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a list of the summer birds of passage, the Latin names which he uses are "Linnæi nomina;" in his correspondence with Barrington, Letter I. and elsewhere, he designates his birds, scientifically, by "Raii Nomina." Barrington argued so warmly against the deficiencies of the Linnæan characters, and advocated so strongly the excellences of our countryman, John Ray, that he is carried on by the discussion in which he was engaged to inquire, no doubt in his estimation triumphantly, "After this comparison can there be a doubt whether the English botanist should consult Ray or Linnæus for an English plant?”

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WILLIAM MARKWICK, who afterwards took the name of Eversfield, derived from his residence in the country opportunities of observing nature, which he embraced with a readiness worthy of a pupil of Gilbert White. His "Naturalist's Calendar" affords ample evidence of his perseverance in attending to and noting occurrences in both the organized kingdoms of the creation; and the remarks subjoined by him, in numerous instances, to our author's "Observations on various Parts of Nature," show him to have been a sensible as well as a diligent observer. He communicated to the Linnean Society various essays on subjects of interest to zoologists, which were published in the earlier volumes of the "Transactions" of that body; the first of them, "On the Migration of certain Birds, and on other Matters relating to the Feathered Tribes," included a table of the annual appearance and disappearance of certain birds, which was continued to the end of 1794 in a subsequent communication, entitled "Aves Sussexienses; or, a Catalogue of Birds found in the County of Sussex, with Remarks." His last paper consisted of " Observations on the Clover Weevil," and was published in 1801. His death took place in 1813.

DR. JOHN AIKIN is known both as the author of numerous and popular productions, and as one of an eminently literary and scientific family. He dedicated his "Calendar of Nature" to his sister, Mrs. Barbauld, referring to her

children's books as having raised the character of such publications. "Had it been designed," he says, speaking of own work, "for a different class of readers, a larger compass might have been taken, and a more learned and elevated character of writing have been aimed at, yet it must still have remained essentially the same; and its merit must still have been that of compilation. The plan itself is a borrowed one; and you must certainly recollect its model in one of your own little books, where, in a very entertaining manner, you give a brief description of the several months, formed of some of the most striking circumstances attending each. What you have done for a child three or four years old, I have attempted for young people from ten to fourteen."

In editing from the MSS. of White, he carried yet higher his desires of extending acquaintance with natural history; the work compiled by him from that source being adapted to students of adult powers, and embodying many facts which were altogether new, at the time of their publication, to naturalists generally. Founded on the observation of nature their interest is calculated to endure.

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ADVERTISEMENT TO THE FIRST

EDITION.

HE author of the following letters takes the liberty, with all proper deference, of laying before the public his idea of parochial history, which, he thinks, ought to consist of natural productions and occurrences as well as antiquities. He is also of opinion that if stationary men would pay some, attention to the districts on which they reside, and would publish their thoughts respecting the objects that surround them, from such materials might be drawn the most complete county-histories, which are still wanting in several parts of this kingdom, and in particular in the county of Southampton.

And here he seizes the first opportunity, though a late one, of returning his most grateful acknowledgments to the reverend the president and the reverend and worthy the fellows of Magdalen College in the university of Oxford, for their liberal behaviour in permitting their archives to be searched by a member of their own society, so far as the evidences therein contained might respect the parish and priory of Selborne. To that gentleman also, and his assistant, whose labours and attention could only be equalled by the very kind manner in which they were bestowed, many and great obligations are also due.

Of the authenticity of the documents above mentioned there can be no doubt, since they consist of the identical deeds and records that were removed to the college from the Priory at the time of its dissolution; and, being carefully

copied on the spot, may be depended on as genuine; and, never having been made public before, may gratify the curiosity of the antiquary, as well as establish the credit of the history.

If the writer should at all appear to have induced any of his readers to pay a more ready attention to the wonders of the creation, too frequently overlooked as common occurrences; or if he should by any means, through his researches, have lent an helping hand towards the enlargement of the boundaries of historical and topographical knowledge; or if he should have thrown some small light upon ancient customs and manners, and especially on those that were monastic; his purpose will be fully answered. But if he should not

have been successful in any of these his intentions, yet there remains this consolation behind-that these, his pursuits, by keeping the body and mind employed, have, under Providence, contributed to much health and cheerfulness of spirits, even to old age; and, what still adds to his happiness, have led him to the knowledge of a circle of gentlemen whose intelligent communications, as they have afforded him much pleasing information, so, could he flatter himself with a continuation of them, would they ever be deemed a matter of singular satisfaction and improvement.

Selborne, January 1st, 1788.

Gil: White.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF

SELBORNE.

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