190 RECORD OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS FOR 1881. 



nology in general; but the space required for such larger digest seems 

 scarcely available in the present channel. The scientific resum6, which 

 in 1880 occupied 260 pages, has this year extended to 330 pages. An 

 efficient condensation of this matter seems scarcely practicable. 



It is hardly necessary to remark that in a summary of the annual pro- 

 gress of scientific discovery so condensed as the present, the wants of the 

 specialist in any branch can be but imperfectly supplied ; and very many 

 items and details of great value to him must be entirely omitted. While 

 the student in a special field of knowledge may occasionally receive hints 

 that will be found of interest, he will naturally be led to consult for 

 fuller information the original journals and special periodicals from 

 which these brief notices or abstracts have been compiled. 



The contemplated plan of devoting some 250 pages of the annual 

 report to such a compilation is not designed to preclude the introduc- 

 tion into the "General Appendix," as heretofore, of special monographs 

 or discussions that may prove interesting to the scientific student. 



Spencer F. Baird. 



I 



