PREFACE. 



In bringing to a conclusion the thirty-sixth number of the new series 

 of the Magazine of Natural History, the Editor has little to offer by 

 way of preface to the third volume. The condition of the journal 

 as it respects its stability, is much the same as at the close of 1838 ; 

 and its conductor has only to repeat the determination which he then 

 expressed, of not relinquishing his post, unlesss some unforeseen 

 circumstances, or a diminution of that support hitherto tendered 

 him by the contributors, should leave him no alternative but the 

 adoption of that measure. 



In some respects, every additional year that the present series of 

 the Magazine stands its ground, it may be said to gather strength ; 

 and considering the large and increasing number of the cultivators 

 of science, who have made its pages a medium for recording their 

 observations in the different branches of Natural History, and the 

 prospective reduction in the present rates of postage, which have 

 hitherto pressed most heavily upon scientific periodicals, the Editor 

 still looks to the future with sanguine anticipations. 



A large number of wood-cuts illustrate the present volume ; and 

 the supplementary plates, a feature in the work, the introduction of 

 which was attended with some little anxiety on the part of the Edi- 

 tor, have been extremely well received by the Subscribers.* 



103, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury. 

 Nov. 26th, 1839. 



* So far as the circulation of the second number of the supplementary 

 plates can be at present ascertained, it would seem that not more than 

 five or six of the subscribers have declined them. 



