298 
THE MEDITERRANEAN NATURALIST 
should be made for the more effectual protection i 
of the islands fisheries. At the present time con- 
siderable latitude- is allowed both as regards the ! 
methods that are practiced, and the times at which j 
the fishing is carried on. This is not as it should j 
be. No other food supply can take the place of i 
fish ; and the fisheries of the islands under ade- 
quate protection and judicious management will 
always be an unfailing and increasing source of 
wealth. It is to be hoped, therefore, that H. E- 
will think fit either to directly sanction the more 
reasonable of the restrictions proposed, or to ap- 
point a special commission to inquire into the me- 
rits of the question. 
The ninth member of “ Natural Science" has 
been issued. Among the numerous articles which 
it contains we especially note. “The Evolution of 
consciousness” by by Prof. C. ' L. Morgan. “Pri- 
maeval Man” by W. G. Smith, E.L.S., “The Evo- 
lution of Sharks’ Teeth” by A. S. Woodward, 
F.L.S., “The Walk of Anthropods” by G. H. 
Carpenter, B.Se., “The Falling of Leaves” A. B. 
Bendle, F.L.S., “Norwich Museum” H. Woodward, 
LL.D, F.R.S. 
portance. Here is an opportunity for our young 
graduates. 
It is very gratifying to observe that :ae cor- 
respondence on “Birds and Insects which has 
filled so many columns of the local press during 
the past few months is now beginning to bear good 
fruit. 
We have received several communications from 
Maltese landowners telling us that they have is- 
sued imperative orders to their tenants not to net 
or allow others to net or shoot, the small birds 
found on their lands. This is a step in the right 
direction — but why do not these gentlemen follow 
it up by urging for legislative measures to put a 
stop to the wholesale “Bird Murder ’ which goes 
on in the Islands from the 1st of January to the 
31st of December. Under the circum stances can 
it be wondered at that the Islands are over run 
with insect pests, or that the agriculturist finds 
himself iu such straitened circumstances win a 
rent day comes ? 
Correspondence. 
Birds v. Insects. 
A paper on “The Marl Beds of the Maltese 
Islands by Mr. John H. Cooke F. G. S. was read 
on the 23rd of last month, before the Geological 
Society. The suite of Maltese Marl fossils which 
Mr. Cooke collected and which Professor G. Capel- 
lini and Dr. Simon el li of Bologna assisted in 
determining, is the most complete set that has ever 
been got together. The paper will appear in these 
columns at an early date. 
The old biologi. al station which was started at 
Cette eleven years ago under the auspices of the 
University of Montpellier is to be replaced by 
new and spacious buildings, the laboratories of 
which are already far advanced in construction. 
Considering the suitability of the Maltese Islands 
for the study of the marine biology of the Medi- 
terranean, it is much to be regretted that no 
similar institution has been established on their 
shores. The marine fauna and iiora of Maltese 
waters offer themselves as a rich, and practically 
untouched, field of research the careful working 
out of which would be attended with .scien- 
tific and i conomic results of the very greatest im- 
Strada Forni, Valletta. 
November 29th 1S92. 
Sir, 
In a recent review of a report of the State En- 
tomologist of the United States dept, of Agriculture 
the Journal of Science says: “Cotton, clover . grain, 
the vine, the orange, the sugar-cane, the potato, 
the cabbage, — all have their special enemies. 
Fortunately they are to a certain extent kept 
under by insectivorous birds and other foes. Hence 
one of the most important duties of an agricul- 
tural entomologist is to warn the public against 
destroying their allies ”. (The italics are mine.) I 
would commend this passage to the attention of 
those gentlemen who have of late been opposing, 
in the columns of the local press, protective mea- 
sures for the farmer’s feathered allies. At the 
same time I would beg to suggest, that it would 
be far more to the point if the statements made 
in your recent articles on the insect pests ot the 
island, and the utility oi certain species of birds 
in keeping their numbers down, were to be 
carefully studied and rationally sifted instead of 
being so arrogantly denied by those whom we have 
a right to expect should know better. 
Yours truly 
A. Jervis 
Editor, J. E Cooke: B.Sc„ F.G.S.. Malta 
