PROSPECTUS. 



The Fishes of Madeira are no less interesting to the 

 scientific Ichthyologist from their novelty and singularity of 

 character, than generally striking and attractive by the bril- 

 liancy and splendour of their colouring. 



Several of the Genera, and of the Species more than one 

 fourth part, are either new or have been hitherto imperfectly 

 described ; and of the others, there are few the history of 

 which does not embrace some point of interest or curiosity. 



A brief enumeration of the species is contained in a memoir 

 by the Author, in the Transactions of the Zoological Society 

 of London, but unaccompanied by figures or details ; nor hither- 

 to has any more complete or satisfactory account appeared. 



To supply a chasm therefore in descriptive Ichthyology, and 

 furnish a correct and generally useful Iconography, are the 

 main objects of the present undertaking ; the materials for 

 which are the result of several years' patient investigation and 

 continual revisal on the spot. The figures will be all engraved 

 and coloured by the same hands which, in co-operation with 

 the Author, have originally drawn them — a combination much 

 in favour of their accuracy and correctness; and whilst the 

 Author has peculiar reason to regret the loss of his former 

 valued correspondent, the late much-lamented Secretary to the 

 Zoological Society, he has the satisfaction of relying confidently 

 on the kindness of the able Author of the accurate and elegant 

 History of British Fisl^es. »► 



No systematic order will be followed in the course of pub- 

 lication ; each plate, with the corresponding letter-press, will 

 form a chapter separately : but at the end of the Work a 

 systematic arrangement or synoptic table will be given. 



The Work will 1>'e published in Numbers, each containing 

 four plates, with the corresponding letter-press. Price in Royal 

 8vo. 2*. 6d. plain, 5s. coloured ; or in Demy 4to. 5^. plain, 

 7*. 6d. coloured. With both plain and coloured plates, 6*. 6c?. 

 Royal 8vo., lO*. 6d. Demy 4to. 



LONDON : PRINTED BY S. & J. BENTJ.EV, WIJ.SON & FJ.EV, 

 BAN<iOR HOUSE, 5H0K J.ANE. 



