known 

 bryologist, is preparing for publication a Manual of British Bryology. 



A work upon the Birds of Shetland by the late Dr. Saxby (well known for his 

 investigation of the ornithology of these islands), is announced as nearly ready. 

 It will be published by subscription {£1 is.), and will contain, in addition to 

 many observations on the habits, &c, of the Shetland birds, numerous tinted 

 lithographs from drawings by the author. These plates are very beautifully 

 drawn. Prospectuses may be obtained from the Rev. S. H. Saxby, East 

 Clevedon, Somerset, or from the publishers, Messrs. MacLachlan & Stewart, 

 Edinburgh. From what we know of the late Dr. Saxby's attainments we are 

 satisfied that the forthcoming work is one that should be in every ornithologist's 

 library. 



The annual report of the Glasgow Society of Field Naturalists is before us. 

 This Club (established in 1871) appears to be doing good work, especially in 

 investigating the entomology and botany of Clydesdale, where much remains to 

 be done, especially in the first of these departments. To the report is appended 

 a paper upon additions to the lichen flora of New Zealand (with descriptions of 

 new species). This seems to be rather out of place here, but we understand 

 that there are good reasons for so publishing it. We wish the Club all success. 



The Alloa Society of Natural Science and Archaeology has been showing an 

 amount of energy lately that might wtll be imitated by many older and more 

 influential Societies. Funds are being raised, and the foundation stone has 

 been laid of a building, in the Grecian style of architecture, which is to contain 

 the museum of the Society, in addition to lecture hall, committee rooms, &c. 

 The lecture hall and museum, situated in the back of the building, is 58 + 28 

 feet, and 25 feet high. Being lighted from the roof, a gallery 5 feet broad ^.0 

 which access may be had from the staircase outside the hall) will be carried 

 round, provided with wall cases and table glass cases in front. Besides the 

 hall the front building contains a committee room 25 x 20 feet and a reading- 

 room of the same size above; a cloak room 14 + 10 feet, with work room above, 

 and rooms for the keeper of the building, »fcc. The hall will be heated by warm 

 air, and will have three entrances, one of these by the committee room— thus 

 giving direct communication between all the apartments. The cost of the 

 building will be about ^r,6oo, of which a great portion has been raised. Well 

 done, Alloa! We hope that the Society, in forming the museum, will bear in - 

 mind the importance of illustrating well the local natural history, and carefully 

 eschew all donations of two-headed calves, South Sea Islanders' cloaks, et id 

 genus omne, which so often converts a provincial museum into an "omnium 

 gatherum " of rubbish. We understand that among other collections of natural 

 history and archaeology acquired by, and presented to, the Society, the very 

 valuable local collection of geology and mineralogy purchased some years ago 

 by the Society from the trustees of the late Robert Bald, C.E., will have a 

 prominent place in the new arrangements of the museum. 



