34 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 
The object of the Union would be to link up the isolated 
“efforts of the scattered local societies, and this at first through 
the medium of a common magazine. We have no doubt 
but that, with assured support from local societies and the 
attainment of an increased circulation, a magazine worthy 
in all respects of Scotland and Scottish natural history could 
be produced. The Scottzsh Naturalist, with a long tradition 
of good service behind it, would make an excellent stock on 
which to graft new developments. It might be possible 
further to link up the interests of the societies by a series of 
annual conferences, held each year in a different area, but 
this and other communal projects, such as excursions and 
inter-society lecture courses, must grow with the growth of 
the Union. 
The advantages of common publication are obvious. 
Much of the good work of local societies has no effective 
circulation outside the area immediately concerned. Our 
left hand knoweth not what our right hand doeth, and in the 
pursuit of knowledge this is fatal. Let but the investigations 
in any district be known to all, and the study of nature in 
Scotland, gaining in knowledge and in breadth of view, will 
advance with new unity of purpose towards the common 
goal. The chief disadvantage is that the attainment of a 
common means of expression may possibly entail the 
disappearance of a number of local publications, which have 
behind them long and honourable histories. But the times 
have almost decided the fate of the local natural history 
publication, and societies must decide whether the time has 
not also arrived when the best needs of their own members 
and of the study of natural history in Scotland would not be 
better served by a courageous effort at unity, than by a 
struggle, which becomes more desperate year after year, 
to ensure the continuance of the local “Proceedings” or 
“Transactions.” 
What, then, is the proposal? That all Scottish natural 
history societies, without disturbing their own internal 
arrangements, should band together in a Scottish Naturalists’ 
Union; that they should appoint a representative committee 
to manage the affairs of the Union, one of the first duties 
