PREFACE. 



IN writing a few lines by way of Preface to the Annual volume of 

 Science-Gossip, the Editor calls to mind that this is the twenty- 

 eighth yearly presentation to the world of a Magazine founded and 

 edited in the interests of popular Science. The period in question is 

 a long one, even in the life of a man ; it is comparatively longer in that 

 of a Magazine. Within its lifetime what hosts of new discoveries 

 have been made ; what myriads of original observations have been 

 chronicled ! The entire history of Science has no more eventful period. 

 The twenty-eight volumes of our Magazine constitute the best popular 

 encyclopaedia of this eventful time. No wonder, therefore, they are 

 constantly in demand among our newer subscribers ; and inquired for 

 in publishers' and booksellers' Catalogues, in the " Original blue 

 cloth." SCIENCE-GOSSIP stands alone in the fact that its earlier 

 numbers fetch more than their original price. Even its own publishers 

 offer double for certain numbers, to make up sets ; and those from 

 the first to the two hundred and twenty-eighth issues are stated at 

 eightpence instead of fourpence. 



Within its literary lifetime, SCIENCE-GOSSIP has had to compete 

 with numerous rivals ; but it has succeeded in keeping its place in 

 spite of able and keen competition. We would point out that each 

 annual volume has been marked by distinct scientific features. In the 

 present volume, for example, we would call attention to the able and 

 original papers of Messrs. Lord, B. Thomas, Bryce, Nunning, Harcourt- 

 Bath, P. Thompson, H. Friend, A. Bennett, T. V. Holmes, Tansley, 



