On the Digestive Organs of Birds. 125 



it was most probably brought within the sphere of their notice. 

 Sounder views of the requirements of science ought to satisfy us, 

 that he who can show good reason for expunging a plant from the 

 list of our strictly indigenous species, does some real service to- 

 wards the attainment of truth, whilst he who needlessly swells his 

 catalogue by the admission of a species on doubtful authority, throws 

 a decided obstacle in its way, and surely doubly puerile is that va- 

 nity, by which some are said to have been influenced, who have 

 one year sown the seeds of a rare, or even of an exotic species, in 

 an unfrequented spot, that they might become the earliest discove- 

 rers of a new native ! There is enough in all conscience to 

 puzzle us in our search after truth, without the problem being 

 thus complicated by the intentional introduction of error. For 

 the purpose of comparing their own observations of the geogra- 

 phical range and distribution of our native species with what is 

 already known on these subjects, our local botanists may consult the 

 recent treatises of Mr Watson with the greatest advantage. At- 

 tention to these and other like points of general interest will add 

 a very considerable charm to the attractions which the study of 

 botany possesses, even to him who is content with merely collecting 

 and arranging his specimens. For we find it too often happens 

 with those who are merely plant collectors, that the pleasure which 

 they at first experienced, when every species was new to them, 

 and afforded a fresh subject for admiration, and every rare speci- 

 men brought with it a still greater delight in the acquisition, that 

 they sooner or later became wearied of the pursuit. When they no 

 longer find new or rare plants to rouse their attention, they give up 

 the study altogether, or attempt to make no further progress in it. 

 But this would never happen, if they would only chalk out for them- 

 selves some line of original research, upon which they might more 

 especially fix their attention and make it their primary object to be 

 continually searching for facts which bore upon it. 



II. — Observations on the Digestive Organs of Birds. By William 

 Macgillivray, A. M., F. R. S. E., M. W. S. Conservator of the 

 Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. 

 The alimentary canal of birds not having been subjected to that 

 kind of investigation which might lead to important zoological re- 

 sults, I have recently directed my attention to it, with the view of 

 comparing its modifications of structure and form. It has seemed 

 to me to be entitled to very special consideration, both on account 



