BIOMETRIKA. 
The Editors of Bioirmtrika conclude with Part IV. their first vohime, and desire at the same 
time to say a few words to their friends and subscribers. The experience of this year has 
shown the Editors how difticult it is to fulfil all their promises within the limited space at their 
disposal. They have accordingly sought in this volume rather to show the variety of subjects 
to which biometric methods apply, than to give their readers l:)ibliography and exegesis. Thus 
this volume has been principally occupied with original memoirs in which the Editors have 
endeavoured to maintain a high standard of l)oth statistical method and observati(jiial care. 
They hope in their second volume to give a completer critical record of eai-lier and current 
biometric work and at the same time to deal more fully with the terminology and methods of 
statistical research in biology. 
The success of Biometrika has been greater in its first year than its founders ventured to 
anticipate. Except in one or two isolated cases it has met with a friendly welcome as an 
earnest endeavour to supply a real scientific want. But this success and the desii'e of the 
Editors to show what new fields biometry opens up have led to the extension of the Journal 
much beyond the size originally proposed. Subscribers to the first volume have received nearer 
500 than the promised 400 pages, together with a mass of numerical measurements and data, 
which must have permanent value, however much biological or statistical theories may develop. 
The Publishers on their side have in every way — in printing, talnilation and illustration, much 
of which has been of a difficult if not novel character — supported the endeavour of the Editors 
to produce a jom-nal which will well bear comi)arison with the leading ijeriudicals devoted to 
other special branches of science. 
All labour, however, of both Editors and Publishers must Ije unavailing unless Biometrika 
arouses and maintains in its supporters and subscribers what may perhaps be termed -a personal 
interest in its success. This can be exhibited materially not only by the r-enewal of existing 
subscriptions, but by the procuring of additional ones. The number of subscribers to Biometrika 
has doubled since it was started ; it is most important that none of these friends of its infancy 
should now desert it. If each existing subscriber would make a strenuous eftbrt to procure one 
or more additional subsciibers, the Editors might ho2)e that the subscription list for the second 
year would again be doubled ; the journal wt)uld then become self-supporting and its existence 
would be permanently secured. There are several University and public libraries, not only in 
Great Britain, but on the continent and in America which do not yet appear to have heard of 
Biometrika, and these can only become subscribers through the influence of local friends. 
In a second manner also personal interest in the Journal can be effectively exhibited, 
namely by sending to the Editors, not only original papers, but material for notes in the 
Miscellanea, ofi'prints for notice and suggestit)ns or criticisms upon what has appeared or should 
appear in its pages. The Editors accordingly appeal to their friends and subscribers for 
renewed and additional aid in these matters. 
It would greatly oblige the Editors and facilitate the work of the publishers if now sub- 
scribers would tear off and return to Messrs C. J. Clay and Sons the notice attached below; 
it may be sent through any bookseller. 
