PREFACE, 
A STEADILY-CONTINUED increase in the subscription-list 
may be taken as evidence that ‘The Naturalist’ is 
appreciated by the class of readers for whom it is 
intended, and the large number of notes and _ articles 
which the present volume contains, not one of which 
but conveys an item of information or a fact of some 
value, shows that a journal of its character is required. 
The Editor takes this opportunity of thanking the 
subscribers for their support, his colleagues in the 
Editorship for their assistance, and the contributors for 
the interesting character and great value of the articles 
and notes which go to make up the present volume. 
He has also the pleasure of announcing that in 
future the duties and responsibility of the chief Editor- 
ship will be shared by Mr. Edgar R. Waite, F.L.S. 
The Editors trust that all their present subscribers 
and contributors will continue to support them, and they 
are also desirous to have the means of giving illustra- 
tions, regularly if possible, at all events occasionally, and 
therefore propose to circulate an appeal for a large 
increase in the subscription-list, to enable this to be 
pecuniarily possible. They trust to have the influence 
of their present supporters to the same end. 
