, 1892-09-21


try. Something has been done IN recent
years to determine the conditions of natural
phenomena around us, but this has been only
sufficient to illumine the outlying districts
and indicate the vast extent OF the region,
which has yet to be mapped out. We know
a little Of the aerial Inhabitants, something OF
the geological structure. and a few facts con-
corning the plant life Of the colony, but a
we'll ordered and correlated knowledge OF ill
these we are still far from possessing. Other
countries are being systematically explored,
but beyond isolated researches of a few
officials and the devoted studies Of one or
two private individually nothing is being done
here 10 marshall the facts Of nature into
integral completeness. This is the greater
pity that Jamaica is an island peculiarly fitted
to engross the attention OF the Naturalist;
it ls rich in material Of all kinds and furnish
es opportunity for studying many Of the pro-
blems in the domain Of comparative biology
Naturalists on the American continent are
beginning to find this cut and we see them
com no over 10 Port Antonio and remaining
there. for the t~nvirons Of this beautiful town
il nothing more or less than a naturalsts
paradise. English scientists are also Begin
ming to discover the wealth Of our marine
fauna, and the biological station which we
have often advocated, is likely to be an
established fact before long. These are
hopeful signs, and contain the promise Of
better things in the future. We write now
to suggest and advocate the formation in
this Island of a Field Naturalists Club,
similar to the one in Trinidad; similar to
those which occupy SO important a place in
the social and scientific circles Of Scotland,
TN-1..1 o,J 4l.o Dx-po on tho COOtInpDt nf
Europe. These clubs are not composed Of
professional natura.Ists; they are indeed
intended for the amateur, and that in Edin-
burgh, with which we are acquainted, has a
very large number Of lady members. The
direct object of the club is to enable all who
take an interest in any branch Of scientific
study to meet and exchange views and TO pur-
sue the investigation Of nature together.
For this purpose meetings are held during the
winter at which papers are read and discussed,
specimens exhibited, and social courtesies OBJ
served. During the summer months exCur-
sions are made to places Of scientific interest
in the neighbourhood. AS the members are
chiefly drawn from the GLASS who pursue COM
mercial and professional avocations Of some
sort these excursions are so arranged as TO
suit their convenience, and generally take
place ON OaIuIudy d4l0lHOOH' L tSPoAutiOHn
are made for their reception and escort at the
spot visited-it may be a mine, mandatory,
piece of engineering. or district Of special geo
logical or botanical interest. 1t is not essential
that every member should he a working
naturalist, or bring nome q bag Of specimens to
attest the genuine nature Of the work. Each
follows his or her inclination, and very often
tho relief from the cares and routine Of daily
is sufficient reward in itself. A journal
may, or may not, be published recording the
transactions of the Club; this is usually done
however, and in Trinidad it forms an adj
iunct to the Club of general economic value.
A Club on similar lines to those we have
mentioned, would, we are assured, become q
popular and useful institution in this Colony.
Combination among local scientists and
Of Nature is as necessary as the impor-
tation of alien science establishments. Round
such a Club many ''of our isolated work
srs would gather, and it would also
be the means of fostering a taste for the
study of natural science in the community.
Socially it would serve an important function.
1t would bring together students of the same
bent of mind these could present the result
their private studies and observations at
the regular meetings, while pleasant excur-
sions to points on the harbour, and on the hills,
be made, thus combining a healthful
outing with a profitable reading lesson in
great book. We are so convinced of
the value and ultimate practical usefulness of
such aR association that we would ask now if
Mr. Cookerell, the Curator of the Museum,