EXPLORATION OF SUTHERLAND. KJ3 



setting out drew near, Mr Wilson's spirits sank at the 

 prospect of so long an absence; but, rather than disorganise 

 the party, he placed his own feelings in abeyance; and 

 not only did he contrive to enjoy the tour himself, but lie 

 contributed greatly to the enjoyment of his brother savans. 

 The survey of the county was rich in scientific results, 

 and threw much light on the birds, fishes, insects, and 

 plants of a region till then very imperfectly explored.* 



" Inverness, Wednesday morning, 

 28th May 1834. 



" I know that you will rejoice to hear that, after a 



delightful drive by Dunkeld and Killiecrankie, we arrived 



here safe and sound last night at half-past ten. We were 



by that time somewhat tired, and not a little dirty; for 



the day being bright and dry, was likewise dusty ; and as 



we had left Perth at five in the morning (when and where 



I met your nephew, Colonel Murray) we were well worn 



out by the afternoon. I found the party waiting my 



arrival at Perth, and all in great glee and good humour 



except myself, and I was not rale bad, though there was 



still a bit of lead about my heart, part of which (I think 



■•' Its entomological results were published by Mr Wilson in two 

 papers, one in the Entomological Magazine, vol. iv., the other in the 

 Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, vol. xix. In the twentieth vol. of 

 the last named periodical, there are papers on the Quadrupeds and Birds 

 of Sutherlandshire, by Mr Selby, and in the eighteenth vol. a disserta- 

 tion on its Salmbnidcc, by Sir W. Jardine. 



