2 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



the old, to present summaries, as far as possible of a non- 

 technical character, of important recent work in any branch 

 of science, to show the progress achieved, and if possible to 

 indicate something of the line along which further advance 

 is to be made towards the desired end. The chemist, to take 

 an example, will describe for the botanist recent advances in 

 chemistry, the botanist will do the same service for the chemist, 

 often, it is hoped, to the advantage and assistance of both, 

 especially when, as is an essential feature of Science Progress, the 

 summaries are prepared by those actually engaged in the work 

 and capable of marshalling the facts in their true perspective. 



Past experience has demonstrated the great utility of such 

 summaries to teachers and students. Some are prevented by 

 lack of opportunities from obtaining access to original memoirs 

 and papers, whilst others who are more favourably situated are 

 often at a loss for a guide amongst, perhaps, the numerous and 

 scattered contributions on a given subject. To all, a resume 

 in which the isolated facts are gathered together, marshalled 

 in their proper sequence, and their general bearings discussed in 

 a somewhat broader manner than is sometimes possible in a 

 more technical journal, should prove of value. 



It is especially to be hoped that Science Progress will prove 

 useful to scientific workers and others in the more distant parts 

 of the Empire, where, through want of access to much current 

 literature, more and more reliance has to be placed on sum- 

 marised information. On the other hand, there is in Great 

 Britain often but scanty information regarding the scientific 

 problems confronting our kinsmen beyond the seas, the progress 

 they are making, and the conditions under which their work is 

 carried on ; and if this journal should be the means of knitting 

 more closely together and mutually aiding fellow-workers 

 throughout the Empire, it will more than justify its existence. 



Just as it is to be hoped that Science Progress in the Twentieth 

 Century will provide a common meeting-ground for scientists 

 in different lands, so we trust that those engaged in different 

 branches of science may here come together to discuss subjects 

 of common interest. Nor will the more " practical " aspects 

 of science be lost sight of, but, as the contents of this number 

 sufficiently indicate, efforts will be made to show the relation- 

 ships of so-called " pure " science to agriculture, mining, health, 

 commerce, education. 



N. H. ALCOCK. 

 W. G. FREEMAN. 



