360 CORRESPONDENCE. 



communication, in the shape of queries and answers, critical observations, &c, 

 between your correspondents, and therefore I may, as an humble student of the 

 vast field of Nature, be permitted to proceed to the subject of my present com- 

 munication without further preface or apology. 



I wish then to inquire, which are the best works in the several departments of 

 Natural History, especially Zoology and Botany ? First, I should be glad to be 

 informed as to the general and more comprehensive works, and, secondly, as to 

 the monographs, treatises, memoirs, &c. I should like the size of the works to 

 be specified ; and where particularly good accounts of the economy, &c, of any 

 one species have been published in the Transactions of learned Societies, or in 

 periodicals, &c, it might be of use to myself and others to specify these. 



Although -I am but a beginner, it is not to be supposed that I have no books 

 whatever relating to Natural History, though possibly I may not have the best. 

 What I have been recommended is, first, to obtain a general idea of each branch, 

 and then to descend to minutiae. Without the mind of a Linnaeus, a Cuvier, 

 or a Swainson, I am fully aware that it would be impossible to advance science 

 in any way without attaching oneself particularly to some department; but 

 perhaps, by knowing something of;the collateral branches, we may be assisted in 

 the particular study we have selected. Were I not certain that your reply to 

 my query would be of eminent service to others as well as myself, I would not 

 have ventured to occupy so much of your space. The most convenient plan of 

 arranging the list would probably be to make Mammalogy, Ornithology, Ento- 

 mology, &c, the heads of columns, with subdivisions under each for " general 

 works," " monographs," " treatises and papers in periodicals," &c, but this, of 

 course, you will manage according to your own judgment, and doubtless to the 

 best advantage. 



I am, Sir, with much respect, 



Your obedient servant, 



Alton Hall, Gloucestershire, Charles Hanway. 



Sept. 27, 1837. 



[[Our correspondent appears to expect that we shall ourselves reply to his 

 query. Our usual plan is to allow contributors to answer all questions of this 

 kind. This we shall accordingly do in the present instance, confident that we 

 have many readers both willing and able to furnish a list of works on one or 

 more branches of Natural History. But should no one come forward, we will 

 then supply the catalogue, to the best of our ability. Meanwhile we may 

 observe, that M. Percheron has published a catalogue raisonne of entomological 

 works, and that our Ornithologist's Text-book contains notices of ornithological 

 books, treatises, &c— Ed.] 



