THE ANNALS OF IRISH ZOOLOGY. ; 483 
of Ireland, by far the greater number of those which we have 
mentioned being more curious than useful. 
In searching for reliable information on any point connected 
with Irish zoology, most people would probably content them- 
selves with referring to the works of Harvey, Thompson, Watters, 
and Patterson, and to the various papers by Sir James Wilde, 
Prof. M‘Coy, Dr. Carte, Dr. Ball, Dr. Scouler, Prof. Leith Adams, 
Messrs. A. G. More, Warren, Barrington, Freke, and other good 
observers in Ireland which have been published in the various 
scientific periodicals above named. But something more than 
this is required. The standard work of Thompson, published 
a quarter of a century ago, now stands in need of revision and 
emendation ; while most of the scattered papers to which we 
have referred may be said to be practically inaccessible to most 
people. A reference to them at least is attended with considerable 
trouble and inconvenience. We stand sadly in need of a good 
modern comprehensive work on the fauna of Ireland, and one 
cannot doubt that the appearance of such a work would be hailed 
with satisfaction by the large and ever-increasing body of British 
zoologists. 
The question is one which, as it seems to us, might well 
be dealt with by the British Association. Considering the 
success which attended the efforts of the Irish Physico-Historical 
Society made in the same cause more than a century ago, with 
slender means and far fewer facilities than now exist for the 
prosecution for scientific research, it cannot be doubted that 
a far greater success would be achieved at the present day 
if some scheme for the investigation of the fauna of Ireland 
were carried out under the auspices of the British Association 
for the Advancement of Science. It would not be difficult to 
appoint for the purpose a committee of specialists, and place a 
fund at their disposal for three years. In that time it would be 
possible to collect and arrange materials for a practically 
exhaustive work on Irish Zoology—a work which, as we have 
said, is much needed; would redound greatly to the credit of 
the British Association; and relieve British naturalists of the 
reproach under which they remain of knowing less of the natural 
productions of their own country than they do of those of the 
antipodes. This suggestion is respectfully offered for the con- 
sideration of those whom it may concern, 
