220 Northern News. 
cataloguing the specimens is a very serious matter. In addition 
to this chronological record is an alphabetical list of the donors 
of the specimens to each of the departments, together with 
particulars of the objects obtained from them. 
In the chapter devoted to a History of the Libraries is a 
‘List of Current Serial Publications Presented to the British 
Museum (Natural History),’ which appears to be incomplete, 
as we know of one or two items regularly presented which do 
not appear in this list. It is also unsatisfactory to find so many 
of the sets of Transactions, etc., are incomplete. Surely the 
various societies referred to would complete their sets of 
Publications in the national museum were they approached—or, 
at any rate, if they could not do so, a small outlay on the part 
of the authorities would secure the desired publications and 
thus preserve them for all time. Strangely enough, we notice 
that the colonial and foreign publications presented are nearly 
all in sets commencing ‘No. I.,’ whereas from our own country 
complete sets are distinctly in the minority. 
We have pleasure in drawing attention to these valuable 
publications—they should be in every reference library, and 
every naturalist will find them of distinct value. The authorities 
at the Natural History Museum are to be commended on the 
production of the volumes. 
>} &—— 
The Council of the University of Leeds has decided to establish separate 
chairs of zoology and botany. 
‘This year rooks are said to be thicker than ever,’ we read, ‘and rook 
pie is therefore likely to be cheap.’ A beautiful instance of ‘caws’ and 
effect. 
On account of the illness of the Curator of the Haslemere Museum the 
publication of the Museum Gazette is suspended for the present. We trust 
that Mr. Swanton may soon be well again. It is hoped to re-issue the 
journal in January next. 
As his presidential address to the Geologists’ Association Mr. R. S. 
Herries took for his subject ‘On the Constitution and Management of 
Scientific Societies.’ It is printed in Vol. XX., pt. 1., of the Society’s 
Proceedings, just issued. This paper should be carefully read by all those 
concerned in the management of such societies. 
In the new ‘ Lancashire Naturalist’ we notice the Spring Vale Ramblers 
are to have two rambles ‘from Clitheroe to Clitheroe,’ which savours of a 
fishing trip. By the way, fishermen must be grateful to Mr. Alan R. Haig- 
Brown, who, in the same journal, makes the following contribution :—‘ Do 
fishermen juggle with the truth! I sometimes think they get the reputation 
thereof, because, being out often, and alone with Nature, they see sights 
which to the stay-at-home seem incredible.’ The next time we hear our 
angling friends relating details of the incredibly big fish which they xearly 
caught, we must remember that, with the possible exception of a basket and 
flask, they were at the time ‘alone with Nature.’ 
Naturalist, 
