Volume Six, planned about three years ago to be devoted entirely to the family Gesneriaceae, was to be published in conjunction with the First International Gesneriad Symposium held in July 1982. We apologize to our subscribers for the year delay. We regret we are still unable to publish Dr. Wiehler's complete paper at this late date. The editorial committee and reviewers, however, believe that the bulk of the incomplete manuscript published herein is of sufficient botanical merit to warrant publication as it is. . .. Ed.