PREFACE TO VOL. IX. 



On the completion of another vohime Ave tender our heartiest 

 thanks to our subscribers, contributors, and all those Avho have been 

 in any way instrumental in increasing our circulation. 



The return to the annual method of publication has resulted in 

 the rejection of a great deal of material for which we could not 

 possibly find room, in spite of the fact that the current volume is one 

 of the largest yet issued. 



We have attempted to make a fair selection of the material that 

 has come to hand, and have done our best to cater for the different 

 classes of our readers. 



We have one important change to chronicle with regard to the 

 management of the Magazine, viz., that Mr. Horace St. John K. Donis- 

 thorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S., will, in future, be responsible for the editing 

 of all notes on Coleoptera that may appear therein. That Ave haA-e 

 got such an excellent helper is not only a great source of gratification 

 to us, but must also be so to all our readers Avho are specially in- 

 terested in this group of insects. 



The large number of " Field Notes " for the different months, 

 already in hand, leads us to state that this feature Avill be maintained. 

 Already the material in our possession (for some of the months), is 

 much more than we can possibly print. 



Again Ave have to thank Mr. G. B. Routledge, F.E.S., who has, 

 for the fourth time, made himself responsible for the preparation of 

 the Special Index. 



