154 
A SCIENTIFIC APPRECIATION [oh. yi. 
this much neglected, though not uninteresting, part 
of Scotland, with reference to its zoology, I thought 
it might be useful to describe some or all of its 
numerous animals. I therefore at once commenced 
an examination of the mammalia, birds, reptiles, 
fishes, mollusca, insects, and radiata, the results 
of which I intend, in due time, to lay before the 
public. Thinking, however, that the pupils whom 
I have to initiate in the science to which my 
labours have, for many years, been directed, could 
not acquire much practical acquaintance with most 
of these tribes of animals, in the winter season, 
when engaged with their various academical studies, 
I selected a branch of zoology, which I thought 
capable of affording them greater facilities for 
observation than any other.” 
In commenting on this preface, Prof. Trail 
remarks:— 
“ The promise thus given in the commencement 
of his tenure of duty in Aberdeen was well kept up 
during the eleven years that he held the Professor¬ 
ship. He taught zoology and geology in winter, 
and botany in summer; and into all he brought 
the same spirit of inquiry. There was no provision 
within the University, until many years after, for 
work in the laboratory; but MacGillivray delighted 
in excursions, to which he welcomed those who 
would come ; and few teachers were more fitted to 
aid beginners in such studies. The materials 
collected in his excursions were employed in the 
formation of a museum to illustrate the courses of 
study.” 1 
MacGillivray was the originator of a Natural 
1 “Natural Science in the Aberdeen Universities ,Aberdeen 
Quatercentenary Studies , p. 170. 
