November, 1924. The Irish Naturalist. 113 



THE " IRISH NATURALIST." 



With much regret we announce that with the end of the 

 present year the Irish Naturalist will cease to appear. 

 For thirty-three years this Journal, founded to promote 

 the study of Natural Science in Ireland, has steadily fulfilled 

 its purpose. In the earlier portion of its life it was able 

 to pay its way, but with the great increase in the price of 

 printing since the European War, and the loss by death 

 or otherwise of many of its former supporters, it has been 

 maintained at a steadily increasing annual deficit. This 

 loss has been borne by the generous contributions of a 

 body of guarantors, whose number, like that of our 

 subscribers, has of recent years diminished, owing to the 

 same causes. It is felt that it is no longer fair to these 

 friends to maintain this burden upon them, and very 

 reluctantly it has been decided to discontinue publication. 

 During its life the " Irish Naturalist " has published 

 a great body of material dealing wdth almost every branch 

 of zoology, botany and geology in our island. The Editors 

 feel that their final duty towards their readers should be 

 the provision of adequate Indexes by means of which 

 this material may be made readily accessible. An excellent 

 Author-Index to the first twenty-five volumes, the work 

 of the late Mrs. Scharff, was published with the completion 

 of the twenty-fifth volume. A similar Author-Index to 

 the remaining eight volumes will be issued with the 

 forthcoming December number. But it is felt that in 

 addition to this, a Subject and Title-Index to the whole 

 series is very desirable. A number of specialists have 

 expressed their willingness to co-operate in this undertaking, 

 and we do not doubt that the whole work can be carried 

 out as a labour of love. But its publication will involve 

 considerable outlay, and we shall be glad to hear from 

 our readers whether they will be willing to contribute 

 towards this expense. If sufficient support is offered the 

 task can be commenced at an early date. 



The Editors. 

 A 



