64 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



AN 



ANNUAL GATHERING. 



Our suggestion that this be held in the 

 Cheshire Sand Hills, has met with very 

 general approval, and we publish the follow- 

 ing letters from collectors in the neighbour- 

 hood, as showing that if held in that locality 

 there will be no lack of resident guides and 

 helpers. 



" It is scarcely fair for me to express an 

 opinion, and say that Cheshire Sand Hills 

 is a good place for a general Naturalist's 

 meeting, but as you ask for ideas I take 

 courage. I think that it is one of the very 

 best places that could be chosen. There 

 are so very many naturalists of all kinds 

 residing round about, and being near a 

 terminus, is very easy of access from all 

 towns. I think if a good number turn up— 

 and I have no doubt there will, it ought to 

 be a great success. 



I should also beg to suggest Whit week 

 as preferable to Easter, for with us things 

 are so backward, that for the Lepidopterist 

 or Hymenopterist very little would be taken 

 at Easter ; whereas if it was later, (middle of 

 May I believe) many Lepidopteras, larvae, 

 imagines, and Hymenoptera might be taken. 

 You have had the March experience, and I 

 think you would be much better pleased 

 with Whit week, in May. Wishing you and 

 yours a Happy New year. — I remain, yours 

 truly, 



F. N. Pierce." 



" I may say that I would act as guide to 

 either the Wallasey Sand Hills, or the Sand 

 Hills on this side of the Mersey, or to Bidston 

 Hill, that is if you arrange for the gathering 

 to be in Liverpool. For myself I would 

 prefer Whit Monday instead of Easter 



Monday, as I think the weather would be 

 more suitable lor a naturalist's field day. 



F. Kinder," 



"With reference to the suggested field 

 meeting, I am quite in favour of anything of 

 the kind, as I am sure these sort of things 

 do a lot of good in bringing naturalists 

 together. If the Wallasey Sand Hills are 

 decided upon, and I certainly think that it 

 would be fairly central, I should suggest 

 that it beheld not before Whit Monday, as 

 Good Friday comes early this year — the 

 last week in March I think. Should a 

 number decide to come here, I shaU be very 

 glad to give my assistance in car/ying out 

 any arrangements. 



J. W. Ellis." 



After the above expression of opinion 

 with respect to the date, it will be better to 

 decide at once that it shall be held on 

 Whit Monday, May 14th, at the Cheshire 

 Sand Hills. We have now to ask our 

 readers who think of being present, to 

 communicate with us. We would be glad 

 also to hear from our Liverpool friends with 

 reference to an evening meeting. Will any 

 who are disposed to read papers at such an 

 evening meeting, let us know what the sub- 

 ject would be ; or if suitable subjects were 

 suggested in our next issue, perhaps some 

 one would take them up. We will be glad 

 to have suggestions on this, or any other 

 point connected with the proposed gathering. 

 In our first article we mentioned among 

 other things, the opportunity such a gather- 

 ing would afford for the exhibition of 

 specimens, particularly of variable species. 

 It is for those who propose to be present, to 

 decide whether there should be such an 

 exhibition, and what character it should 

 take. Our own opinion is that it should be 

 attempted, and that it will rest entirely 

 with those who attend, whether this could 

 not be made one of the most attractive parts 

 of the meeting. 



