PREFACE. 



In conformity with the practice observed in the past conduct 

 of this Journal, we submit with the December number for the 

 year 1888, a brief exposition of the circumstances, adverse or 

 favorable, under which it has been carried on. But as this is 

 the last volume of the series, conducted by the Editor who has 

 heretofore addressed his subscribers in this form, it is right 

 that our review should embrace the whole period of his conduct 

 of the work. 



It is known to all our readers, that the idea of establishing in 

 India a periodical work whose pages should be devoted to 

 Science, originated with the late Captain Herbert, who under 

 the name of Gleanings of Science issued monthly a few sheets, 

 professing to contain, with one or two original communications, 

 selected extracts from scientific works of Europe— -the selection 

 being confined to such as, except through a reprint in India, 

 were likely to escape the perusal of the curious and interested. 

 The little Periodical thus modestly put forth found early 

 favor in Bengal: one cause of which may have been, that there 

 existed at that time no channel, through which the discoveries 

 and speculations of the learned and ingenious could find their 

 way to the public, except as separate works, which for short 

 treatises was out of the question, or through the learned pages 

 of the Asiatic Researches, of which the volumes appeared after 

 very uncertain periods, and latterly at very long intervals. 



The monthly Periodical issued under the name of the Glean- 

 ings of Science, having been conducted by Captain Herbert 

 for three years, with very creditable industry and judgment, and 

 with corresponding success, was transferred by him to Mr. James 

 Prinsep, consequently upon his obtaining employment at a 

 distance from Calcutta. The Periodical continued, for some 

 time after the change of Editor, to win its way to public favor 

 under the same name ; and, as the subscription list extended, 

 sheets and extra plates were added to its bulk — the new conduc- 



