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PREFACE. 



^^ 



OR several years past we have been frequently 



importuned to publish a General Index to 



Science-Gossip. On issuing a new series 



with the present year, marked by new type 



and improved paper, it was thought this 



would be a favourable opportunity for arranging a 



General Classified Index of all the Subjects treated 



upon in the Twelve Volumes which our Magazine has 



lived through. 



The task, however, proved more formidable 

 than we imagined; hence the delay in the issue of 

 the Index. None of our readers will be more sur- 

 prised than we have been, whilst seeing this laborious work through 

 the press, at the enormous ground which has been covered in twelve 

 years. If any proof were required as to the active spirit of inquiry 

 and research which has been abroad during the above period, it would 

 be no absurd boast to point to this Index as one token of it. Every- 

 thing relating to Natural Science has been discussed and examined in 

 our Volumes, so that the headings alone are sufficient to fill no small 

 number of ordinary pages. 



We are more convinced than ever that the spirit in which we have 



