100 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
in asking for this help, as the collection is not for the 
aggrandisement of the Society, but for the benefit of the 
whole community of Perthshire. Should this help be 
given, as I sincerely trust it will, the Museum may, I hope, 
be ready for throwing open to the public early this autumn, 
and, as I have said before, free of all charge. (Applause.) 
The working bees, however, are comparatively few ; the 
sooner, therefore, that things are sent in, the sooner 
will the Museum be ready. All specimens forwarded, 
either as gifts, or lent on deposit, should be addressed 
directly to the Perthshire Natural History Museum, Tay 
Street, Perth. 
On the motion of Mr Athol Macgregor, East Wood, 
Dunkeld, seconded by Rev. Mr Tait, St Madoes, a hearty 
vote of thanks was given to Colonel Drummond-Hay for 
his excellent address. 
April 12th, 1883. 
Magnus Jackson, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 
donations. 
The following donations were announced:—Goosander 
(male) in full plumage; also, four ptarmigan in autumn 
plumage fromRannoch (skins in very fine condition)—from 
Athole Macgregor, Esq., Eastwood, Dunkeld; badger 
(mounted specimen)—from Charles Murray, Esq. of Tay- 
mount, Stanley; rook and rook’s nest with eggs, and wood 
pigeons (male and female)—from Colonel Drummond-Hay 
cf Seggieden ; stoat (a very fine specimen)—from Mrs 
Struan Robertson, Croiscraig, Rannoch; glass rope sponge 
( TTvalonema Sieboldii) —from Dr Lilburn. 
EXHIBITS. 
Dr White, on behalf of Dr Lilburn, exhibited speci- 
m :ns of the Glass Rope Sponge (Hyalonema Sieboldii). 
NEW MEMBERS. 
The following were electedMr Samuel Walker, 
Siiarp’s Institution; and Mr John Sinton, teacher, Cherry- 
bank. 
The following were nominated for election at next 
meeting:—Mr Andrew Heiton, architect; Rev. David 
Macfarlane; Dr Eerguson; Mrs Struan Robertson; Mr 
Peter Wilson, 73 Leonard Street; Mr John Carnochan, 
manager, Perth Cemeteries; and Miss Forbes, Athole 
Sties' - . 
THE EDITORSHIP. 
It appeared from the minutes of a meeting of Council 
that Dr Buchanan White had resigned the office of editor, 
and that it had been agreed to leave the duties in the 
hands of the Council at present. 
“THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST.” 
It also appeared from the minutes that the Council had 
agreed to discontinue the Scottish Naturalist, on the ground 
that the “ Proceedings ” were to be extended, and would, 
therefore, take its place in the meantime. 
The following paper was read :— 
“ The Cultivation of Fruit on Waste Lands and Pleasure 
Grounds .” By Dr Robertson, Errol. 
I have no doubt many members of this Society will 
wonder why I have chosen such a subject for a paper as 
“ The Cultivation of Fruit on Waste Lands and Pleasure 
Grounds,” seeing there are so many famous arboriculturists 
amongst us, and some even whose daily business it is to 
work among trees of all kinds ; whereas I am but a very 
humble amateur in the pursuit. My reason for choosing 
such a subject, being an amateur, is, that it has been a 
pleasant pastime to me—one which has given me a very 
great deal of pleasure and some b'ttle profit—and that 
being so, I feel anxious to enlist others in the same agree¬ 
able pursuit, feeling perfectly assured that if it gives them 
but half the pleasure it has afforded me, they will be 
amply repaid. 
If, in preparing this paper, I have unconsciously tres¬ 
passed on any one formerly read at any meeting, you will 
kindly pardon me, as it is my misfortune to have been at 
very few of the regular meetings on account of having to 
attend meetings of other Societies more immediately con¬ 
nected with my profession. 
Since the time our grandfather Adam was placed in 
Eden to keep it and dress it, many a noble mind, many a 
diligent hand, and many a happy hour have been pleasantly 
and profitably employed in cultivating the various kinds of 
fruit which a kind Providence has made to grow on this 
fair earth, which might be made much fairer still if 
only half the time that is idly spent at street-corners, and 
in beer-shops, and in a thousand andoneotherplaces, where 
neither true pleasure nor profit is obtained, were spent in 
the cultivation of fruit. I long to see the time when 
our horny-handed artizan, our palefaced clerk, our 
young men from behind the counter, as well as our 
teeming millions from the mills, by the aid of cheap 
morning and evening trains, will be able to live in 
