PREFACE TO THE FIFTH SERIES. 

Wir the present Number this Journal enters upon the fifth 
decennial period of its existence. The Editors, one of whom 
assisted at the very birth of the ‘ Annals,’ cannot but con- 
gratulate themselves upon the continued and ever-increasing 
vitality of their Journal, which, notwithstanding the nume- 
rous other means of publishing Natural-History Articles that 
now exist, has at no previous period of its career been more 
abundantly supplied with good materials. This is due, no 
doubt, in great measure to the extreme activity which has 
prevailed in the investigation of all branches of Natural. 
History during the last fifteen years; but the Editors cannot 
help feeling that the continued flow of valuable articles to 
their Journal is an indication that it is regarded as, to some 
extent, a particularly favourable vehicle for publication—a 
view which is confirmed by the fact that even Foreign Natu- 
ralists seek admission for their writings to its pages. That 
it may still retain this character will be the object of their 
earnest endeavours; and they trust it will be long before the 
increasing age of the ‘Annals’ is betrayed by any signs of 
decrepitude. 4 
