Natural-History Collectors. 3645 



Europeans. Travelling in Central America is no easy matter ; the 

 roads are shocking, and infested by bands of robbers and assassins, 

 called in the country " lucios." He states he is going shortly to the 

 Altos (Cordilleras) of Guatemala, and hopes the air there will soon 

 restore his health ; and he expects to collect many fine things. The 

 small collection now sent is from the neighbourhood of St. Thomas. 

 M. Deby states that his energy is not abated, either by privations or 

 dangers ; and that by next post I may expect a long letter, detailing 

 his excursions, notes on Natural History, &c. 



Me. F. Strange.* — This well-known Australian naturalist, who 

 has been in England for some months, leaves in a few days for his old 

 hauuts, to further investigate the Natural History of that great continent. 

 Judging from what he has already done, and from his great zeal and 

 activity, we may fully expect to receive many more novelties from him, 

 which I will duly report, as they arrive, in the pages of the ' Zoologist.' 



Mr. R. W. Plant.* — This gentleman (who is not related to Mr. N. 

 Plant before mentioned), a botanist of some repute, is now engaged in 

 investigating the Natural History and Botany of the Zoolu country, 

 South Africa. Judging from the four consignments which I have re- 

 ceived from him, consisting of Orchids, bulbs, seeds, shells and insects, 

 which contained many novelties, and from the deep interest and real 

 love that he takes in the subject, we may expect that he will make 

 many very valuable and interesting discoveries. 



Mr. C. Zeyher.* — This well known Cape botanist and naturalist 

 is still engaged in forming collections, but from the continuance of the 

 CafFre war, he has not been able of late to do much. I have, however, 

 within the last twelve months, received from him several cases of bulbs 

 and woods, and have three sets of his botanical collections on sale. 



Mr. H. W. Bates. — We have before us three letters from this most 

 ardent and skilful collector, all addressed to Mr. S. Stevens, written at 

 Santarem, and dated respectively, April 12, May 17, and June 4. Mr. 

 Bates appears to be in excellent health, and to be collecting as labo- 

 riously and as successfully as ever. We have Mr. Stevens' kind per- 

 mission to make extracts, but are unable to spare room for them in the 

 present number. 



* Communicated by Mr. S. Stevens. 



