vi Introduction 



Dr F. A. Bather succeeding Mr W. L. Sclater as Secretary. The 

 kindness of the members of the Committee has been considerable, 

 and I am much indebted to them for their advice and interest. The 

 British Association has consistently supported the finances, and 

 valuable help has been received in this direction from the Zoological 

 Society and the Royal Society. 



In 1897 Dr Sclater suggested to the Committee that, in view of 

 the long time that must elapse before the completion of the whole 

 manuscript, which it was proposed should embrace the period from 

 1758 to 1900, it would be well if a portion were prepared and pub- 

 lished as a specimen of the whole. This suggestion has been acted 

 upon, and there is now offered to the consideration of zoologists that 

 part of the work covering the years 1758-1800 inclusive. During the 

 progress of this earHer portion of the manuscript it became apparent 

 that a great deal of the Hterature required was not to be found in 

 England, and it is satisfactory to be able to say that, with a few 

 unimportant exceptions, the bulk of the 1300 volumes required have 

 either been seen, or else seen and acquired for some one or other of 

 the Hbraries accessible to the pubHc. The search for these volumes 

 has been not the least interesting part of my labours. Such as have 

 eluded my search are mentioned in " Libri desiderati " : while a com- 

 plete enumeration of the books consulted has been given in a second 

 Hst, this seeming to be advisable and useful ; and at the same time 

 such notes are given on them as would be of use to those who might 

 wish to consult or purchase them. 



The foHowing remarks wiH be of service to those who use this 

 volume : — 



Nomifia ntida are distinguished by the letters \n. n.]. 



Nomina ^zz^^a^^ accompanied by figures, by the letters \n. et f!\ 



In those cases where an author has described and figured a species 

 some time after printing his 7iomen nudum, a reference is also given 

 to the nomen nudum, when possible. 



Species " indett.," if figured, are included in the index. 



Misprints are quoted only if considered Hable to cause confusion. 



The date of pubHcation of a species is taken to be that date on 

 which the print in which the name appears is offered for pubHc sale 

 or pubHc distribution, 



No author's copy, or excerpt from any pubHcation distributed 

 privately before such pubHcation was offered for pubHc sale or pubHc 

 distribution has been accepted. 



In the case of privately printed books, entries taken from them 

 are distinguished by the words \auct. typ?[. 



