PREFACE. 



which modern investigation has opened out, the question of " In- 

 telligence in Man and Animals." We have been pleased with the 

 ability with which the subject has been discussed from the evolutional, 

 as well as the anti-evolutional sides, and not less so with the good 

 temper and courtesy displayed by the partisans. Twenty years ago 

 this mutual forbearance would have been impossible, and a discussion 

 like this would have broken up into personal recriminations. We must 

 now, however, close the debate. 



The crowded state of our " Exchange " columns shows how zealously 

 amateurs are working in their special departments of natural history ; 

 and the various and oftentimes queer questions put to us in the 

 columns devoted to that purpose, indicate the number of recruits who 

 are joining the ranks. We hope that the " List of Naturalists " which 

 appears in the present number will prove of great practical advantage 

 to young and ardent workers. 



We look forward to a more active year than ever. Our editorial 

 box is well filled with articles — technical, descriptive, and popular, 

 on every branch of Natural Science. We shall do our best to make 

 the volume for 1880 more attractive in every way than any of 

 its predecessors. And, whilst thanking our numerous, zealous, and 

 hearty friends for the many kindnesses we have received at their 

 hands, we wish to all our contributors and subscribers, " A Happy 

 New Year ! " 



