Hints for Improvements. 185 
Art. V. Hints for Improvements. 
THE Zoological Society and Garden. — After what has taken place at the 
Medico-Botanical Society (Gard Mag., vol. vi. p. 104.), and at the Hor- 
ticultural Society (Jéid., p. 104.), would it not be wise in the council of the 
Zoological Society to pass a by-law to the effect that every year a regular 
professional accountant should be employed to draw up a complete state- 
ment of the accounts of the Society; I mean such a one as would give one 
merchant a complete idea of the circumstances of another merchant; and 
that copies of these annual statements should be sent to all the members of 
the Society? The treasurer of this Society being the honorary secretary 
of the Horticultural Society is rather ominous; but I hope he will have 
good sense enough to resign. — J’, Z. 8S. Feb. 10. 1830, 
A Depot for the Exchange of Natural History Articles, —Sir, The naturalist, whom profes- 
sional or other duties confine to a strictly local dwelling, often experiences great difficulty in 
procuring specimens of plants and animals from other quarters, when desirous of studying some- 
thing of Nature’s productions beyond those of his own immediate vicinity ; and, if not fortunate 
in distant or locomotive scientific friends, it becomes almost an impossibility to him, by reason of 
the local habitats of so many of our animal and vegetable productions. ‘To remedy this incon- 
venience, felt more or less by all naturalists, and to afford facility for the exchange of specimens, 
it would be very desirable for those interested in natural history, and forming museums or col- 
lections, to have some fixed place where their supernumerary specimens might be sent, and from 
which they could receive others wanted, either in exchange for their own, or by payment of a 
certain price for each specimen. Iam strongly persuaded that if some competent individual in 
town would allot a room and portion of his time to this scheme, it might be made to answer as a 
pecuniary speculation, and be of great general utility to naturalists. He might obtain remune. 
ration for his services either by stipulated charges on all exchanges effected, or by yearly subscrip- 
tions or entrance fees from all persons placing specimens in his hands. As personal attendance 
in town would be inconvenient to many who would be most likely to support and be benefited by 
such an establishment, some plan must be adopted to facilitate the exchange or sale of specimens, 
Suppose appointed individuals take Smith’s English Flora, Stephens’s Catalogue of British Insects, 
&c., and, running over the species, mark each one with a number corresponding to its rarity, or 
other circumstance enhancing its value; these numbers being so arranged, that one species 
marked 12 shall be worth four specimens of those numbered 3; one of No. 60 be equal in value 
to five of No. 12, and to twenty of No.5. These numbers might be regarded as stamping a com- 
mercial value, and would thereby enable the naturalist, who might have none to give in return, or 
not wish to receive any, to sell or buy, which would still further increase the facilities of obtaining 
desired species. The numbering or pricing could easily be arranged, by estimating all mineralo- 
gical, botanical, entomological, and conchological species as No. 3 (or 3d. each), unless otherwise 
stated ; those regarded as more valuable baving an appropriate number attached to them. Ver- 
tebrate animals, dead, prepared, or alive, should, in like manner, have a minimum price for each 
state, and an increasing scale. An establishment of this nature might be limited to the pro- 
ductions of the British Isles, or include exotic natural history. A general catalogue of species, 
with the numbers affixed, might be published as a guide to those sending or requiring specimens. 
By inserting these hints in your Magazine, the attention of naturalists may be directed to the 
utility of the plan here proposed ; and if they can elicit any advice from yourself on the subject, 
it will much gratify, Yours, — H. C. W. Edinburgh, Oct. 1529. 
A Society of Naturalists. —Sir, 1 am much pleased to_find the suggestions of your correspond- 
ent K. (p. 286.) followed up by those of J. R. in the last Number of your Magazine (p. 395.), 
relative to the formation of a society for the encouragement of natural history, as there can be 
little doubt that, with some trouble and attention, one might be formed on such a plan as would 
meet with very general support ; for although we have the Linnean, Medico-Botanical, Geolo- 
gical, and Zoological Societies, yet, I think, if one were formed in the more comprehensive 
nature of a Society of Naturalists, many might be induced, and would be very glad, to join it, who 
would not like the expense of subscribing, or ever think of belonging, to four or five separate 
societies ; and I beg to suggest that the society should be of a more sociable description than most 
of the present scientific societies ; that is, I mean to say that the meetings should be more fre- 
quent, so as to bring the members more in contact and better acquainted with each other, and 
afford opportunities of imparting their knowledge and observations. 
If any thing of the kind alluded to by your correspondents should be seriously entertained, and 
a meeting for the purpose proposed, I hope you will give notice of it in your Magazine, as 
myself and many of my friends would be glad to join and support it as far as in our power. I am, 
Sir, &c.— W. A. Sept. 1829. 
The Idea of a Botanical Society, with a garden in the Regent’s Park, like that of the Zoological 
Society, for the purpose of introducing and improving new species of ornamental plants, is 
suggested by — dn Admirer af Nature. _ October 3. 1829. 
Rarer Birds, when and where shot.—1 venture to propose to you the propriety of devoting a 
small space in your Magazine to the mention of the rarer British birds, when and where shot. 
conceive the information would be valuable to numerous persons now forming cabinets of thc 
British birds. I have myself received three species within these few days, which I have neve;’ 
seen or heard of in this neighbourhood, and have anxiously looked for; namely, the Grey Pha. 
larope (Phaléropus lobatus), Black-throated Diver (Colymbus arcticus), and Stone Falcon (Falcw 
Lithofaleo).— Edward P. Thompson. Dover, Dec. 8. 1829, 
