10 Bulletin, Vanderhilt Marine Museum, Vol. II 



major regions ranges from terrestrial and littoral to true deep-sea 

 forms, the deep-sea stations ranging in depth from 300 to 1100 

 fathoms. 



Considered systematically, the collection embraces Stomatopoda, 

 Brachyura, Anomura, Macrura, Schizopoda, Isopoda, Amphipoda, 

 Mysidacea, Cirripedia and Copepoda. The first two groups form the 

 subject of the present volume. The remainder comprise volume three 

 of the bulletin series of the Vanderbilt Marine Museum, now in press. 

 The annotated discussion of the collection is presented with reference 

 to its systematic classification. A list of the species found in each 

 major faunal region is given also. 



The great value of the collection lies in the astonishing number of 

 rare species it possesses and in the related extension of our knowledge 

 of the geographic and bathymetric distribution of these forms, as pre- 

 sented in the systematic discussion. Much hitherto unpublished data 

 on the colors of the various species was made in field-sketches by Mr. 

 Vanderbilt, during all of the cruises, except those to the Galapagos 

 Islands, on which his staff artist, Mr. "W. E. Belanske, continued this 

 work under Mr. Vanderbilt 's direction. A few of these color plates 

 of the Crustacea have been published in Mr. Vanderbilt 's "To the 

 Galapagos on the 'Ara' "; a great many more are in the study col- 

 lections of the Vanderbilt Marine Museum. This volume also contains 

 complete maps of the cruises of 1926 and 1928. Valuable notes on the 

 habits of some of the species were made in the field by Mr. Vanderbilt ; 

 these notes have been augmented by field-notes made by the present 

 writer while on various expeditions during the past decade. 



It is hoped that this contribution to our knowledge of the Crustacea 

 of the four major faunal regions discussed may serve to stimulate inter- 

 est in this remarkable group of neglected Arthropods. The Crustacea, 

 represented by many thousands of valid species, are a very vital factor 

 in the ecology of the sea. Yet the group, comparable in its diversifica- 

 tion, complex structures and remarkable life-histories with their strange 

 metamorphoses, to the great class Insecta, has been curiously neglected. 

 Probably less than a hundred species have had their life-histories 

 studied. Little is known of the habits of even the common species; 

 with the exception of a few reliable books, the systematic literature is 

 scattered, poorly illustrated and subject to many errors traceable to 

 poor microscopy. There is great need for the thorough monographic 

 study of the Crustacea of the world. Such a work would be invaluable 

 to all students of oceanography. 



