The SERIAL columns of NATURE contain the gist of the most impor- 

 tant Papers that appear in the numerous Scientific Journals which are 

 now published at home and abroad, in various languages ; while longer 

 ABSTRACTS are given of the more valuable Papers which appear in 

 foreign Journals. 



THE PRINCIPAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES and ACADEMIES of the 

 world, British and Foreign, have their transactions regularly recorded in 

 NATURE, the Editor being in correspondence for this purpose, with 

 representatives of Societies in all parts of the world. 



NOTES from the most trustworthy sources appear each week, record- 

 ing the latest gossip of the scientific world at home and abroad. 



In short, the Publishers venture to repeat, NATURE is the recognised 

 organ of Science throughout the world. 



NATURE is, moreover, well calculated to be of great service to teachers 

 in any way connected with Science, or who give a place, however small, 

 to Science in their course of instruction. It will keep them informed of 

 all that is most recent and valuable in Science, and enable them to add 

 constant freshness and interest to their instruction. 



In order to make the paper more and more valuable to the general 

 reader, and to supply a want which it is believed is felt by many, series of 

 Papers, profusely illustrated, has been recently commenced, consisting of 

 interestingly and instructively written articles, on particular scientific 

 subjects Scientific Discovery, Applications, History, Biography by 

 some of the most eminent scientific men in the kingdom. Among the 

 works which are appearing, or will appear in NATURE shortly, the Pub- 

 lishers are already enabled to announce the following : 



"The Spectroscope and its Applications, 1 ' by J. NORMAN LOCKYER, 

 F.R.S. 



"The Origin and Metamorphoses of Insects," by Sir JOHN LUBBOCK, 

 Bart, M.P., F.R.S. 



"The Science of weighing and measuring," by H. W. CHISHOLM, 

 Warden of the Standards. 



"The Polarization of Light," by WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE, F.R.S. 



"Meteorites," by N. S. MASKELYNE, F.R.S., Keeper of the Mineral 

 Department, British Museum. 



" Mountain and Valley Sculpture," by Professor GEIKIE, F.R.S. 



" The approaching Transits of Venus," by Professor FORBES. 



"The Birth of Chemistry," by G. F. RODWELL, F.C.S. 



MACMILLAN & CO., BEDFORD STREET, LONDON, W.C. 



