348 The Scottish Naturalist. 



find an excellent Bibliography of the Land and Fresh-water Shells 

 among the "Transactions of the Union for 1885." Mr. Henry 

 Coates deserves very hearty thanks for the labour expended upon 

 this list, and also for having made a beginning in so desirable a 

 direction ; and it is earnestly wished that similar bibliographies 

 of other groups should follow with as little delay as possible. 



To some it may seem that the work of the bibliographer is 

 hardly more than mechanical, and that it is beneath the dignity of 

 scientific students ; but in truth this view is very erroneous. A 

 well-prepared index greatly facilitates, if it is not indispensable to, 

 the work of students. To prepare such an index in the very 

 nature of things requires a wide acquaintance with the sources of 

 information upon the subject in question. If each specialist does 

 the work wholly for himself, he might well despair in contemplation 

 of the mass of books to be consulted, often with little, if any, 

 return for much labour. If prepared by a single observer un- 

 assisted, the index, must remain defective and unsatisfactory, alike to 

 its compiler and to those who make use of it. But index-making can 

 be rendered at once more pleasant and more thorough by division 

 of labour. If the books and periodicals that must be consulted 

 are portioned out among a number of workers, the share that falls 

 to each can quite be overtaken ; and in a comparatively short time 

 the work will be completed, and a reliable index be placed within 

 reach of all. 



A circular has been issued by the Council of the Union speci- 

 fying the more important works and periodicals in which informa- 

 tion is contained relating to the biology and geology of the East 

 of Scotland ; and volunteer compilers have been asked for, to per- 

 mit of the work being completed in these departments. The list 

 in the circular is by no means complete, but it is a beginning ; 

 and additions can readily be made to it ; and suggestions towards 

 rendering it more complete are much desired by the Council. 



Each of the works named in the list, or to be added to it, 

 should be taken in hand by a compiler, who should note all refer- 

 ences to whatever comes under the scope included in the widest 

 interpretation of the term Bibliography of Biology and of Geology 

 in the East of Scotland. Each separate article should be noticed; 

 its heading should be given in full ; and there should also be a 

 brief indication of the scope and value of the articles. References 

 should be added to notes, however brief, in which any real infor- 



