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The completion of the first volume of the "Midland Naturalist" seems to call for a few remarks from those who undertook its editorship,

The purposes and aims of this periodical are fully set forth in the opening address (p. 1.) How far the ideas and hopes therein expressed have been fulfilled we must leave our readers to decile, but we can earnestly assure them that on the part of the Editors and Publishers no efforts have been spared to realise all that was promised.

It is, however, with the future rather than with the past that we are now concerned. If the " Midland Naturalist" is to assume its proper position in scientific literature, as the official organ of so large and influential a body as the Midland Union of Scientific and Literary Societies, then continual efforts must be made for its improvement. But the power to se improve any Magazine, to illustrate it well, as we wish to do, to enlarge it so as to admit both popular and abstruse scientific communications, is entirely dependent on the number of subscribers. Of the 4,000 members belonging to our Union, too few have, as yet, become annual subscribers to this Journal. During the coming year the number ought to be largely increased, and we ask every one of our readers to aid in bringing this about.

Furthermore, every subscriber should consider him or herself as commissioned to observe and report on all occurrences of scientific interest which may happen in their neighbourhood. It cannot be doubted that hundreds of