The Silliman Journal is pleased to present another issue which focuses on the biological issues again including both marine and terrestiral studies. Technical as these papers may appear, I believe there is much here to interest the non-specialist.

While the giant clam species are presently endangered in the Philippines, they also offer much hope for the future of this country. Research at the Silliman University Marine Laboratory and elsewhere continues to pave the way to their large-scale commercial exploitation, in a way that will increase rather than decrease the species' chances of suirvival. Giant clam farming is becoming a reality!

"An Annotated Checklist of the Taxonomic and Conservation Status of Land Mammals in the Philippines" by Heaney, Gonzales, and Alcala promises to become the definitive reference guide for those interested in the mammals of the Philippines. Note that the authors have included comments on the conservation status of the mammals listed, calling our attention to those pressured or endangered, providing a bench mark for subsequent investigations.

Espcially worthy of notice are the last two articles in this issue. "Morphometry and Physico-Chemical Profiles of Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao (Philippines)" by Jones and Delalamon, and "The Climate and Hydrology of the Lake Balinsasayao Watershed, Negros Orietal, Philippines" by Heideman and Erickson, continuing the long series of studies of Lake Balinsasayao published here. The authors of both articles underline the fragile condition of this last significant spot of virgin wilderness in southern Negros, apparently soon doomed to be denuded like the rest of the island. The future looks grim indeed, as hungry and landless peasants, illegal loggers and other exploiters, even armed rebels and their military counterparts all converge on the Balinsasayao area.