Vol I, No. 1, N.Z. JOURNAL OF SCIENCE (New Issue) JANUARY, 1891. Judicio perpende et si tibi vera videntur Dede manus: aut si falsum est, adcingere contra. -LUCRETIUS. The NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF SCIENCE was first published just nine years ago and after an existence of four years, its publication was suspended until better times should dawn on the Colony. The causes which led to the discontinuance of the periodical were stated in the last number, that of November, 1885. These causes may again lead to the suspension of the present issue, but we trust that by the exercise of a more severe economy in management, all expenses but the most necessary will be eliminated, and thus the Journal will be kept going as long as a minimum number of subscribers can be got. As was stated in the circular sent out on 1st November, 1890, there is no margin of profit in the publication of such a periodical, unless the subscribers are far more numerous than past experience leads us to expect. Should, however, the number of subscribers exceed our anticipations, then the size of the publication will be increased, and we may even hope to resume illustrations. As we have no machinery for the collection of subscriptions, it must be understood that all subscribers are expected to pay in advance, as on no other plan can the venture be carried out. As regards the lines on which the publication will be conducted, past experience may supply a few hints. It is intended, as far as possible, to exclude all purely technical matter such as descriptions of species, &c., except where brief details may be introduced descriptive of authors' papers. Where it is desirable to give information on purely technical papers relating to New Zealand, the attempt will be made to obtain simple and concise abstracts. It is hoped that all scientific papers relating to this colony, or containing matter of special interest in this part of the world, will be brought under the notice of the Editor. Notes on Natural History, Acclimatisation and kindred subjects ought to bulk largely in such a periodical. We should also like to see our columns made use of for the discussion of scientific methods in mining and other applied arts, which are of immense use in a colony like this. It may be asked: What is there in the signs of the times which should lead to greater anticipations of success than in 1882 ? We reply that in view of the recent formation of the Australasian Association for the advancement of Science, and the fact that its meeting this season is to be held in New Zealand, the time seems opportune for reviving the Journal. Such a gathering of scientific men in these islands, can hardly fail to excite a spirit of renewed activity among some whose interest may be flagging. Every year there will probably be a more and more determined attempt to cut out of the annual Parliamentary estimates of this colony the small vote which secures the publication of the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. The class of men who are being 828903 |