PREFACE, 
this, and how truly rich the field is, has been already conclusively 
shown in these pages by several valued contributors, (particularly 
Mr. W. G. Blatch,) to whom we express our gratitude, not only 
for what they have already done, but also (in the anticipatory 
sense of a well-known adage) for favours yet to come, on which 
we rest well assured both we and our readers may confidently 
rely. 
In the admirable address delivered by the President at the 
annual meeting of the members of the Midland Union, at 
Leicester, in May last, (pp. 187-141,) some most suggestive 
remarks were made on the subject of noting down observations 
on points of natural science, and regularly communicatmg them 
for publication in the pages of this magazine. As we have 
frequently pointed out, it would be well if every one of our 
subscribers would consider him or herself as commissioned to 
observe and report on all occurrences of scientific interest which 
may happen within their knowledge. The present volume 
contains many interesting and valuable communications of this 
character, and we sincerely hope that in the coming year their 
number may be very largely increased. 
We have again the pleasant duty of acknowledging our 
indebtedness to our large band of Meteorological observers 
for the valuable assistance we have received from them; to 
Mr. W. B. Grove, B.A., who has rendered us and our readers 
invaluable help in various ways ; and to Mr. Chas. E. Scarse for 
assistance in the preparation of a carefully compiled Index. 
