164 The Field Naturalisfs Qttarterly Aug. 



with current thought and literature on heredity, and then 

 proceed to make experiments and record their observations. 

 Every additional fact recorded helps towards the solution of 

 such questions. Finally it is reserved for some master mind, 

 surveying the whole mass of facts which have from time to 

 time been established, to appreciate the one essential element 

 running throughout, to perceive the true proportion of vary- 

 ing results, and to lay bare the one principle which underlies 

 the whole. Apart altogether from the practical results ob- 

 tained, the botanical observer will iind it a most interesting 

 study to observe which characters of plants are the most 

 frequently transmitted. He may produce variations either 

 by altering the quantity and nature of the nourishment on 

 which the plant lives, or by crossing one plant with another. 

 It will be found that those variations which result from 

 crossing are more often transmitted than those induced by 

 the former method, and the line of observation thus indicated 

 will provide interesting work for all who appreciate true 

 nature study. 



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Of the multiplication of new societies there seems to be no 

 end ; but in so far as they are concerned in spreading the 

 love of natural science and in aiding in its study, we wel- 

 come them and wish them all prosperity. One of the latest 

 is the World-wide Naturalists' Society, whose headquarters 

 are in Glasgow. The idea of establishing a connecting-link 

 between observing naturalists in widely scattered areas is an 

 excellent one, and we shall watch the development of this 

 society with interest. A vast amount of energy will be re- 

 quired to carry out the intention of the promoters with any- 

 thing like success, but we have no right to assume that this 

 will not be forthcoming. The subscription is nominal in 

 amount, and we hope that our readers will give the new 

 society their support. 



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All field naturalists are interested in the best means of 

 protecting and preserving, and even restoring in some in- 

 stances, our native birds. We therefore commend to the 



