PREFACE TO VOL VI. 



On the completion of our sixth vohime, we again tender our 

 heartiest thanks both to our subscribers and to our contributors, for 

 their continued support and encouragement. 



Nothwithstanding the increased frequency of publication, we have 

 found it impossible to prevent the accumulation of material at a rate in 

 excess of our power of using it. This is not an unmixed evil, for it has 

 relieved us of the difficulty, that existed not many years ago, of obtain- 

 ing a sufficiency of interesting matter wherewith to fill our entomological 

 magazines. At the same time, it points to the necessity for a continu- 

 ance of the policy of completing a volume in eight months. Accordingly, 

 we have to announce that the twelve numbers of the ensuing volume 

 will be published on the following dates: — Sept. 15th, Oct. 15th, 

 Nov. Ist and 15th, Dec. 1st and 15th, Jan. 15th, Feb. Ist and 15th, 

 March 1st and 15th, April 15th. 



We have taken a new dejoarture in the volume now completed, by 

 giving to the first article in each number somewhat more of a popular 

 character. The echoes of approval that have reached us, show that this 

 practice has been widely appreciated by our readers. 



The special line that we have taken in dealing with the philosophical 

 questions that underlie the study of entomology, as well as the 

 publication month by month of short notes of the more important 

 matters of interest to British workers published elsewhere, have un- 

 doubtedly led to a much wider and more general recognition of the 

 fundamental principles underlying entomology as a science, and have 

 induced a large number of the younger workers to fall into line with 

 the advanced scientific thought that characterises the last decade of the 



