THE 



GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE 



NEW SERIES. DECADE VI. VOL. VI. 



No. X.— OCTOBER, 1919. 



EDITOEIAL NOTES. 



IT is with very great regret that the Editors find themselves com- 

 pelled to announce to their friends and subscribers that a crisis 

 has arisen in the affairs of the Geological Magazine, gravely 

 imperilling its future existence. Eor some years past the Magazine 

 has been conducted on an extremely narrow margin hetween profit 

 and actual loss, and now, owing to a further sudden rise in the cost 

 of production, the former trivial, almost negligible, profit will 

 be converted into a considerable loss on next year's working unless 

 some further economic steps are taken. The whole situation has 

 been most carefully considered hetween Editors, publishers, and 

 printers, and certain minor adjustments are suggested in connexion 

 with business arrangements. As to these it is not necessary to enter 

 into detail here. But these measures of economy alone would be 

 quite inadequate to make up the deficit: some considerable increase 

 of revenue is indispensable, and the only possible source for this is 

 an increase in the price of the Magazine. The sole alternative is to 

 cease publication at the end of the present volume. The Editors 

 feel, however, it is hoped Avithout undue egotism, that this course 

 would be a serious blow to the science of geology, and after long and 

 anxious consideration they have decided to raise the price of the 

 Magazine as from January next to 2s. 6d. per copy or 30«. per annum. 

 In taking this step they are compelled to rely on the loyalty of friends 

 and subscribers, and feel confident that this trust will not be misplaced. 

 The Editors venture to appeal most earnestly to present subscribers 

 to continue their subscriptions, and to use every effort in their power 

 to obtain fresh support, so that the Geological Magazine may be 

 enabled to continue unbroken its career, which it is hoped and 

 believed has been one of usefulness and honourable effort in the 

 cause of progress in geology. The Editors on their part will spare 

 no effort to maintain the traditions of the past, and by strict 

 attention to business to carry on the Magazine through the period of 

 storm and stress, which is perhaps only of a temporary nature. 

 Such is the present situation : the future rests with our readers. 

 * * * # ^ * 



We understand that the department that was set up by the Ministry 

 of Munitions early in 1917 for the development of the mineral 

 resources of this country, in the first instance under the control of 

 Sir Lionel Phillips, has been taken over by the Board of Trade, and 

 will be continued as a branch of its Industries and Manufactures 

 Department under the care of Dr. E. H. Hatch. 



decade vt. — vol. vi. — no. x. 28 



