The contents of this first volume of the eighth decade of the twentieth century show no indication of any lessening of research activity in pharmacology and toxicology, but unfortunately we must expect signs of decreased emphasis on work in fundamental or "pure" science as money available for support of research decreases or is shifted to mission-oriented programs. Hopefully, these programs will produce results of immediate benefit to mankind that will improve the image of science and scientists to the point where society will again be willing adequately to support basic research, which is the foundation of all applied science. Of course, our burgeoning population, our apparent unwillingness to provide equal opportunity for all, and the increasing evidence that we are polluting our environment to the point of threatening our very existence lends justification to a shift in priorities, but it is our duty to maintain pure science in our laboratories if only to educate our students properly.

The mounting interest in ecology has even affected the editorial staff of Annual Review of Pharmacology. Dr. Robert Dreisbach now classifies himself as an ecologist and has resigned from his post of Associate Editor. We will miss his experienced editorial hand and wise counsel, but wish him well in his new endeavor. We have been fortunate, however, in recruiting two associate editors to replace Dr. Cutting and Dr. Dreisbach. Dr. Ronald Okun, Associate Professor of Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics and of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, brings his talents as a clinical pharmacologist and Dr. Robert George, Professor of Pharmacology, Center for Health Sciences at the University of California at Los Angeles, adds much needed expertise in endocrinology, particularly neuroendocrinology. From long association with both men, the Editor knows that they will be dedicated members of the Annual Reviews team for many years to come.

Finally, our sincere thanks to our efficient, dependable Subject Indexer, Dorothy Read, to our capable, wise, and witty Assistant Editor, Virginia Hoyle, who really keeps the rest of the team on the right track, and to our publishers, the George Banta Company, Inc., for maintaining their standard of technical excellence.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD