1861.] ADDRESS OP THE EDITOR. 17 



taking our leave. Occasionally their kind missives reach us 

 just after the entire copy (notice to contributors and all) has been 

 sent to press. It is not convenient to recast the last page on 

 which these appear, and consequently our friends must wait a 

 mouth or more before they see the acknowledgment of their con- 

 tributions. Although connected with the press in one way or 

 other, less or more, for nearly forty years, I have never known 

 any copy or proof lost, through the carelessness of the Post 

 officials, but one. Our correspondents therefore need not take 

 the trouble of inquiring about the reception or non-reception of 

 their articles. The ratio of their safe delivery and safe custody 

 is to the probability of their loss as about ten thousand to one. 



It is not impossible that we might forget to notice their re- 

 ceipt, but that they have been miscarried or lost, if sent through 

 the post-office or through any of the public accredited means of 

 conveyance, is most improbable. 



It is to be regretted that one of the subjects submitted to the 

 consideration of our contributors has hitherto been productive 

 of no results. Perhaps a dozen readers of the Phytologist re- 

 sponded to the appeal made for help in compiling as complete a 

 list of English botanists — one as complete as possible — with the 

 sanction of the owners of the names whereof it was to be com- 

 posed. With one exception the proposal met with much appro- 

 bation, and it has been asked, and the question is not an un- 

 reasonable one, why so good an intention has not been carried 

 out as originally promised and intended. The only reason to be 

 given is to be gleaned from the reply of a Greek paterfamilias, as 

 related by Hierocles, or some other merry Grecian. When the 

 former was asked why he took his little dead son out by a back 

 door or back window to be interred, replied that he Avas ashamed 

 to bring out so small a child before so large and gi'and a com- 

 pany, assembled at the front of his residence, to assist in per- 

 forming the funeral rites. We were ashamed to publish the few 

 names transmitted to us before so many who are doubtless as 

 eager to promote British botany as they were, but who might 

 not choose to publish this to the world. It is hoped that the 

 eminent botanists who consented to have their names entered in 

 the proposed list will accept the above as an excuse for the non- 

 fulfilment of their request. 



Every man should be the best judge of the cogency of the 



N. S. VOL. V. D 



