PEEFACE. 



Hundreds of letters reached us from all parts — Australia, India, 

 Canada, and the United States, as well as from every town and city 

 in Great Britain, encouraging us to enlarge "Gossip"! Never 

 before did the Editorial Chair feel so pleasant ! Here and there came 

 a letter pointing out difficulties which we confess we had not at first 

 considered. 



Finally, whilst personally thanking every one of our well-wishers for 

 their hearty good wishes, we concluded that, for the present at least, 

 Science-Gossip should not alter either its price or its form. We 

 determined that the only alteration should be in the direction of its 

 improvement — in first-class articles from well-known pens, and in a 

 more earnest endeavour to keep popularly abreast with the progress of 

 natural science. Our great desire is that the important discoveries and 

 conclusions of Science shall percolate down to the densest strata of our 

 population. The circulation was never before so great as it is at present ; 

 but our ability to improve Science-Gossip in every respect would be 

 increased if that circulation were doubled. This could be effected, in 

 the easiest manner, by every one of our old subscribers securing a new 

 one for the ensuing year. 



We are pleased to know that in our desire to increase the usefulness 

 and efficiency of our unpretending Magazine, we have the hearty 

 co-operation of its new Publisher, whose great wish is to improve 

 it in every respect, whilst supporting its traditional style of treatment. 

 The first proof of this cordial assistance on his part is the publication 

 of a Classified Index of all the Volumes of Science-Gossip, including 

 the present, twelve in number. Under the headings of Zoology, Botany, 

 Geology, Microscopy, &c, the reader will there find the entire contents 

 of the Twelve Volumes alphabetically arranged. We hope that this will 

 prove a valuable synopsis of recent natural history knowledge. It is 

 intended to publish the Index concurrently with the present number, or 

 very shortly afterwards. 



Nothing remains for us now, except to extend the Editorial greeting 

 to each and all of our large circle of friends, and to thank them cordially 

 for active as well as passive sympathy and support received by us during 

 another year of our Editorial life. 



