Local Scientific Societies ^*

Abstract

III.

IN the ten years succeeding 1860 the number of local scientific societies formed throughout the country was more than double that of the previous decade, amounting altogether to fifty-six, of which no less than forty-five are field-clubs. Many of these are well known for producing excellent work, but we must refer our readers to the list at p. 521 of vol. viii. for details. The Quekett Club of London was formed during this period, as were also a number of clubs in the Severn Valley, the Eastbourne Natural History Society, and others which have done good work, but which are far too numerous to mention. Two or three very excellent societies were formed in North Britain during this decade, including the Perthshire Society of Natural History, which, at any rate as represented by a few of its members, is one of the hardest-working societies in the kingdom. Under its auspices the Scottish Naturalist is published, and a Flora and Fauna of the extensive and varied county of Perthshire is being brought out; recently we noticed a proposal issuing from one of the members for the establishment of a British Naturalists' Agency. A very laudable though somewhat Scotch appendage has just been added to the Society, in the shape of a “Perthshire Mountain Club” for the exploration of the Perthshire mountains, more especially those that have been neglected by naturalists, with the following officebearers:—A cairn-master, a scribe and naturalist, a geometer, a bard, and, to crown all, a quaigh-bearer, a quaigh being a two-eared drinking-cup from which to quaff the “mountain-dew” withal.