PREFACE. 



oXKo 



H E necessity for writing a few prefatory 

 remarks to another volume of Science- 

 Gossip reminds one of the swift march of 

 Time, as well as of the slow and certain 

 tread of modern Science. The past twelve 

 months have witnessed additions in every 

 department of natural science, as lastingly organic as 

 the layer of new wood which, in trees, has encircled the 

 concentric rings of bygone years. It is not enough 

 for a man now to profess himself a naturalist — the term 

 is almost too incomprehensively vague, — and it is neces- 

 sary for a student to devote himself, if not entirely, 

 yet specially to one or two particular branches. 



For students and readers of every class we have 

 endeavoured to cater, we hope with some success. In 

 view of the large progress which Science is making, and of the greater 

 number of students its fascinating discoveries are attracting, we felt 

 inclined to increase the number of pages of our well-known Journal. 

 Our intention was thus to prepare a more abundant and varied intellec- 

 tual supply. But this could not have been done without raising the 

 price to sixpence, and we felt that one of the great purposes of 

 Science-Gossip was to address the masses, to whom increase of price 

 might mean a decreased ability to " take in '\ the Magazine. 



"We determined to take our subscribers into consultation in this 

 important matter, and therefore requested opinion. It is with pleasure, 

 as well as with some regret, that we announce the heartiness of the 

 response — pleasure at the kindly, often personal, interest taken in 

 Science-Gossip ; and regret, because we felt it best, in the interest of 

 the work our Magazine is appointed to do, ultimately not to accept it. 



