The first volume of Evolutionary Biology was published thirteen years ago. Since that time thirteen volumes and one supplement have appeared. As stated in earlier prefaces, we are continuing the focus of this series on critical reviews, commentaries, original papers, and controversies in evolu­ tionary biology. It is our aim to publish papers primarily of greater length than normally published by society journals and quarterlies. We therefore invite colleagues to submit chapters that fall within the focus and standards of Evolutionary Biology. The editors regretfully announce that Dr. William C. Steere has decided to withdraw from the editorial board of Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Ghillean T. Prance will replace Dr. Steere for forthcoming volumes. Manuscripts should be sent to anyone of the following: Max K. Hecht, Department of Biology, Queens College of the City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367; Bruce Wallace, Department of Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850; Ghillean T. Prance, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York 10458. The Editors vii Contents 1. Some Relationships between Density-Independent Selection and Density-Dependent Population Growth Timothy Prout Introduction ............................................ . Part I. The Basic Model: Definitions, Assumptions, and Relationships .................................... 3 Part II. Biological Aspects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . Introduction ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . The Biological Interpretation of the Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 . . . . Experimental and Observational Aspects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 . . . . Part III. Census-Stage Theory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 22 . . . . . . . . Introduction ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 . . . . . . . . . . . Two-Point Census ...................................... 23 Three-Point Census: Classical Selection .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 42 . . . Summary of Two-and Three-Point Censuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . . Part IV. Summary and Some Implications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 . . . . Summary.............................................. 52 Some Implications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 . . . . . . . . . . Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .