LONDON:

Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,

New-Street-Square.

ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY,
AND METEOROLOGY.

CONDUCTED

By J. C. LOUDON, F.L.S. G.S. &c.

MEMBER OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, AND OF VARIOUS
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES ON THE CONTINENT.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

LONDON:

Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode, New-Street-Square.

Thank

6-27-29

19952

37 vol.

PREFACE.

THE First Volume of the Magazine of Natural History is submitted
to its readers, as a fair specimen of what that Periodical is intended
to be; subject, however, to such improvements as may, from time
to time, suggest themselves to its Conductor.

The Introduction (p. 1.) describes the objects it proposes to
embrace : — 1. A more general diffusion of a knowledge of Ani-
mals, Vegetables, and Minerals, technically and physiologically;
of their commixture and disposition under the earth's surface, or
Geology; and their disposition over it in the atmosphere, as Land-
scape scenery. 2. A record of discoveries in these branches of
knowledge; and of the actual state and progress of the taste for
Natural History, in different parts of the British empire, and
throughout the world. 3. A summary of the progress of discovery
in natural science during the past year.

In conformity with these objects, original communications, in-

troductory to Linnean Botany, will be found, p. 124. 228. and

429. ; to Jussieuean Botany, p. 30. 135. 238. and 333. ; to Zoology,

p. 97. and 309.; to Ornithology, p. 121. ; to Entomology, p. 421.;

to Geology, p. 249. and 442.; to Meteorology, p. 147.; and to

Landscape scenery, p. 37. and 242. Of new facts or theories, it is

not to be supposed that many can have occurred, or come to our

knowledge, since this Magazine has been in existence; but the

discoveries of Professor Nees von Esenbeck, M. Franz Unger, and

others, on the Metamorphoses of the Reproductive Bodies of some

Algæ, p. 306.; the researches of Mr. Brown, M. Brongniart, and

M. Raspail, on the particles of the Pollen of Plants, and on the

ultimate particles of matter in general, p. 473.; and of Dr. Mar-

tius, on the Structure of Plants, p. 475.; have been recorded, or

noticed, preparatory to more complete details.

The Miscellaneous Intelligence and Collectanea of this Maga-

zine (see Contents, p. vi.) contain a various assemblage of original
communications, and extracts from published works, detailing the
local state and progress of Natural History in the different coun-
ties and cities of Britain, in North and South America, in Australia,

and in other parts of the world. In these two departments of
the work, as well as among the Original Communications, will be
found numerous fragments of information, presented in various
forms and combinations, with a view to keep alive the interest of
the general reader; and gradually, and in an agreeable manner, to
store his mind with facts.

With respect to an Annual Summary of Discoveries, after con-
sulting some of the principal naturalists of France and Germany,
we are convinced it is impossible to do this as we intended; viz. to
give those of every year at its termination; because, the materials
for the year cannot be got together for weeks, or even months,
after the year is completed. The attempt, we are informed, has
been made without success; and we are not sure that we shall run
the risk of having our efforts added to the number of failures. At
any rate, we shall not attempt such a summary for the year about
to be completed, till an advanced period in the next year; and, in
the mean time, if our readers do not calculate on receiving any
further summary in future Volumes than what can be given in such
a Preface as the present, they will, at least, not be disappointed.
They may rely, at the same time, on our being sufficiently alive to
our own interest, not to neglect such a summary if it shall be
found practicable, and can be done well. We date this Preface
from the city of Naturalists, and the best sources of information
on all that relates to Natural History.

Paris, Dec. 16. 1828.

J. C. L.