PREFACE. 
their tingling fingers tlirongli their woollen jnits. Christmas again 
is coming ; and a merry, hearty, jovial, happy time may it be to all 
and every of my friends and readers — aye, and to my enemies, too, if 
I have any ; — on that one day, at least, God bless them. 
My thanks are again due to my good and sincere friend, Thos. 
Davidson, Esq., for Ms excellent contributions on the Scottish 
Brachiopoda, and to my other excellent friends, H. C. Salmon, Esq., 
F. E. Edwards, Esq., Dr. Gibb, T. Rupert Jones, Esq , G. V. Du 
Noyer, Esq., C. Moore, Esq., Major Austin, and my other contributors. 
I ought also to return my best thanks to my very numerous kind 
querists for the many gratifications they have given me in the 
pleasures I have had in replying to their interesting questions. 
Nothing seems to make my editorial labours so light as these kindly 
communications ; they seem a homely family link between us that 
binds us together in the gi-eat brotherhood of geologists. 
On the 1st of January, 1861, I shall again hoist the old colom-s, 
when our ship will appear with fresh decorations, handsome to look 
at, and in thorough repair. Some new and agreeable passengers will 
be on board amongst the old sailors, and we shall start vigorously 
on oar fourth voyage. 
S. J. MACKIE 
Decemher, 1860. 
