SCIENCE. 
321 
SCIENCE: 
A Weekly Record of Scientific 
Progress. 
JOHN MICHELS, Editor. 
Published at 
229 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 
P. O. Box 3838. 
DECEMBER 31, 1880. 
NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. 
We consider it due to those subscribers who have favored 
us with their subscriptions, previous to the publication of 
our club rates, that they should have the privileges of the 
list. They can therefore send us subscriptions for any or 
all of the publications named at the reduced double rates, 
less $4, the subscription price of “ Science.” 
We have studiously avoided occupying the pages of 
this journal with personal reference to its progress, but 
the conclusion of the first volume appears to be an 
appropriate moment to offer a few words on this sub- 
ject, and to acknowledge our obligations to those, 
who, by their subscriptions or literary contributions, 
have aided in making “ Science ” a success. 
A selection from the letters addressed to us by sci- 
entific investigators, approving of the management of 
the journal, or containing congratulations for the 
future, would fill the pages of this number ; having 
only a column at our service, we make but one refer- 
ence, which appears to epitomize all previous com- 
munications. 
In a letter recently received from the last President 
of the Association for the Advancement of Science, 
Professor George F. Barker, are these words : 
“ I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the 
success of “ Science.” The numbers which I have 
seen have been creditable to all concerned.” 
With this testimony to the standing of the journal 
from so severe a critic and one so eminently capable 
of forming an opinion of what a scientific journal 
should be, we might be well content to rest, but being 
fully aware that better results may be attained, our 
unremitting efforts in the future will be directed to 
secure a still higher standard, and more perfect devel- 
opment of the various departments. 
We would remind specialists, who desire to see cer- 
tain branches more fully represented in “Science,” 
how much may be accomplished by individual efforts, 
As an instance, we may refer to our astronomical de- 
partment, which already reflects the high attainments 
and esprit de corps of those following this line of re- 
search. 
Twenty-six weeks only have elapsed since our first 
number was issued, of which period the first half was 
a time of recreation and rest, when few were within 
reach of our announcements ; it is therefore a subject 
of congratulation that in so short a time our pages 
show a vitality indicative of a journal which has ex- 
isted years rather than a few weeks. 
It is a pleasure to find on our subscription list the 
names of so many representative scientific men, both 
of the United States and Canada, while all the leading 
Universities and Colleges of this country receive 
“Science” through members of their faculties. This 
journal is also now circulating in England, France, 
Germany and Italy. 
We have placed several pages weekly at the service 
of the Smithsonian Institution, and are willing to in- 
crease the number of our sheets as the matter awaits 
publication. This offer has been so far accepted, that 
arrangements are in progress, by which the difficulty of 
compilation may be overcome. 
We have demonstrated that a really scientific week- 
ly journal can be conducted without conflicting with 
the old established monthlies, which have their special 
field of usefulness, and when the editor of the Amer- 
ican Journal of Science (which may be considered 
one of the institutions of this country) sent us his 
good wishes for success, we accepted his greeting in all 
sincerity. 
England, France, Germany and Italy, have each their 
representative weekly scientific journal. Is there an 
American scientist with so poor an opinion of the sci- 
entific work of his country, or of his fellow workers, 
as to think the same convenience for the United States 
superfluous ? 
“ Science” has received a welcome and strong sup- 
port far beyond the expectations of the editor ; but it 
must be apparent to all that the personal co-operation 
of every scientific man, in the future, will not only in- 
sure the permanency of the publication, but increase 
its usefulness and value ; let all, then, who are inter- 
ested in the promotion and advancement of science 
in the United States, whether professionally engaged 
or as student, or amateur, feel that one and all are in- 
vited to assist in the work. 
Those who are acquainted with journalism must be 
aware that the capital employed in this enterprise has 
been advanced for the best interests of science rather 
than for speculative purposes. The editor, therefore, 
in making this appeal for general co-operation, feels 
that he may do so without danger qf misinterpretation 
of his motives, 
