THE MAGAZINE 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
JULY, 1830. 
Arr. I. Remarks on some of the Advantages and Disadvantages of 
Periodical Works on Natural History. By a PURCHASER OF 
PERIODICALS. 
Sir, 
As your Magazine opens a wide field for free discussion 
and enquiry, and affords not only room but a place for almost 
any subject connected with natural history, I may, perhaps, 
be allowed to offer, through the medium of your pages, a few 
remarks on some of the advantages and disadvantages attend- 
ant on works which come out in periodical numbers, confining 
myself, however, to such as relate to natural history. Of 
such works there is now no lack: we have Floras and Faunas, 
Magazines, Miscellanies, Registers, Cabinets, Monographs, 
and Enumerations, in abundance, together with Illustrations, 
zoological, entomological, and ornithological, besides a for- 
midable phalanx (formidable, I mean, to the pockets of the 
purchasers) of ‘Transactions, the result of the joint wisdom 
and abilities of those learned bodies, our scientific societies. 
I do not complain of the number of these publications; on 
the contrary, I wish to see it increase; for, as it is morally 
impossible for a man of moderate private fortune to purchase 
any thing like a// of them, it is desirable that there should be 
an ample supply, out of which to make a judicious selection. 
Of the sort of works in question, I have been, or still am, a 
pur chaser, for my sphere, of a considerable number. I “take 
them in,” as it is called. I have, therefore, some right to 
speak, from experience, of the advantages and disadvantages 
of the system. In stating what I have to offer, I am actuated 
by two motives: first, I would wish to recommend and encou- 
rage periodicals on natural history, as being a highly useful, 
colivenient: and agreeable mode of publication ; and, secondly, 
Vou. Ill. — No. 14. x 
