iv PREFACE. 



be in possession of fuller and earlier information of the author's 

 views.* 



As the Society's domain includes the Invertebrata and the 

 Cryptogamia generally, with the Embryology and Histology of the 

 higher Animals and Plants, and Microscopy (properly so called), 

 the Bibliography and Eecord extend to those subjects also. 



The difficulty that has hitherto prevented a nearer approach to 

 completeness in the Bibliography— that of perfecting arrangements 

 at short notice for obtaining ready access to all the Journals and 

 Transactions which it is intended ultimately to include — is now, it 

 is hoped, in a fair way to be overcome. 



With regard to the Eecord, the matter stands on a different 

 footing, the greater or less completeness in this case necessarily 

 depending upon the Society's finances. Whilst the fullest use has 

 been made of the means at command, the result falls short of what 

 it is hoped will ultimately be accomplished. It requires, however, 

 a larger expenditure than the Society can at present prudently 

 devote to that purpose. 



It will have been obvious that the production of the later 

 numbers of the Journal was beyond the powers of any one person 

 (at least when the only time that could be devoted to it was by- 

 way of relaxation from engagements having a primary claim) ; 

 and the Society have been fortunate in obtaining the assistance 

 of Mr. T. Jeffery Parker, Mr. A. W. Bennett, and Professor F. 

 Jeffrey Bell, to whose abihty and energy the success of what has 

 been accomplished is very largely due. As their share in the pro- 

 duction of the Journal is now so important, their names will in 

 future be associated with it. 



An acknowledgment is also due to the Publication Committee 

 fconsisting of Dr. Braithwaite, Dr. Millar, Mr. Stephenson, and 

 Mr. Stewart) for much care bestowed on the revision of the Eecord, 

 and for many suggestions which have contributed to the improve- 

 ment of the Journal. 



Frank Crisp. 



* Whilst we fully recognize the conQpliment that is involved in the transfer 

 of the foreign abstracts of the Record to other pages, and the exceptional 

 appreciation evinced by referring to the original foreign source only (the editor 

 evidently intending thereby to show that he is prepared to take the responsibility 

 of having the abstracts attributed to himself), it would, on the whole, we suggest, 

 be better to adhere to the rule which we uniformly observe, of giving both sources 

 in the reference note. 



