THE 
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. 
Viol ue. 1890. INO 5% 
ANNOUNCEMEMT. 
The Nationat GroGRAPHic Socrery was organized in January, 
1888, ‘‘ to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge.” It is in- 
corporated under the laws of the District of Columbia, and has 
at present an active membership of about four hundred. 
The publication of a magazine was early determined upon as 
one of the means of increasing and diffusing geographic knowl- 
edge ; and two volumes of 7Vhe National Geographic Magazine 
have been published in the form of a quarterly journal. 
During the past two years it has been found that the form of 
publication adopted at the outset meets but imperfectly the needs 
of the Society : in the first place, since the season of active work 
in the Society includes the winter months only, there was an 
excess of material for the two earlier numbers and a dearth of 
material for the two later numbers of the volume; and in the 
second place, the necessity for holding articles until sufficient 
material for a number was received sometimes led to delay in 
publishing interesting and important matter. Accordingly it has 
been decided to discontinue the quarterly form and to publish the 
Magazine in the form of a series of brochures, each issued 
promptly as possible after reception of the material. The details 
of this modified form of publication are set forth elsewhere in 
this number of the Magazine. 
VOL, II. 20 
