INTRODUCTION. 
The want of a medium for recording in accessible form the 
numerous, often unconnected observations, pertaining more par- 
ticularly to the western part of North America, made by amateurs 
as well as by working naturalists, has been felt as a serious draw- 
back. Such a means is now offered in this journal, which, while 
supplying an existing need, will, it is hoped, greatly extend and 
stimulate the taste for these observations among those who are little 
attracted by the graver and more technical works published by 
scientific societies. 
Contributions of such studies in the life-history and structure of 
animals and plants are preferred to all other communications, though 
a moderate amount of systematic work will be welcomed. The 
bulky compilations which delight the soul of the encyclopedian 
scientist will not appear in the pages of Zor, and pains will be 
taken, as much as possible, to disembarrass the grain of truth from 
its attendant mass of chaff. 
It is hoped that the support accorded to this journal will be 
sufficiently liberal to admit of copious illustration, and every effort 
will be made to render it worthy of such encouragement. 
