INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS. 
xi 
have been all required, and that the call is still onward. 
Professor Bell's edition will, in all probability, be an expensive 
one, for we are sure no pains or expense will be spared in any 
of the departments ; it will therefore not be in circulation 
among certain classes. Now in a work so much read, and likely 
still to be so, when it can be obtained at so moderate a charge 
as that of the volumes of the "Illustrated Library," it is essen- 
tial that explanations should accompany it, and this is one reason 
for notes to such a book. Since the time of the letters from 
Selborne vast advances have been made in all branches of 
science. White was one of those who mainly assisted or tempted 
persons to observe. Studying, searching out, and inquiring 
himself, he incited others ; and in the letters he writes to 
Pennant and Barrington, he often asks questions, starts sub- 
jects for discussion, and brings forward objects new to the 
existing knowledge of the physical character of the district ; 
and it is very important that all those should be explained to 
the young reader, or to the person perhaps only entering upon 
the study of nature, and this it will be our object to do in any 
notes and commentary we may now add, and which can be done 
we think sufficiently for every purpose, even by one who has not 
seen the place or resided in the district. But there are other 
phenomena, which can only be illustrated by one who is 
resident, and has resided for some time, and continuously upon 
the spot. Sixty years, however short that time may appear, will 
produce important differences in particular localities ; even 
during White's incumbency he complains of the changes that 
are occurring, and the disturbance to the " Ferse naturae," the 
increase or destruction of wood, acts remarkably on the Fauna 
and Flora and on the climate ; so does drainage, particularly 
that of any larger piece of water, and cultivation influences very 
materially the habits of the wild animals. Do the stone curlews 
now abound as they did in White's time, and is their shrill whistle 
yet heard at the parsonage ? Do the ring-ousels still find their 
resting places as formerly, are all the summer visitants yet 
found, and have no new ones been added and become common ? 
How does the meteorology now agree with White's tables ? 
What are the chancres in the Hano*er and in Wolmer Forest ? these 
are all subjects for Professor Bell's edition, besides many others 
which the place itself will suggest, and which he will not omit 
to introduce. Meanwhile, let those who wish to hand down the 
annals of their own districts, study to follow White's example, 
