PREFATORY NOTE 



The writer, since 1874, has been collecting materials for a work to be 

 entitled "An Index Bibliography of American Ichthyology," the ob- 

 ject of which will be to render as easily accessible as possible to the 

 investigator and the student the literature relating to American fishes. 

 Its scope embraces not only anatomical and descriptive ichthyology, 

 but the literature of the fisheries, angling, fishery legislation and 

 diplomacy, fishery statistics, and the commerce of the fisheries. Refer- 

 ences will be made not only to separate works and pajjers in scientific 

 periodicals and the transaction of societies, but to all accessible articles 

 and paragraphs in narratives of voyages and books of travel in Amer- 

 ica, and to pertinent references in literary and sporting periodicals. 

 Briefly, it is the intention to enumerate by title every writing ever pub- 

 lished which refers to American fish or fisheries. The work will be 

 called an "index-bibliography," because it is intended to form a com- 

 prehensive index to the works it describes. Each title will be followed 

 by 'A brief descriptive or critical paragraph, which will supplement the 

 title and indicate in a general way the scope of its author's efibrt. In 

 the case of an important paper a synopsis of its contents maybe given. 

 Under each descriptive paper will be printed the names of the new 

 species described, with the locality whence the types were obtained, 

 and the page of the reference. In important works, containing critical 

 remarks, similar references may be given for each species discussed. 

 Eeferences to every engraving published will be made. 



The pressure of other engagements has delayed the completion of this 

 work, which it was at first intended to publish in 1876. It is now ex- 

 pected that it may be finished in 1884. Titles of works published before 

 July, 1884, will be included. In the mean time it is proposed, from time 

 to time, to publish special bibliographies of the writings of the most 

 prominent naturalists, for convenience of current reference, and to 

 invite criticism of methods, corrections of any kind, and the co-opera- 

 tion of those who are interested in the successful completion of the 

 undertaking. 



The first of these special bibliographies is now presented. No one 

 will be likely to question the propriety of selecting for its subject the 



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