PREFACE. 



The present volume is the eighth of a series commenced 

 in 1871, and which, although entirely unconnected with a 

 work having somewhat the same object the "Annual 

 of Scientific Discovery" took up the record of scientific 

 and industrial progress where the latter left it off, after 

 having been published since 1850. 



A modification of the original plan of the " Annual 

 Record" was commenced in the volume for 1877. Pre- 

 vious to that it consisted of two parts first, a general 

 summary of progress in the various branches of science ; 

 and, secondly, a series of abstracts of special papers, credit- 

 ed to the work in which they were published. These ab- 

 stracts, although prepared by several specialists, were with- 

 out indication of their authorship. The experience of 

 several years showed that in attempting to give abstracts 

 of anything like the most important announcements of 

 the year, more space was required than could be spared 

 for the purpose ; and it was therefore determined to en- 

 large the scope of the first division, and make it include 

 a greater amount of detail, each summary to be prepared 

 by some eminent specialist, and to be headed by his 

 name. 



This plan was found to give entire satisfaction to the 

 patrons of the "Annual Record," and it has therefore 

 been followed on the present occasion. In the table of 

 contents will be found an analysis of the several articles, 

 while a very minute alphabetical index will permit easy 

 reference to any particular facts recorded. 



Spencer F. Baird. 



Smithsonian Institution, March 1, 1879. 



