PREFATORY REMARK. 



The volume on Zoophytes, to which the following chapters form an introduction, 

 includes descriptions of the species collected by the Exploring Expedition, together with 

 a comprehensive review of this department of science. All recent zoophytes, excepting 

 those of the groups Actinida;, Hydroidea, and Bryozoa, are embraced in the work, with 

 full descriptions and references to previous authorities. The whole number of Actinaria 

 comprised is four hundred and eighty-three ; and of these nearly half are for the first 

 time distinguished and described. They are illustrated by an Atlas of sixty-one folio 

 plates. 



The volumes form a part of the series published, as the results of the Expedition 

 under the command of Charles Wilkes, Esq., U. S. N., by authority of Congress. 



J.iMES D. Dana. 



New Haven, Conn., 



January 1, 1846. 



