EDITORIAL NOTES. 



The Report which forms the first part of the present volume is, as Mr. 

 Lyman says, a complete Monograph of the Ophiuriche and Astrophytidse. 



As representatives of these two families, especially the former, were the 

 animals most frequently obtained in our trawlings and dredgings, the 

 examination and description of our large collections has been a most laborious 

 undertaking. 



The Memoir contains the description of twenty new genera, and one 

 hunched and sixty-seven new species, together with a list of all known 

 forms. 



To these must be added another new genus and three new species, which, 

 for reasons stated in the Postscript, did not reach Mr. Lyman till his Mono- 

 graph was in type. 



The late Editor was most fortunate in securing the co-operation of our 

 American friends, Messrs. Lyman and Agassiz, in working out the Echino- 

 dermata of the Expedition. It remains for me to congratulate Mr. Lyman 

 on the successful completion of this valuable contribution to Science. 



In the lists of the Challenger Reports which have hitherto been published. 

 the paper which forms the second part of this volume has been entitled, 

 " Report on the Marsupialia," but this name does not correctly indicate its 

 true character. 



Shortly after the return of the Challenger to England, one or two scarce 

 Marsupials were handed over to Dr. (now Professor) D. J. Cunningham for 

 anatomical examination. 



While engaged in the study of these species, Professor Cunningham found 

 it necessary, so far as the foot was concerned, to push his inquiries into the 

 Mammalia generally : and to assist him in this more extended investigation, a 



