By J. C. LOUDON, F.L., G., & Z.S. MEMBER OF VARIOUS NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES ON THE CONTINENT. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1830. LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PREFACE. In glancing over the Table of Contents of this Third Volume of the Magazine of Natural History, the reader cannot fail to observe the great increase in the number of its contributors. As nine tenths of these are personally strangers to the Conductor, and write for the promotion of science or for their own instruction, he cannot but consider this circumstance a proof of the increasing interest of the work, and of the gradual advancement of a taste for Natural History in this country. It would argue a want of generous feeling on his part, were he not to acknowledge how much he is gratified at having projected a work which seems to have supplied the wants of the times, in the department of which it treats. Periodical works may be divided into two classes: those which are supported by the voluntary contributions of their readers; and those which are forced into circulation by the hired communications of eminent writers. In our opinion, the first class alone answers the legitimate object of a Journal of Science. A forced periodical of any kind is like an exotic plant, which requires to be continually nursed in a hot-house: a self-supported journal, or one naturally arising from the wants of the times, is like an indigenous plant, or a plant that has been naturalised, and which will thrive with ordinary care and culture in the open air. A self-supported Magazine of Natural History may be considered as representing the wants and wishes of the lovers of Natural History of the time and country in which it appears: a forced journal of any kind can only be considered as representing the personal wants and wishes of the parties concerned in its production. The latter description of periodical may for a time be more conducive to the fame and profit of its authors and owners: the former will naturally at first be defective in these objects; but in both of them it may be reasonably expected to increase as it proceeds. Such is the theory which we have deduced from our experience in the conducting of periodicals; and it is partly in conformity with that theory, and partly to comply with the request of a |
