14 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [January, 



whether or not to prepare a ten-year index, we request every sub- 

 scriber to send us a postal card on which is stated the number of vol- 

 umes (and their years) which he has preserved. 



The early volumes have become so scarce as to command a good 

 price, thus showing the wisdom of the investment made by those who 

 have preserved them. Several of our later subscribers, appreciating 

 their value, have given us standing orders to procure certain early vol- 

 umes for them at the earliest opportunity. 



By a curious turn of events the only man who has ever established a 

 rival microscopical publication, Dr. C. H. vStowell, is also a fellow-res- 

 ident of Washington, he having recently removed from Ann Arbor, 

 Mich., to practice medicine in this city. American microscopy owes 

 a debt of gratitude to Professor Hitchcock and to Doctor Stovvell, not 

 soon to be cancelled, and we hope never to be forgotten. We shall 

 prize their friendship, however preoccupied they may become in other 

 subjects, during the coming years. 



That microscopical periodicals are wanted and appreciated is be- 

 coming more and more apparent. We shall try while engaged in the 

 work to always meet the demands and thus hope to secure the com- 

 mendation of the votaries of this science, both amateur and professional. 

 To all we wish a Happy New Year. 



o 



Subscription Agencies, — Our contemporary, the Botajtical Ga- 

 zette^ announces that it has severed all connection with subscription 

 agencies. We are tempted to do the same on account of the many 

 tricks that disreputable agencies resort to. There is one in New York 

 City which took the money of a subscriber last July, and not only failed 

 to turn over the money to us, but absolutely neglects to answer all let- 

 ters of inquiry about it. 



From this time onward we will not consider subscriptions paid until 

 the money is in our own hands. If patrons order through agencies they 

 must assume all responsibility, and not regard the agents as our agents 

 in any sense. 



But in order that all may get their periodicals at the lowest rates, we 

 will club the Journal to any extent desired, and at the lowest rates 

 that any one who does honest business can afford to otler. 



Payments. — We are already in receipt of a large number of pay- 

 ments for 1S90, for which many thanks. Please notice the date on 

 your wrapper, and if it does not correctly indicate the date to which 

 you have paid, inform us at once. 



o 



Binding. — We will as heretofore bind your copies of the Journal 

 for 35 cents (postage 10 cents), provided you send the numbers by 

 Feb. 5, at which time the entire collection will be handed to the binder. 

 The bound volumes will be sent to you as early in February as possi- 

 ble. The binding is a neat one, in black cloth, with the usual letter- 

 ing on the back. If you prefer you can buy the " case " from us for 

 28 cents, postpaid, and get a local binder to insert your numbers in it. 

 Remittances for these small amounts must not be in 2-cent stamps, for 

 we have a year's stock now. You can send i-cent stamps, or better, a 

 postal note. 



