The appearance of Volume Ten of this Annual Series prompts us to pick up the retrospectroscope for a look at where we have gone in these turbulent, fascinating years. Perhaps the most apparent observation is that stability, which Windsor Cutting felt the series had achieved five years ago, has continued. Many of the titles in this volume are similar to those of Volume One, indicating that most areas of interest to pharmacologists contain unfinished business. On the other hand, when read in series the papers in any area reflect the progress of the past decade, which is principally the result of our increasing understanding of biological events at the molecular level and the development of new and powerful investigational techniques. For example, antiviral agents are receiving increasing attention, as are immunosuppressive and relatively specific carcinostatic com- pounds.

New topics have also appeared during the decade. The "pill" was first discussed in Volume Four, and various aspects of its pharmacology have appeared in four subsequent reviews. No one can accuse the Editorial Board of lack of interest in the important human functions! Developmental and perinatal pharmacology have become subspecialties and space-pharmacology and toxicology and behavioral pharmacology are with us to stay.

Increasing complexity of our science is reflected in the tendencies of authors to restrict their reviews to specialized topics, and while this means that not all the research in a given area is reviewed each year, it is actually advantageous since in-depth reviews result. For a change of pace we can trace the development of modern pharmacology in the essays by eminent authors of the prefatory chapters and anyone who doesn't believe that pharmacologists have a sense of humor must contend with Carl Dragstedt!

Finally, to review the passing parade we welcome our new editor-in-chief at Annual Reviews, Robert R. Schultz, and wish Godspeed to Windsor Cutting who finds that building a new medical school in Hawaii is an all-consuming occupation. We are fortunate indeed to have had his help for a full ten years.

As always, sincere thanks are given to our capable assistant editor, Virginia Hoyle, and to the George Banta Company, Inc., our printers.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD