EK. RAY LANKESTER. 
Ir is now five-and-twenty years since Professor Lankester 
first undertook the task of editing the ‘ Quarterly Journal of 
Microscopical Science,’ and by issuing the present number his 
colleagues desire to mark the occasion, and at the same time 
to take the opportunity of offering to him their hearty con- 
gratulations on the success which has attended this quarter of 
a century of effort on his part. 
The Journal was founded in the year 1853 by the publisher, 
Mr. 8. Highley, and was edited by Dr. Edwin Lankester and 
Mr. George Busk. In 1856 the publisher’s business was 
transferred to Mr. John Churchill, with which firm it has 
remained ever since. Up to 1868 the Journal published the 
‘Transactions of the Royal Microscopical Society of London,’ 
but in 1869 the Society started its own publication, and a new 
editorial arrangement of the Journal was made. Mr. George 
Busk retired, and Mr. Ray Lankester, who had lately taken 
his degree at Oxford, joined his father in the editorship. 
Mr. Ray Lankester’s connection with the Journal began in 
1863 with the publication of a paper “On our Present Know- 
ledge of the Gregarinz,” followed in 1864-5 by a memoir, in 
three parts, on “The Anatomy of the Earthworm.” In 1865 
he suggested the publication of a Quarterly Chronicle of the 
progress of Histology and Microscopic Investigation, and 
joimed Mr. Busk in its preparation. Curiously enough, this 
feature has been abandoned since 1872, whilst the Royal 
Microscopical Society has taken the task in hand, and pro- 
duces an admirable and extensive record. 
In 1872 Ray Lankester’s father ceased to take part in 
a 
