PREFACE 



The " Darwin Prize " scheme has a special interest for the 

 readers of this magazine, for the prize is to be awarded from 

 time to time for papers indicating original research upon sub- 

 jects within the scope of the Societies in the Midland Union, 

 contributed by members for publication in these pages. The 

 Editors earnestly direct the attention of their readers to the 

 details of the scheme at page 181 of this volume, and solicit 

 suitable contributions, which, to be eligible for the prize to be 

 awarded at the Cheltenham Meeting next year, must reach them 

 not later than the 31st March, 1881. 



Attention is also directed to the prize offered by Sir Here- 

 wald Wake, Bart., for the best Original Essay on the Life 

 History of any one genus of Insects indigenous to the Midland 

 Counties, full particulars of which are given at page 223. The 

 essays must be sent in not later than May 1st, 1881. 



The idea is rapidly gaining ground that local Natural 

 History Societies and Field Clubs will increase their usefulness 

 and add to their strength by following the example of the 

 Yorkshire and Midland Unions and amalgamating together, so 

 as to utilise such of their separate labours as are of general 

 interest, afford opportunities for the interchange of ideas, and 

 by placing on record what they are severally doing, make it 

 easy for the scattered workers in science to refer to fellow- 

 workers at a distance. The pages of the " Midland Naturalist " 

 have been the means of making public many valuable paj)ers, 

 which would otherwise have been but little known outside the 

 societies before which they were read. The monthly reports of 

 some of the Societies in our Union contained in these pages 

 have been found of great service ; and if all would follow the 

 example of the few, an inducement might be given to many 

 members to become subscribers, and the usefulness of the 

 magazine would be increased. We therefore urgently ask the 

 Secretaries to send us regularly concise reports of the pro- 

 ceedings of their several Societies, and such papers read before 

 them as are worthy of extended publication. 



