PREFACE. 



Nine years have now elapsed since the commencement of the 

 Magazine of Natural History ; and, during that period, we have 

 endeavoured to conduct it in such a manner, that, while a large 

 proportion of the contributions to its pages have been of a nature 

 directly tending to an extension of our knowledge in the various 

 departments of Natural History, it should, at the same time, not 

 be deficient in subjects of general interest to those who derive 

 gratification from some knowledge and observance of Nature's 

 laws, although they may not enter upon their investigation as a 

 science. 



To a considerable extent, we think that this combination has been 

 happily effected; and, in presenting our Readers and Correspond- 

 ents with the completion of the Ninth Volume, we trust that it is 

 one which will not be found to contain less instructive, or less 

 interesting, matter than those which have preceded it. Among 

 the communications which will be perused with pleasure, are 

 several from our old and valued correspondent, Mr. It. C. Taylor, 

 whose contributions on Fossil Zoology and Botany, published in 

 one of the early Volumes of this Magazine, were publicly alluded 

 to, in terms of the highest commendation, by one of our most 

 distinguished Geological Professors, at the late assembly of the 

 British Association at Bristol. 



We have occasionally been told that miscellaneous communica- 

 tions are allowed to appear in our pages, which sometimes do not 

 constitute additions to the vast fund of knowledge which we pos- 

 sess relating to the economy of Nature. We readily admit the 

 fact ; but it should be borne in mind, that one principal object 

 with us has been that of exciting and promoting a spirit of enquiry, 

 and a habit of observation, among those who, perhaps, did not 

 previously possess the taste, or the means, for acquiring an insight 

 into those delightful pursuits which are attendant upon the study of 

 Natural History. Had our Journal been appropriated exclusively 

 to subjects of deep research, and only open to the communications 

 of experienced Naturalists, it might have taken a higher stand as 

 a philosophical work, but it would not have been productive of the 

 general good that it was our object to promote, and which has un- 

 doubtedly arisen from the course which we have followed. 



At the present time, there seems so generally diffused a feeling 

 in favour of those objects for which this Work was originally insti- 

 tuted, that it appears to us a desirable opportunity for the com- 

 mencement of a new series. This plan will prove a great ad- 



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