The Scottish Naturalist. 271 



I now propose somewhat to alter my original proposition, and 

 instead of taking the American Naturalists' Agency entirely as 

 a model, I propose to combine its method of working with that 

 followed by the " Ray Society"* at the time of its original con- 

 ception by Hugh E. Strickland, Dr. Johnstone, Sir William 

 Jardine, and others of our eminent naturalists. My reasons for 



writes: — "It would, indeed, be a great advantage if any way could be con- 

 trived so as to enable one to get copies of papers on different subjects of 

 Natural Science, often totally locked up in different transactions of Societies 

 and Journals." Would that all secretaries of Natural History Societies in 

 this enlightened country could be brought to think in the same liberal 

 spirit, and chief amongst them "The British Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science." Dr. Smith, in a later communication, proposes for the 

 new Society (not the agency) the following title, which will, I think, do as 

 well as any other, viz: — "The British Naturalists' Publication Society," for 

 the publication and distribution amongst its members of original papers, and 

 also the republication, &c, especially referring to the Mammalia. To this 

 I would add, " and .<4zw " — leaving Invertebrata to be taken in hand, as 

 hereafter shown, by the Ray Society, and not interfering with the work of 

 that Society at all, if possible. 



Lastly. Professor Newton writes so much to the point that I would 

 suggest that his letters be printed in extenso (with his permission). But I 

 may here be allowed to make a few remarks on part of his second letter, 

 dated 17th October, 1873, which is somewhat unfavourable to the establish- 

 ment of an agency. Professor Newton writes, — "As to reprints, I think 

 it is very doubtful how far they would ever pay. No one who has the 

 chance of consulting an original work ought ever to put up with a new 

 edition of it — for the purpose of quotation, at least. " Now, in answer to this, 

 with all due deference to such an authority as Professor Newton undoubtedly 

 is in all such matters, I would say, — 1st. The establishment of a Society 

 instead of an agency will dispose of the first objection, because it is proposed 

 "That the Society should not accumulate capital." 2nd. It is for those 

 who have not the chance of referring to expensive editions or scarce originals 

 that it is proposed to establish such a Society, whose duty will be to assist 

 all inquiries in these and other directions, and by reprinting in "facsimile," 

 to supply its members with as near an approach to perfection as is obtain- 

 able by the comparatively poor. It is only in the libraries of the rich that 

 many old and valuable editions arc found ; or in places not attainable to 

 "provincial naturalists." Naturalists in our great cities do not stand in 

 need of a friend and counsellor to show them where a book may be con- 

 sulted, or to help them in the same way or to the same extent as one living 

 far from cities requires. But they might also find a Society such as I pro- 

 pose useful, and be willing to further science by adding their mite to its 

 support. Even a name or two to head our lists with, — smallest contribu- 

 tions gratefully received. — J. A. H. B. 



*For a full account of the conception and foundation of the "Ray 

 Society" in 1843, v ^<- " Memoir and Papers of Hugh E. Strickland," by 

 Sir W. Jardine. London : Van Voorst. 1858. 



