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THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



and a number of fine species were reported. It was quite dark when we 

 reached the " Lang Toon o } Paisley," and here we were entertained to a re- 

 freshing tea by our worthy leader, which detained us to rather a late hour. 

 Glasgow was reached at 10 p.m., every one thoroughly delighted with his 

 afternoon's outing on the celebrated " Braes." — JoHtf Mackay, Hon. Sec. 



TO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



By THE EDITOR. 



Since the cessation of the weekly issue of the Young Naturalist, the gossip- 

 ing articles that generally occupied the first page have been discontinued. 

 It is far from certain that this has been for the advantage of that class of 

 readers for whom the Young Naturalist was mainly intended. Beginners in 

 any study have a great deal to learn, and a great many little details to find 

 out, that can no doubt be best gathered from the experience of those who 

 have been at the work for sometime. The familiarity assumed then gave 

 opportunity for dropping hints and suggestions, that have been of great ser- 

 vice *to many just beginning to collect. In the more formal articles that have 

 since appeared this advantage has been lost. Believing that whenever one 

 asked a question there were always a larger number to whom the reply would 

 be both interesting and advantageous, at that time, instead of replying to 

 questions by post, articles containing the information sought were written 

 whenever such information was likely to be useful to others. Sjnce then 

 queries of that kind have been answered by letter, and as it entailed a con- 

 siderable amount of correspondence, the replies were often cut shorter than 

 they ought to have been, particularly when the same question was asked two 

 or three times in close succession, or when other matters were more pressing. 

 Again the attention of beginners was then called from time to time to new 

 points, discussions often originated over a crude hint, and there is no doubt 

 that all this, however stale it might be to those who knew as much or more 

 than I did, was of great advantage to many. I had a fond hope when the 

 Young Naturalist was commenced, to revive the glorious days of the Weekly 

 Intelligencer, but I was not a Stainton to begin with, and the novelty was 

 worn off, and could not have been restored. Still I am pleased to think that 

 the Young Naturalist has, in its way, assisted many who were just taking up 

 the study of Natural History, and that there are some who look upon it much ! 

 as I for one looked on the dear old Intelligencer. I have frequently been 

 urged to give a monthly article of similar character to those referred to, and 

 propose to do so now, and invite the cordial co-operation of all my readers. 



