— Dr Samuel Johnson was a great admirer of his contemporary. He maintained that Pennant was best traveller I ever read (Boswell, 1934-50, 3: 274), who had a greater variety of enquiry than almost any man, and has told us more than perhaps one in ten thousand could have done, in the time that he took (Boswell, 1934—50, 5: 221). Pennant's success as a traveller can be explained by many factors, not the least of which was his ample fortune. This enabled him to employ artists to take drawings of objects of interest, allowed him to purchase the latest books and meant that he could travel in comfort. In addition, Pennant had an insatiable curiosity. He crossexamined everybody he about their lives, their localities, and their work. On 11 May 1765, for example, he recorded in his diary: I was waiting, the surgeon of the place, a very genteel man, made me a visit and presented to me some pieces of the semipellucid yellow sulphur which is found in this neighbourhood. He informed me that the Oriole is constantly seen in the woods in its autumnal migration (Pennant, 1948: 90).1 In planning his tour of Scotland, Pennant's curiosity went one stage further. He had printed and circulated a sheet of Queries addressed to the Gentlemen and Clergy of North Britain, respecting the Antiquities of their respective Parishes. These were very detailed and included such questions, relating to the natural history of the as: I. What is the appearance of the country in the parish; is it flat or hilly, rocky or mountainous?... XIV. What quadrupeds and birds are there in your parish? What migratory birds, and at what times do they appear and disappear?... XXIV. Are any quantities of sheep raised or fed in the parish, and on what do they chiefly feed? (Pennant, 1771: 287) John Nichols reported that the circulation of this list of 'Queries', met with suitable returns and [Pennant] has certainly kindled a spirit of enquiry among the natives (Nichols, 17801800,1: [hi]).2 This method of co-operative research, of course, was nothing new. Several individuals, and at least one publisher, had tried it before while compiling local histories and natural histories. According to Nichols, first idea seems to have been suggested by the celebrated Edward (Nichols, 1780-1800, 1: [i]). In 1696, Lhuyd printed 4000 copies of his Parochial queries in order to a geographical dictionary, a Natural history &c ofWales, and distributed them throughout Wales: