360 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
’communication, in the shape of queries and answers, critical observations, 
between your correspondents, and therefore I may, as an humble student of the 
vast field of Nature, be permitted to proceed to the subject of my present com¬ 
munication without further preface or apology. 
I wish then to inquire, which are the best works in the several departments of 
Natural History, especially Zoology and Botany ? First, I should be glad to be 
informed as to the general and more comprehensive works, and, secondly, as to 
the monographs, treatises, memoirs, &c. I should like the size of the works to 
be specified; and where particularly good accounts of the economy, &c., of any 
one species have been published in the Transactions of learned Societies, or in 
periodicals, &c., it might be of use to myself and others to specify these. 
Although I am but a beginner, it is not to be supposed that I have no books 
whatever relating to Natural History, though possibly I may not have the best. 
What I have been recommended is, first, to obtain a general idea of each branch, 
and then to descend to minutiae. Without the mind of a Linnaeus, a Cuvier, 
or a SwAiNsoN, I am fully aware that it would be impossible to advance science 
in any way without attaching oneself particularly to some department; but 
perhaps, by knowing something of;the collateral branches, we may be assisted in 
the particular study we have selected. Were I not certain that your reply to 
my query would be of eminent service to others as well as myself, I would not 
have ventured to occupy so much of your space. The most convenient plan of 
arranging the list would probably be to make Mammalogy, Ornithology, Ento¬ 
mology, &c., the heads of columns, with subdivisions under each for “ general 
works,” ‘‘ monographs,” “ treatises and papers in periodicals,” &c., but this, of 
course, you will manage according to your own judgment, and doubtless to the 
best advantage. 
I am, Sir, with much respect, 
Your obedient servant, 
Alton Hall^ Gloucestershire^ Charles Hanway. 
Sept. 27, 1837. 
QOur correspondent appears to expect that we shall ourselves reply to his 
query. Our usual plan is to allow contributors to answer all questions of this 
kind. This we shall accordingly do in the present instance, confident that we 
have many readers both willing and able to furnish a list of works on one or 
more branches of Natural History. But should no one come forward, we will 
then supply the catalogue, to the best of our ability. Meanwhile we may 
observe, that M. Percheron has published a catalogue raisonne of entomological 
works, and that our Ornithologists Text-book contains notices of ornithological 
books, treatises, &c,^Ed.] 
