2 The Australasian Scientific Magazine. [August i, 1885* 
notices of a few Societies which appear in the newspapers occasionally, seem 
to show what good work may be done, if our Magazine is successful. It 
is sometimes quite impossible for gentlemen to see the transactions of par- 
ticular Societies at all, or even for a member of some particular Society 
to complete his own set; or the volume which was in course of production 
when he was elected. And even from such opportunities of keeping pace 
with the progress of knowledge as town members possess, country residents 
are debarred. Some of them cannot procure their reports of the trans- 
actions until six or twelve months after the time of issue, and for causes 
which are perfectly remediable, the trouble of procuring them at all, destroys 
half their value. 
All these and many similar evils will be now cleared away by the estab- 
lishment of this periodical, which will be devoted exclusively to the 
learned societies. It will be issued monthly, and each number will contain 
a portrait and short biographical sketch . of some well-known gentleman of 
science in Australasia, and will be distributed, as may be most convenient, 
either through our publishers, or persons appointed in connection with 
the different societies as secretaries. The proceedings of some of the 
more important societies will be published in full, and so will contain 
a faithful narrative of every occurrence of interest, while occasionally a 
short abstract of any important paper will appear. The establishment 
of this magazine will afford an opening to young societies for the publica- 
tion of the more important papers read before them, and so assist them in 
their earlier stage of activity. It will be necessary, however, for their 
respective secretaries to draw up and furnish each account as regularly 
and as carefully as possible, as the value of the whole would be 
greatly lessened through occasional interruption. It is easy to see 
what good effects will flow at once from such an arrangement The 
separate numbers will contain from year to year the elements of 
the history of all important societies. We will record every election, 
whether of members, council, or officers ; every removal, by death or 
otherwise, any presentation ; the title, and occasionally the substance, of 
every paper read; any important alteration in the laws of any and the 
statistics of the various societies. Our magazine, too,, will be the best 
medium for remarks and enquiries respecting the various societies and 
their labours; for occasional essays and correspondence on topics of 
common interest, and for reviews of all works of science issued. 
There is no doubt that this magazine may fail to reach many who 
are connected with various societies, but it is equally certain that it 
will be regularly read by many other literary and scientific men who are 
not so connected; and it is probable that an interest will be thus 
awakened in the minds of the latter, which will induce to seek for a 
complete participation in the benefits which some of the societies bestow. 
Our magazine will be, at all events, an important step taken to promote 
the union and harmonious working of the societies ; without the slightest 
interference with each other, or possible injury to them. Many an 
unknown and unfriended inquirer in remote districts will be cheered and 
encouraged ; and not a few societies that barely exist, will be nourished 
into life and activity. We, therefore, in closing our remarks, hope that 
the Australasian scientific public will appreciate us on our own merits, and 
give us the benefit of their support in meeting a long-felt want. 
