PREFACE. 



A NOTHER year has come and gone, and once more we find 

 ourselves brought face to face with our readers in the publica- 

 tion of the twenty-sixth volume of Science-Gossip. 



We trust and believe it has in no way lost the ground it has 

 occupied so long, notwithstanding the hosts of competitors which 

 have bidden with it for public favour. The Editor believes that the 

 present volume will be found as full of original articles and observa- 

 tions as any of its predecessors. 



If the position of a magazine is to be judged of by the articles 

 sent for publication, SCIENCE-GOSSIP is unusually fortunate. More 

 than half as many Papers again are sent than the narrow space of 

 our monthly issue will allow for. It is often with sincere regret the 

 Editor looks over valuable articles which he is obliged to lay by. 

 On this account, he asks the forbearance of patient contributors, and 

 desires future friends to be as brief in their communications as they 

 conveniently can. The Editor further suggests the increased use of 

 original illustrations to such Papers, as likely to increase their 

 scientific value. 



We were pleased with the response made of our readers last 

 year to increase the circulation, and thereby the usefulness of our 



