264 The Naturalist. 



benefit science has derived from the record of his observa- 

 tions. 



On the first appearance of this periodical, we did not think 

 its contents calculated to affect, in any material degree, the 

 march of enquiry into either the animal, vegetable, or mineral 

 kingdom ; and when, a short time since, a prospectus fell 

 into our hands, announcing a change in the editorial arrange- 

 ments, the perusal of that document by no means impressed 

 us with favourable anticipations of future improvement. Puff- 

 ings in any shape, we have an utter aversion to ; but, in 

 matters professedly connected with the advancement of 

 science, the slightest indication of it cannot be too carefully 

 avoided ; and though, owing to the credulity of some classes 

 of our countrymen, a tradesman may find it answer his pur- 

 pose to advertise his goods as fifty per cent better than those 

 of his neighbours, yet we doubt whether the employment of 

 similar means on the part of either editors or proprietors has 

 a tendency to increase the respectability, or promote the cir- 

 culation, of a scientific journal. 



" The proprietors of the Naturalist beg to return their 

 sincere acknowledgments to the public for the very favour- 

 able reception it has been pleased to give this periodical." 

 The "proprietors" farther state, " It may be affirmed, without 

 fear of contradiction, that in no other monthly publication on 

 the subject will be found half so much or such various intel- 

 ligence as in the Naturalist, at the same price." Had not our 

 copy of the above been forwarded through the proper au- 

 thorities, we should certainly have supposed that some wag 

 had been playing off a joke at the expense of the "proprie- 

 tors " and " eminent scientific men" by whose assistance the Na- 

 turalist was to have been carried on. So favourable was the 

 reception given by the public to this periodical, that it was dis- 

 continued after six numbers had appeared ; and the scientific 

 world would, probably, never have been in possession of the 

 seventh, but for the enterprising spirit of Mr. Neville Wood. 

 How far the keeping the public in a state of suspense 

 during two or three months was a proper return for favours 

 received, is a point that, perhaps, we ought not to venture 

 an opinion upon; but the "proprietors" very judiciously ob- 

 serve, in their notice to correspondents, that " this delay has 

 enabled them to effect various important improvements in, 

 and additions to, the work ; and, as they promise, if liberally 

 supported, to continue the publication regularly, they trust 

 the omission will be forgiven." These alterations, seven in 

 number, have been approved by several individuals eminent 

 in natural science. The first is the omission of the coloured 



