EDITORIAL COMMENT. 
d 
Keys for the Determination of American Invertebrates. — 
Beginning with the next issue the American Naturalist will publish a 
series of synoptical tables or keys for the determination of American 
invertebrates, each key covering one group. Each article will be 
prefaced by a brief account of the habits and occurrence of the 
forms under consideration, with hints for collecting, and will be 
accompanied by simple illustrations where such are necessary to 
emphasize points of systematic importance. An American bibli- 
ography and the best general references will form a part of each 
contribution. We have long had the valuable Manual of Vertebrates 
of our distinguished co-editor, Professor Jordan, and the Naturalist 
now strives to supplement in a measure this useful work by publish- 
ing synopses or keys for the invertebrates, hoping thus gradually to 
give to Americans an equivalent of the German ‘ Leunis,’ correspond- 
ing to which there is nothing in the English language. The task we 
have set for ourselves is not an easy one. We cannot hope to cover 
all the invertebrates of North America, as many groups have been 
but partially studied, which is true particularly of western and Pacific 
forms. It will be our effort, however, to present to our readers brief 
synopses of the present state of our knowledge.. We invite correc- 
tion and criticism, and beg our readers to test our keys to their full 
capacity ; and if they will send to us specimens that they cannot place 
in the keys, we will undertake to determine and return them. Such 
cooperation will aid us in enlarging and revising the keys for future 
issue, and help in perfecting the work we have undertaken —a 
Manual of Invertebrates. Uniformity of treatment can at first 
hardly be realized, owing to the many sources from which the 
contributions must come, but we look forward to the accumulation 
of material sufficient for the publication of at least one homogeneous 
volume. Eminent specialists have pledged their coöperation ; the 
first of the series, to appear in the July issue, will deal with the 
fresh-water Bryozoa. 
Outdoor Nature Study.— Any one who has witnessed the strug- 
gles of the average unprepared school-teacher with “ nature study” 
knows how much in need she is of a friendly guide to take her out of 
Sir 
