PREFACE. 



THE following lists of the Fauna and Flora of the West of Scotland 

 have been brought out under the auspices of the Glasgow Society of 

 Field Naturalists as a guide to the district, for the 1876 meeting of 

 the British Association, and it is hoped will be of some use in show- 

 ing the character and distribution of the animals and plants. Owing, 

 however, to the very short time at the disposal of the Society after 

 resolving to carry out the work, it is necessarily incomplete, and may 

 contain some errors; but every care has been taken to make it as 

 complete as possible. It is with great regret that the important 

 order Coleoptera has been omitted owing to the limited time, as this 

 branch has been very thoroughly worked up in the West of Scotland, 

 and the same remark applies to the absence of a portion of the 

 Hymenoptera, and of several marine groups. 



The lists are intended to show as far as possible what has been 

 done in the various branches, and it is hoped that they may have the 

 effect of stirring up workers to study those branches in which nothing 

 has been done, and in inciting young men to the study of Natural 

 History by showing how much independent investigation has yet to 

 be made. 



In the course of a few years the Society hopes to be able to publish 

 a second edition, and by that time the investigation of the Natural 

 History of the West of Scotland may be more complete. 



Already several naturalists in the district are turning their atten- 

 tion to neglected branches, such as Spiders, but it is thought better 

 not to publish these lists at present. 



The Society has been indebted to several gentlemen who are not 

 connected with it for assistance, and would tender them their thanks 

 for the assistance so frankly and kindly given. Among these may 

 be named Mr. David Eobertson, F.G.S., F.L.S., who placed his valu- 

 able lists of Marine Mollusca, Foraminifera, &c., at their disposal; 

 Mr. Eoger Kennedy, who gave his list of Marine Algae; Mr. H. 



