493 



PORTRAITS, MEMOIRS, AND AUTOGRAPHS OF LIVING AND 



RECENTLY-DECEASED NATURALISTS, BRITISH AND 



FOREIGN. 



We have long had in contemplation a series of the above nature, and have 

 at length so far completed our arrangements as to be enabled to announce the 

 appearance, in our next number, of a portrait, memoir, and autograph of the late 

 Dr. Latham, celebrated as an ornithologist wherever Natural History is a study. 

 The consent of several eminent naturalists to appear in " The Naturalist's 

 Portrait Gallery," has likewise already been obtained, so that there will be no 

 interruption in the series. We natter ourselves it will be admitted that no 

 difficulties, however great, have been allowed to hinder the performance of any 

 plan proposed by the present Editor, relative to The Naturalist. This ought to 

 assure us some confidence for the future. But at the same time our readers may 

 desire definite information respecting the proposed addition. 



It may, then, be observed that a portrait will be issued every alternate month, 

 without any advance in price, and without interfering with the necessary illus- 

 trations in Natural History. Further, let it be distinctly understood, that no 

 commercial speculation is intended ; but that the plan, having appeared desirable 

 to ourselves, and having received the approbation of many present subscribers, 

 as well as of several who on that account intend to become subscribers, we have 

 no hesitation in commencing it. 



Our subjects will in most cases be living naturalists, but a few exceptions will 

 be made in favour of those who have recently quitted the world. In almost every 

 instance the portraits will be original. Thus when an indifferent portrait of any 

 individual is already on paper,we should on no account republish it on the score of 

 economy, but would either take an improved copy from it, or procure an altogether 

 fresh likeness. There are, for example, portraits of Audubon,Wilson,Kirby, &c, 

 before the world ; but they are both mediocre in execution, and scarcely known out 

 of London, except where they are inserted as frontispieces to the authors' own works. 



A memoir will in every possible case accompany the portrait, and will consist 

 either of a memoir of the life of the individual, and of a notice of his scientific 

 labours and official stations, or of the latter only. 



Thirdly, an autograph will appear with the portrait. 



Our aim, therefore, is to render the public more intimately acquainted with the 

 labours and lives of those individuals whose exertions have best answered the ends 

 of Natural Science ; and it is anticipated that at the close almost every name of 

 eminence will be included. The series will comprise scientific naturalists, popular 

 naturalists, and patrons of Natural History ; but of course no " artificial classifi- 

 cation" will be attempted in the execution of the plan. 



In fine, the series itself will best testify to the manner in which our views, 

 here briefly stated, will be carried out. 



Campsall Hall, near Doncaster, Aug. 15, 1838. 



END OF THE THIRD VOLUME. 



