3 t 2 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



responsible, and the society apologizes for his name 

 being- attached to the list. That the value of the 

 guide-book may not suffer, Mr. Robertson has kindly 

 consented to compile the accompanying list, which is 

 as complete as the short time he had for the work 

 would allow. It will be supplied to all those known 

 to have that volume of the guide-book." 



This was an expense to the society, and a con- 

 siderable piece of labour for Mr. Robertson, since the 

 list occupies sixteen pages of the book ; but, under the 

 circumstances, it was a happy ending to an awkward 

 incident, and gave to all concerned the credit which 

 is well deserved when difficulties are met in a straight- 

 forward and honourable manner. 



Notwithstanding the slight contretemps in regard 

 to the list of marine mollusca, the Association 

 meeting proved to be very agreeable, giving Robert- 

 son the opportunity of seeing and entertaining many 

 scientific friends from a distance. How pleasantly 

 he upbraids one who did not put in an appearance 

 may be seen by the following letter : 



"Mv DEAR MR. SLADEN, 



" I am exceedingly glad to hear that you 

 are still in the land of the living, and there in good 

 health. Over and over we have been expressing our 

 wonder what had come over you, that we had not heard 

 from you. Latterly our hopes were revived some- 

 what, that you would be delaying till you came to 

 the British Association meeting. But your absence 

 from it quite strengthened our worst auguries. It 

 now seemed quite possible that you were dead, and 



