10 PREFACE 



and pretentious character are given. We hope that it may thus 

 serve as a stepping-stone to those whose love of nature may lead 

 them to achieve to that greater delight in her works which can 

 come only through long and thoughtful study of her manifold 

 forms and wonderful ways. 



Lastly we hope that these pages may serve to render the col- 

 lections of the Aquarium, and of the Natural History Museums of 

 New York and Brooklyn more intelligible, and to aid, even if it he 

 but little, in the educational work which it is the high mission of 

 these institutions to perform. 



It gives the author sincere pleasure to express his gratitude to 

 the authorities of the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and 

 Sciences in allowing him to take photographs of specimens upon 

 exhibition within the Museum. 



Of the 119 figures; HI are derived from photographs of living 

 or dead specimens, while eight are taken from hitherto unpublished 

 illustrations. Of the illustrations ; three representing a coral reef 

 of the Bahamas, the giant squid, and the American octopus are from 

 paintings by Herbert B. Judy, Esq. The originals are on exhibi- 

 tion at the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. 

 Five illustrations are from drawings by the author. Of the ill 

 photographs of animals; one, that of Sagartia leucolena was pre- 

 sented by Mr. William F. Patterson, while the remainder were 

 taken bv the author. 



