On the Astacilla of Cordiner. 105 



to avoid noticing the labours of those who have investigated 

 the subject, many individuals but too easily succeed in saving 

 themselves the trouble of scrutinizing the evidence, by deriving 

 their informatiou at second hand. The reader, in ordinary 

 cases, will not likely detect the indolence of the compiler, who, 

 in such circumstances, but too frequently claims and gains 

 credit for great industry of research, when all his labours con- 

 sisted in transcribing. It is true, that an occasional typogra- 

 phical error, in the reference to a page, when it can be traced 

 through the synonimes of subsequent authors, may reveal the 

 secret. But few travel in a course where such occurrences are 

 to be met with ; and those who may happen to detect them 

 are generally in a state of mind to afford a delinquent the 

 greatest sympathy. 



In the present state of society, it is perhaps impossible to 

 avoid the multiplication of synonimes. The number of ob- 

 servers, in almost every branch of science, has increased to 

 such a degree as to render it unattainable for any individual 

 to become acquainted with all the results which they have 

 gained ; and it is equally impracticable to be aware of all the 

 truths which these observers may record in the numerous pub- 

 lications now open for the reception of scientific truths. It 

 would require, for each department of science, the hfetime of 

 an active individual, placed in favourable circumstances, in 

 order to collect the facts which have been ascertained, and 

 apportion to each observer the share of discovery which may 

 be due. Few, however competent for the task, can be ex- 

 pected to exhibit such devoted patriotism. But there are many 

 individuals, at present engaged in scientific inquiry, who are 

 studying Nature or tracing the labours of her votaries, and who 

 occasionally have it in their power to point out the progress of 

 discovery, and thus contribute to the formation of correct annals 

 of science. Under the conviction that every result of this 

 kind is of value, the following notices have been recorded, 

 which may probably have an interest with those who are en- 

 gaged in the study of the crustaceous animals, or who take any 

 pleasure in watching the progress of the British Fauna. 



In the year 1784, the Rev. Charles Cordiner, of Banff, 

 began to publish in London, in numbers, a very interesting 

 work, entitled, *' Remarkable Ruins and Romantic Prospects 



