The Annals 



of 



Scottish Natural History 



No. 7] 18 9 3 [July 



REPORT ON THE PLAGUE OF FIELD -VOLES 



IN SCOTLAND. 



[It is desirable that the official report on an event so 

 interesting from a natural history standpoint, though so 

 disastrous in its agricultural aspects, as a Plague of Field- 

 voles in Scotland, should find a permanent record in the 

 " Annals of Scottish Natural History." This irruption, so 

 to speak, of vole life was of such magnitude, and so far- 

 reaching in its devastations, that it was deemed necessary by 

 the Board of Agriculture to appoint a Departmental Com- 

 mittee to inquire into its causes ; to cope, if possible, with 

 its results ; and to suggest means for the prevention of its 

 recurrence. 



It was not to be expected, from the very nature of the 

 inquiry, that much, if any, new light would be thrown upon 

 the life-history of this vole; but a mass of interesting inform- 

 ation is afforded by the report, bearing upon the extent 

 and probable origin of the plague, and on other matters con- 

 nected therewith. 



We reproduce the report of the Commission, omitting 

 such portions as do not bear upon the present outbreak, 

 and such as relate to matters which are purely agricultural 

 in their aspects. — EDS.] 



7 B 



