INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. xi 



have been all required, and that the call is still onward. 

 Professor Bell's edition will, in all probability, be an expensive 

 one, for we are sure no pains or expense will be spared in any 

 of the departments ; it will therefore not be in circulation 

 among certain classes. Now in a work so much read, and likely 

 still to be so, when it can be obtained at so moderate a charge 

 as that of the volumes of the "Illustrated Library," it is essen- 

 tial that explanations should accompany it, and this is one reason 

 for notes to such a book. Since the time of the letters from 

 Selborne vast advances have been made in all branches of 

 science. White was one of those who mainly assisted or tempted 

 persons to observe. Studying, searching out, and inquiring 

 himself, he incited others ; and in the letters he writes to 

 Pennant and Barrington, he often asks questions, starts sub- 

 jects for discussion, and brings forward objects new to the 

 existing knowledge of the physical character of the district ; 

 and it is very important that all those should be explained to 

 the young reader, or to the person perhaps only entering upon 

 the study of nature, and this it will be our object to do in any 

 notes and commentary we may now add, and which can be done 

 we think sufficiently for every purpose, even by one who has not 

 seen the place or resided in the district. But there are other 

 phenomena, which can only be illustrated by one who is 

 resident, and has resided for some time, and continuously upon 

 the spot. Sixty years, however short that time may appear, will 

 produce important differences in particular localities; even 

 during White's incumbency he complains of the changes that 

 are occurring, and the disturbance to the " Ferae naturae," the 

 increase or destruction of wood, acts remarkably on the Fauna 

 and Flora and on the climate ; so does drainage, particularly 

 that of any larger piece of water, and cultivation influences very 

 materially the habits of the wild animals. Do the stone curlews 

 now abound as they did in White's time, and is their shrill whistle 

 yet heard at the parsonage ? Do the ring-ousels still find their 

 resting places as formerly, are all the summer visitants yet 

 found, and have no new ones been added and become common ? 

 How does the meteorology now agree with White's tables ? 

 What are the changes in the Hanger and in Wolmer Forest 1 these 

 are all subjects for Professor Bell's edition, besides many others 

 which the place itself will suggest, and which he will not omit 

 to introduce. Meanwhile, let those who wish to hand down the 

 annals of their own districts, study to follow White's example, 



