44 Scientific Reviews. 
\ 
Transactions of the Plinian Society, Session 1828-9. Maclachlan 
& Stewart, Edinburgh, 1829. 
TuE history of the Plinian Society is that of an institution whose 
origin was accidental, but whose progress, from the interest of the 
subjects with which it proposed to occupy itself, and from the en- 
thusiasm of its members, has been unprecedentedly rapid. It con- 
sists principally of young men attached to the University of Edin- 
burgh ; but men of mature judgment, and scientific renown, are also 
constantly to be met with in its halls. Nor would its juvenile cha- 
racter be any objection ; for we know, by the greatest examples bor- 
rowed from the history of science, how much may be accomplished 
by the ardent minds of youth, and how rich the fruit may be which 
springs from communion of sentiment, and co-operation of labour. 
The Plinian Society has hitherto been retired: its members have la- 
boured ; and, with the exception of occasional essays in the Scien= 
tific Journals, they have been content with the suffrage of their 
associates. After seeing a museum and library established, and 
their labours attended by a considerable accession of members, they 
first began to collect the titles of communications and memoirs, 
printing them annually for distribution amongst the members ; and 
we have this year laid before us the transactions of the two last 
sessions, in an improved form, containing a short additional notice 
of the nature and contents of these memoirs, and a hope, warranted 
by its present success, that ensuing sessions will witness an increase 
in their interest and importance. Devoted at once to Natural His- 
tory, Antiquities, and the Physical Sciences in general, it might 
naturally be expected that information of varied character would 
be presented in these pages,—and so it is ;—but it will also be 
found, that when we peruse the different branches of science which 
have been made the subject of communications, that there are indi- 
viduals whose names stand prominent for their exertions in parti- 
cular departments. We had originally intended cursorily noticing 
these labours, classing them under their different heads; and 
while we are sorry that our space will not allow us so pleasing a. 
task, we cannot but express our hope, that, in the ensuing session, 
they will continue with renewed zeal ; for where the genial waters 
of science flow so nobly, a rich and splendid harvest must in time 
be reaped. 
Wuite’s Natural History of Selborne ; mith Additions by Sir | 
WiniiamM JARDINE, Bart. (Vol. XLV. of Constable’s Mis- 
cellany.) 
WE view the publication of a work of this kind as an act of 
kindness to the public. It is placing what first implanted the 
