304 NATURAL SCIENCE. May. 1896. 



of the Edinburgh Summer Meeting, to be held at University Hall, 

 Edinburgh, from August 3 to 29. Professor Patrick Geddes and 

 Mr. Arthur Thomson, who were the founders of the Edinburgh 

 meeting, continue to be its guiding spirits. There are two features 

 about the course which seem to us to distinguish it honourably among 

 similar meetings. First, there is an attempt made to teach the 

 natural and social sciences alongside each other. It is possible to 

 suggest criticism, both of the practicability of this object and of the 

 methods by which it is proposed to attain it ; but we have nothing 

 but praise for the synthetic spirit of philosophy that has ruled the 

 drafting of the courses. In less than a month it were foolish to 

 attempt detailed and isolated courses on special subjects ; the holiday 

 learners require, and are able to obtain, instruction in the methods of 

 observation and instruction in the value of observation ; they are 

 taught why to see as well as how to see. Secondly, the international 

 character of the programme is most noteworthy. There are lecturers 

 from Scotland, England, and Ireland ; but, in addition, Professor 

 \\'enley is coming from the University of Michigan ; Messrs. Paul 

 Desjardins and Elisee Reclus are to represent French and Belgian 

 thought, while Professor W. Rein, of the University of Jena, is to give 

 a course upon the Life and Doctrine of Herbart. This delightful 

 international character of a Scots seminary is a return to the old 

 academic traditions of Scotland, which gradually died after England 

 enjoyed the advantage of the union of the crowns. 



Economic Entomology. 



Miss E. A. Ormerod's " Report of Observations on Injurious 

 Insects during the Year 1895 " well maintains the reputation of that 

 indefatigable worker, who, year by year, sends forth clear and accurate 

 descriptions and life-histories of the insect-ravagers of crops and trees 

 with summaries of the best methods for fighting them. The most 

 important feature of the present report is the account of the two- 

 winged flies injurious to horses, cattle, and sheep. Though the work 

 is intended for the " practical man," the " pure naturalist " will not 

 turn its pages without profit. He will find, for instance, confirmation 

 of the old observation that certain of the carnivorous ground-beetles 

 (Carabidae) occasionally forsake their predaceous habits to devour 

 greedily roots and fruits. 



