Hints for Improvements, 185 



Art. V. Hints for Improvements. 



The Zoological Society and Garden. — After what has taken place at the 

 Medico-Botanical Society {Gard Mag., vol. vi. p. 104.), and at the Hor- 

 ticultural Society (Ibid., p. 104.), would it not be wise in the council of the 

 Zoological Society to pass a by-law to the effect that every year a regular 

 professional accountant should be employed to draw up a complete state- 

 ment of the accounts of the Society ; I mean such a one as would give one 

 merchant a complete idea of the circumstances of another merchant ,• and 

 that copies of these annual statements should be sent to all the members of 

 the Society ? The treasurer of this Society being the honorary secretary 

 of the Horticultural Society is rather ominous ; but I hope he will have 

 good sense enough to resign. — F. Z. S. Feb. 10. 1830. 



A Depot fo}- the Exchange of Natural History Articles. — Sir, The naturalist, whom profes- 

 sional or other duties confine to a strictly local dwelling, often experiences great difficulty in 

 procuring specimens of plants and animals from other quarters, when desirous of studying some- 

 thing of Nature's productions beyond those of his own immediate vicinity ; and, if not fortunate 

 in distant or locomotive scientific friends, it becomes almost an impossibility to him, by reason of 

 the local habitats of so many of our animal and vegetable productions. To remedy this incon- 

 venience, felt more or less by all naturalists, and to afford facility for the exchange of specimens, 

 it would be very desirable for those interested in natural history, and forming museums or col- 

 lections, to have some fixed place where their supernumerary specimens might be sent, and from 

 Avhich they could receive others wanted, either in exchange for their own, or by payment of & 

 certain price for each specimen. I am strongly persuaded that if some competent individual in 

 town would allot a room and portion of his time to this scheme, it might be made to answer as a 

 pecuniary speculation, and be of great general utility to naturalists. He might obtain remune . 

 ration for his services either by stipulated charges on all exchanges effected, or by yearly subscrip- 

 tions or «itrance fees from all persons placing specimens in his hands. As personal attendance 

 in town would be inconvenient to many who would be most likely to support and be benefited by 

 such an establishment, some plan must be adopted to facilitate the exchange or sale of specimens. 

 Suppose appointed individuals take Smith's English Flora, Stephens's Catalogue of British Insects, 

 Sec, and, running over the species, mark each one with a number corresponding to its rarity, or 

 other circumstance enhancing its value; these numbers being so arranged, that one species 

 marked 12 shall be worth four specimens of those numbered 3 ; one of No. 60 be equal in value 

 to five of No. 12, and to twenty of No. 3. These numbers might be regarded as stamping a com- 

 mercial value, and would thereby enable the naturalist, who might have none to give in return, or 

 not wish to receive any, to sell or buy, which would still further increase the facilities of obtaining 

 desired species. The numbering or pricing could easily be arranged, by estimating all mineralo- 

 gical, botanical, entomological, and conchological species as No. 3 (or od. each), unless otherwise 

 stated ; those regarded as more valuable having an appropriate number attached to them. Ver- 

 tebrate animals, dead, prepared, or alive, should, in like manner, have a minimum price for each 

 state, and an increasing scale. An establishment of this nature might be limited to the pro- 

 ductions of the British Isles, or include exotic natural history. A general catalogue of species, 

 with the numbers affixed, might be published as a guide to those sending or requiring specimens. 

 By inserting these hints in your Magazine, the attention of naturalists may be directed to the 

 utility of the plan here proposed ; and if thev can elicit any advice from yourself on the subject, 

 it will much gratify. Yours, — //. C. W. Edinburgh, Oct. 1829. 



A Society of Naturalists. — Sir, I am much pleased to_find the suggestions of your correspond- 

 ent K. (p. 286.) followed up by those of J. R. in the last Number of jour Magazine (p. 395.), 

 relative to the formation of a society for the encouragement of natural history, as there can be 

 little doubt that, with some trouble and attention, one might be formed on such a plan as would 

 meet with very general supjiort ; for although we have the Linnean, Medico-Botanical, Geolo- 

 gical, and Zoological Societies, yet, I think, if one were formed in the more comprehensive 

 nature of a Society of Naturalists, many might be induced, and would be very glad, to join it, who 

 would not like the expense of subscribing, or ever think of belonging, to four or five separate 

 societies ; and I beg to suggest that the society should be of a more sociable description than most 

 of the present scientific societies ; that is, I mean to say that the meetings should be more fre- 

 quent, so as to bring the members more in contact and better acquainted vath each other, and 

 afford opportunities of imparting their knowledge and observations. 



If any thing of the kind alluded to by your correspondents should be seriously entertained, and 

 a meeting for the purpose proposed, I hope you will give notice of it in your Magazine, as 

 myself and many of my friends would be glad to join and support it as far as in our power. I am. 

 Sir, &c. — JV. A. Sept. 1829. 



The Idea of a Botanical Society, with a garden in the Regent's Park, like that of the Zoological 

 Society, for the purpose of introducing and improving new species of ornamental plants, is 

 suggested by — An Admirer of Nature. October 3. 1829. 



Rarer Birds, when and where shot. — I venture to propose to you the propriety of devoting a 

 small space in your Magazine to the mention of the rarer British birds, when and where shot. I 

 conceive the information would be valuable to numerous persons now forming cabinets of th< 

 British birds. I have myself received three species within these few days, which I have nevci* 

 seen or heard of in this neighbourhood, and have anxiously looked for; namely, the Grey Pha» 

 larope (Phalaropus lob'Mus), Black-throated Diver (Colymbus arcticus), and Stone Falcon (Falct.r- 

 Uiihoi'dXco).^ Edward P. Thompson. Dover, Dec. 8. 1829. 



