INTRODUCTION: 



WHEN the South African Museum was reorganised on a 

 wider basis in the year 1897, and specialists were placed 

 in charge of its different departments, the Trustees felt 

 that one of the best means of increasing the scientific value 

 of the Institution would be to issue a serial publication 

 containing the results of the original work of the staff. 



It was subsequently decided that this work should take 

 the form of ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM, and 

 be issued in parts at irregular intervals as material became 

 available. 



The first volume, now completed, consists of three parts, 

 the first of which was issued in the year 1898, the second 

 and third in 1899. 



