VALEDICTORY. 



IT is always a wrench to bid adieu to those with whom our 

 intercourse has been pleasant ; and the Editor, during the 

 past eight years, has met with much kindness in his labour of 

 love, and gratefully acknowledges the good-will that has been 

 shown to him by the contributors of the numerous valuable papers 

 that have appeared in the pages of this Journal, and also by the 

 subscribers who have recognised his desire to make it a worthy 

 representative of the Naturalists of Scotland. That the Scottish 

 Naturalist, during its twenty years of existence, has done good 

 service in promoting the study of Natural History in Scotland, 

 will, we trust, be the verdict of many in the future, as well as of 

 those who actually supported it ; and w r e believe that its pages 

 will prove to be indispensable to all who are interested in such 

 study. 



That its usefulness might have been augmented had it received 

 the support which it was hoped would have been afforded by 

 many who were able to give it, both as contributors and as sub- 

 scribers, has been, from an early period, recognised with regret by 

 those concerned in its management. It has, for the most part, 

 been carried on without actual deficit ; and the Editor has willingly- 

 given his labour for so good an end. But while it has been 

 willingly given, he has found it so great a tax on his time that he 

 has most reluctantly been forced to the conclusion that he cannot 

 continue to give what tends to prevent other and more pressing 

 work from being accomplished. But in so doing he feels that he 

 is breaking an old partnership ; since he has been connected 

 with the Journal since Dr. Buchanan White issued its first number 

 in January, 187 1. 



That Scotland should support a Journal devoted to the Natural 

 History of the country cannot be questioned. May it soon appear 

 on a scale, and with support, worthy of so good an aim. 



There now remains only the pleasant duty of thanking all from 

 whom, during the past eight years, so much kindness has been 

 experienced by the 



Editor of the "Scottish Naturalist/' 



With reference to the foregoing, the Publishers have appointed 

 as the future Editor of the " Scottish Naturalist," 



Mr. W. EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., 

 Member of the British Ornithologists' Union, etc., of the Natural 

 History Department, Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. 



It is requested that all Communications in future be forwarded 

 to this Address. 



