PREFACE. 



such means as oiir illustrations afford for the accurate identification 

 of the fishes referred to in the regulations of that branch of the 

 Service, and concerning the habits and time of spawning of which 

 the local inspectors are requu-ed to report. 



The succeeding Decades will illustrate as many different genera 

 as possible, and will deal first usually with species of some special 

 interest, and of which good figui'es do not exist, or are not easily 

 accessible. 



Frederick McCoy. 

 2nd October 1878. 



[5] 



