PKEFACE. 



Dr. GtJNTHEK observes, — " This volume contains the Cyprinoid and 

 Clupeoid Fishes and several other small families formerly asso- 

 ciated with them, but already more or less distinctly separated by 

 Valenciennes 



" The number of species treated of in this volume amounts to 

 1281 ; many (407) are so imperfectly known that it appeared to be 

 sufiScient to mention them by name only. Cuvier and Valenciennes 

 enumerated 673 species in the corresponding parts of the •' Histoire 

 Naturelle des Poissons,' 318 of this number being either nominal or 

 very imperfectly described species. 



" Most of the Collections whence the specimens described in this 

 volume have been obtained are mentioned in the preceding volumes, 

 BO that I have to refer to the following only : — 



** 1. The typical specimens of East-Indian Cyprinoids and Clu- 

 peoids described by Dr. Bleeker. 



" 2. A Collection of species from the Dutch East-Indian posses- 

 sions and Holland, formerly in the Museum of the late Dr. van 

 Lidth de Jeude ; purchased of Mr. Damon. 



" 3. A Collection from the Cossye and Morar rivers, presented by 

 Lieut. R. C. Beavan, F.Z.S. 



" 4. A Collection from Cachar and Northern India, presented by 

 Lieut.-Col. Playfair, F.Z.S. 



" 5. Several Collections from the Madras Presidency, obtained of 

 Surgeon F. Day, F.Z.S. 



" 6. A small Collection from Angola, presented by Dr. Welwitsch. 



" 7. A Collection from Western Africa, presented by E. B. N. 

 "Walker, Esq. 



'*8. A large Collection of the Freshwater Fishes of Central 

 Europe, presented by Prof. v. Siebold, For.M.E.S. 



