94 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCfETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
to the catalogue, it will be found that, while it contains those 
works of a more strictly technical nature which are of interest 
chiefly to practical workers in the different branches, there are 
also not a few of general, and even popular, interest, from which 
all may derive instruction in an attractive form. 
REPORT OP THE CURATOR. 
Colonel Drummond Hay stated that the arrangements 
in the several departments of the Museum are going on 
steadily, though slowly, as the workers are few. Amongst 
vertebrates, the birds make the most show, but, as is 
the case both with them and the mammals, there are 
several species that would be most difficult to procure (to 
use a birdstuffer’s term) “in the flesh,” and for the purpose 
of representing thoroughly the Perthshire fauna, it is 
essent’al that as many species as possible should be forth¬ 
coming. The Zoological Committee, therefore, the more 
effec ually to carry this out, have, in revising the list of the 
birds and mammals, indicated in the circular that stuffed 
specimens in good condition (that is to say not mothed) 
of any in the list, which have been got in the county, 
will be gladly received, either as a donation, or a deposit 
on loan for as long a period as the owner may think fit. 
Consequently he was glad to announce that several mounted 
specimens have been already received either on loan or as 
contributions. Some of these have proved especially rare, 
and, without this assistance, they could scarcely ever have 
been obtained ; and, in the Society’s name, he would here 
take the opportunity of expre sing sincere thanks for 
the same. We must not forget either to add the thanks of 
the Society to all those who had so kindly contributed by 
sending birds “in the flesh.” Among these stands con¬ 
spicuous the name of Sir Robert Menzies, who has been 
most kind in the number of birds he has forwarded, as may 
be seen in the hawks and fine series of game birds in the 
cases upstairs. We can only hope that others may 
follow the good example set them by also tendering thei 
aid to the Society, which aid is still much needed if the 
Museum is to be opened soon to the public, as is contem¬ 
plated. 
the rise and progress of the magazine founded in 1S71, remarked, 
of the Scottish Naturalist Like all magazines of a similar 
kind, its progress has not been oue unattended with cifficulty. 
Like them, the ranks both of its contributors and subscribers 
are not unlimited, and it may be that some day. from lack of one 
or the other, its career may be cut short. How many sub¬ 
scribers there may be to it in our Society I am unable to say, but I 
have little doubt but that there might be many more, and con¬ 
sidering its origin and the low price, may say that there ought 
'to be many more.” Unfortunately, what was then suggested as 
a possibility has now become a probability, as the publishers 
(Messrs Blackwood & Sons)have decided to give up the magazine, 
though wiUing to enter into arrangements for its continued 
publication if the expenses are guaranteed. When the Society 
| founded the magazine in 3S71, it was thought to be rather a bold 
i venture on the part of a young and undistinguished Society, and 
! none of those who launched it anticipated for it a career of more 
than two or three years. Their anticipations were agreeably 
disappointed, From the time that the magazine was founded 
till that when, on account of the difficulties of publication by 
those not in the trade, it was made over to M essrs Blackwood in. 
1878, the Scottish Naturalist paid its own expenses, and there 
was a good demand for it not only in this country, but, in the 
way of exchange, also in Europe and America. But of late years 
several magazines of a simi'ar nature have been founded, and 
have no doubt drawn to themselves some of the supporters of 
our magazine. Still, it must be confessed that, if they did net 
desire the cessation of the magazine, the members of this 
Society should have given to it much greater support than they 
did. That they failed to do so is not altogether very creditable 
to the Society. But if it- has ceased to exist, the consolation 
remains that during the twelve years of its existence it has not 
been without some influence on the study of the Natural His¬ 
tory of Scotland, and that many valuable papers appeared in its 
pages. To the editor the work of the past twelve years has been 
a labour of love. It has brought him many kind correspondents, 
and though at times the work was—as all who have been con¬ 
nected with a similar undertaking will understand—arduous, 
and sometimes thankless, he cannot regret the time and thought 
expended on the Scottish Naturalist. 
On the motion of Sheriff Barclay, seconded by Lord Provost 
Hewat, the reports were unanimously adopted. 
ELECTION OF COUNCIL FOR 1S83-84. 
REPORT OF THE E D I T 0 R. 
BY DR BUCHANAN WHITE, F.L.S. 
Tlte past year has not been distinguished by the publication, 
on the part of the Society, of any important work. The usual 
part of the “Proceedings” was issued in due course to the 
members, and that, with the addition of a list of the members 
and a catalogue of the Library, is all that the Society has sent to 
press. But if the year has not been marked by any unusual pub¬ 
lication, it has unfortunately another claim to distinction in the 
annals of the Society. Rather more than a year ago, the Editor, 
in recording briefly the past history of the Society, and tracing 
The following members were unanimously elected as 
the Council for the session 1S83-84:— 
Colonel H. M. Drummond Hay, C.M.Z.S., of Seggiedeii, 
President. 
John Stewart, Esq. 
Magnus Jackson, Esq., F.S. A.Sc. 
D. M. Smythe, Esq., yr. of Methven. 
S. T. Ellison, Esq. 
John Young, Esq., C.E., Tay Street, Secretary. 
John Macgregor, Esq., Post Office, Treasurer. 
, 
Vice-Presidents. 
