PREFACE. 



-oO^Kci 



^^\i^1^^^^ fi^^^s USTOM lias rendered it an imperative rule that 



every volume sliali have a ''Preface/^ A 

 magazine must submit to the same ordeal as 

 its more pretentious brethren, whenever it 

 collects its twelve scattered numbers into one. 

 But the practice gives the Editor this advan- 

 tage — once in a year he can address his readers 

 and contributors ex, cathedra ! He can cry ]3eccavi 

 to the complaints that may be raised, or smile 

 with satisfaction at the compliments proffered. He can 

 give friendly hints to those to whom they may be use- 

 ful, and not less effective reproofs where these may be 

 needed. He can draw the bond of union which unites 

 people of all ages and in every position in life, but 

 possessing kindred tastes, more closely together ; and feel that he is 

 addressing them, not as " readers " and " contributors " only, but 

 as "friends." 



One feature in the past year's numbers our readers may have 

 noticed — we have endeavoured to give, under their respective 

 headings, abstracts of the most important papers read before scien- 

 tific societies. This is of great importance, as enabling those who love 

 natural history, but have little means or leisure to go deeply into it, to 

 obtain an intelligent knowledge of what is going on in the great world 

 of Science. 



Our " Correspondents " column is that which always lays us under 

 obligation to our scientific brethren, whose willingness to help is best 

 known to those who test it most. For ourselves, as well as for our 

 querists, we return them our sincere thanks for the kindnesses shown 

 during the past year. Whilst we are referring to this subject, it 

 might be as well to suggest that nearly one-half of our questioners 



