PREFACE. 



THE necessity to pen a few editorial notes to our friends 

 reminds us that SCIENCE-GOSSIP has been in existence for 

 twenty-two years. 



We are happy to say there are no signs of failing health — 

 only of vigorous manhood. Our columns were never before found so 

 strait for the matter sent us by hosts of willing and enthusiastic 

 contributors, neither has the number or universality of our readers 

 lessened ; for Science-Gossip is known all over the globe. This is 

 a great deal to say, when we remember the number of popular 

 Science periodicals which have competed for public favour since our 

 magazine was launched twenty-two years ago. 



We have endeavoured, as far as lay in our power, to cater for 

 every class of our readers — geologists, astronomers, botanists, ento- 

 mologists, ornithologists, conchologists, microscopists, &c, as well as 

 that large and undefined host of readers who are content to be fond 

 of " Natural History." Where we have failed to please, we feel 

 confident it has not been for want of good intentions. 



In the present volume we commenced a series of monthly papers 

 on "Astronomy and Meteorology," which we were fortunate to have 

 written for our pages by Mr. John Browning, F.R.A.S., the well- 

 known Astronomer and Optician. 



Science is always increasing the number of its Gateways. 

 Openings into the Unknown are familiarly used now which were 

 never thought of a quarter of a century ago. Not the least inter- 

 esting and suggestive of these are the real relationships between 



