Editorial. 101 



EDI7 ORIAL. 



There is a wide field on the Pacific Coast for the Scientist. The 

 botanist, the zoologist and the geologist may each keep his 

 hands well employed, discovering and recording new facts, each 

 in his special division. Inseparably connected with the sciences, 

 pure and applied, are all the industries ol the human race. The 

 stockman and farmer may glean many items of interest and prac- 

 tical value to him from the note- book of the zoologist. The 

 miner and the manufacturer will be well repaid in a fund of use- 

 ful information if he but consults the field notes and general con- 

 clusions arrived at by the geologist; in the laboratory of the 

 chemist or mineralogist other useful inlormation will be found. 



Still more intimately connected with the science of botany are 

 the many industries embraced in the general terms, agriculture 

 and horticulture. And those dependent upon these, the most 

 important of the industries of the world, must also give attention 

 to many related branches of knowledge if they would reap the 

 greatest returns. 



Recent investigations have led to a better realization of the in- 

 timate relations between the sciences, and pointed out how, by 

 studying one from a standpoint of investigation, we may better ap- 

 ply our knowlege of another science in industrial enterprises. 



We refer especially to the biological survey of the San Fran- 

 cisco mountain region, in Arizona, by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, 

 chief of the division of mammalogy of the United States Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. In North American Fauna, No. 3, Dr. 

 Merriam publishes the results of this exploration and presents im- 

 portant facts bearing on the geograpical distribution of plants 

 and animals. Instead of the usual outline of faunal districts he 

 conclusively shows that distribution of species is more intimately 

 connected with altitude than upon the geographical location. He 

 points out how the horticulturist may materially profit by study- 

 ing the natural vegetation around him; how the stockman may 

 know what breeds of animals are best adapted to a given region, 

 by noting the existing conditions of soil and climate, the wild ani- 

 mals which abound, and in instituting comparison between differ- 

 ent sections of country. 



This magazine will devote a considerable number of its pages 

 during the coming year toward arriving at a better acquaintance 

 with the fauna and flora and other natural resources of the Pacific 

 Coast. It will be our aim each month to present something of 

 interest and practical value not only to the naturalist — amateur or 

 professional — to the botanist and horticulturist, but to all who are 

 interested in attaining to a truly liberal education. 



There is a recognized field for a journal of the character we 

 have roughly outlined. True literature — instructive and enter- 

 taining — on any branch of science is comparatively rare and diffi- 

 cult of production. We hope through industry and perseverance 

 to attain the end in view with the assistance of those whom we 

 are well pleased to call friends. 



