The Scottish Naturalist. 155 



importance, it may be well to consider in what ways they can 

 be most fully carried into effect. In some societies, the only per- 

 manent record of work done by the members is to be found in 

 publications that appear at more or less regular intervals ; while in 

 others there is no record kept beyond the unpublished minutes. 

 Even in the former case, the circulation of the publications is 

 usually so limited that the papers reach but a small proportion 

 of the scientific public ; and they are very apt to remain unknown 

 to those to whom they would be of special interest. The recent 

 action towards affiliating the various societies with the British 

 Association, and the publication, in the " Transactions " of that 

 body, of, at least, the titles of the papers read during the year 

 in the smaller societies, will do much to render their work 

 accessible. 



Yet, even under any circumstances as regards facility of pub- 

 lication, a still more valuable work would be done in the eluci- 

 dation of the fauna, flora, and geology of our country, were each 

 society to keep constantly in view the very great value and interest 

 of museums in which the chief aim has been to bring together 

 a complete series oi all the natural products of the surrounding 

 country, along with types selected to show clearly the leading 

 groups of animals, plants, minerals, and strata, and their distri- 

 bution over the world. 



The uses of a museum are manifold, if it has been formed 

 under careful supervision, and worked out on well-considered lines 

 from the commencement ; but the formation of a museum is a 

 work of time ; and it is seldom in the power of any one person 

 to carry it from its earliest beginnings to its full maturity, even 

 when of small size, and devoted to a single department of science. 

 The critical period in the history of a museum is, however, at 

 its origin ; for, on the care exercised in forming the original plan, 

 its success and usefulness chiefly depend ; and much labour is 

 necessary before it can be brought into the right track, should it 

 have been begun on a wrong one. 



It is very desirable that there should be, at least, one large and 

 complete museum in the most accessible centre for the whole 

 country : and in this museum should be contained collections of 

 the utmost possible completeness, in all departments of Natural 

 Science. In no way can specialists work out the details in the 

 study of which they are engaged, unless they have access to the 



