PREFACE. 
The completion of the seventh volume of “ The Midland 
Naturalist,” and the character of its contents, form, we trust, 
a fair subject of congratulation for all who are interested in 
the progress of science in the Midlands. Owing to the active 
co-operation of several of the Societies belonging to the 
Midland Union our circulation has increased during the past 
year; but when we consider the very favourable terms on 
which the Magazine is supplied to Members of the Union 
(through their Secretaries), we hope to see a large increase 
in the number of subscribers in the year to come. 
To our contributors, who have loyally aided us during 
the past year, we return hearty thanks. They may rest 
assured that future workers in local science will find it 
necessary to very frequently refer to our pages. Our critics 
are earnestly invited—not to discontinue their criticism—but 
to render their active aid in the improvements which they 
desire. 
We are glad to note that “ The Midland Naturalist” is now 
the sole organ of publication of the Transactions of the 
Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society, and 
of the Natural History Section of the Leicester Literary and 
Philosophical Society. 
We earnestly ask for the co-operation of all Midland 
observers. In conversation with many friends living in various 
parts of our district, the Editors find scarcely one who does 
not mention some newly-discovered section—some rare plant, 
or insect, or bird lately seen. We appeal to them to put pen 
to paper, and to communicate to us more frequently the 
results of their investigations. Hundreds of workers hold 
back in the hope of perfecting their work at some future time 
—a time which probably never comes. 
To the Secretaries of the Societies in the Union we again 
look for aid in securing good original papers read before 
their respective Societies. In the matter of increasing our 
number of subscribers they can also render us most valuable 
aid. 
Finally, we ask help from one and all to render the new 
volume—for 1885—better than its seven predecessors. 
