16 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [January, 



EDITORIAL. 



By CHAS. W. SMILEY. 



Prologue to 1889. — With the coming of the new year the editorial 

 office of this periodical returns to Washington, it having proved very 

 inconvenient for our increasing business to have that work done so far 

 away. Besides, Professor Osborn is engaged upon some other impor- 

 tant matters that take up much of his time. While he will not here- 

 after be responsible for each issue editorially, his connection will con- 

 tinue. He will contribute, render advice, and assist in every way 

 practicable. 



The occasion is utilized for establishing several departments, each in 

 charge of a competent specialist. Thus, without losing our genial and 

 learned friend, Osborn, we add several gentlemen to the staff, each of 

 whom is skilled in his field of work. 



In addition to the departments represented in this number, there will 

 commence in February a serial entitled, ■" Loiterings in a Microscopist's 

 Laboratory," in which one of the very foremost microscopists of this 

 country will give valuable information and incidentally express some 

 opinions quite freely. As he writes in a very pleasing style, his chap- 

 ters will doubtless attract the attention of many who are not familiar 

 with the subject. We only regret that he has sworn us to secrecy as to 

 the location of his busy laboratory. He will write under a nam de 

 flume. 



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Biological Notes. — In this department of the Journal, to be conducted 

 by Prof. J. H. Pillsbury, of Smith College, Northampton, Mass., we en- 

 deavor to give, in such plain English that all may understand, the most 

 important and interesting facts in natural history developed by a score 

 or more of the periodicals, transactions, and other publications of the 

 day. It is for those who are unwilling to be ignorant of biological 

 progress and unable to read the many prints now issued. In all cases 

 we cite the source of information so as to enable readers to look up de- 

 tails when they desire so to do. 



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Bacteriology. — This new science or branch of science requires for 

 its study the higher power of lenses magnifying from 500 to 1200 di- 

 ameters, as well as certain special apparatus, methods, and cultures. 

 It is proposed hereafter to devote more attention to it in this periodical, 

 and to present not only its technique but its bibliography, and partic- 

 ularly to state in plain language what progress is constantly being 

 made by those professionally engaged in its study. In this number 

 there is room for but a short statement of the character of bacteria. 

 This is from an address by Dr. Bolton, of the South Carolina Univer- 

 sity, and lately from Johns Hopkins University. It will be followed by 

 his description of the practical and economic value of the study, and 

 by other articles. We are especially fortunate in having the friendship 

 of Dr. Smith, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, and his able corps of 

 workers, from whom contributions will be expected in due time. 



Our Medical and Biological readers as well as the microscopists will 

 be glad to know the latest discoveries relative to infectious diseases, 

 from tuberculosis to swine plague. A large part of the literature is in 

 German, and of the workers Germans. Our own Bureau of Animal 



