PREFACE, 



information to its predecessors. Our generous contributors of articles 

 are quite as enthusiastic as their forbears. 



The increased demand on our " Exchange Columns " is a good 

 indication of the rapidity with which Natural History has spread. 

 That term is now more comprehensive than ever. It embraces 

 sections and sub-sections of research which, a quarter of a century 

 ago, were hardly thought of. Now, every one of them is engaging 

 the attention of men and women, and sweetening their lives, as the 

 eager interest shown for Collecting manifests. 



We would do more if we could. The low price of SciENCE- 

 GOSSIP makes it imperative that its circulation shall be increased, 

 so as to enable Editor and Publisher to carry out their desires. 

 Every reader can assist us by joining our enthusiastic corps of 

 " recruiting sergeants," and getting another enlisted in our large ranks 

 of Subscribers. An increase of another five thousand per month in 

 our circulation would strengthen our hands for good. 



We thank kind friends all round (and there is not a part of the 

 globe where our Magazine has not friends) for help, sympathy — even 

 criticism. The Preface enables the Editor once more figuratively to 

 shake hands with all, and to wish them a Happy New Year ! 



* 



