PREFACE. 



The scope of the present work, which will probably consist of three 

 volumes, is sufficiently indicated by the Author's Introduction. The 

 first volume contains an account of the Selachii, Crossopterygii, and 

 Dipneusti, which together comprise but a small fraction of the total 

 number of species ; and of the Teleostean Suborder Malacopterygii 

 and part of the Ostariophysi. The first of these Suborders includes 

 the Mormyrida3 as its most important constituent so far as tlie 

 African fresh-water Fauna is concerned, while the second contains 

 the large Families Characinidir, Cyprinidic, and Silurida?. 



The greater part of the Cyprinidae, as well as the whole of the 

 Silurid?e, will be dealt with in Volume II. 



The explorations of the Congo by the Government of the late 

 Congo Free State and the Nile by the Egyptian Government, the 

 ichthyological results of which have been worked out by the author 

 of this Catalogue, have resulted in a large addition to the number of 

 fresh-water fishes known to occur in the respective districts. To the 

 action taken by the two Governments, and to the labours of the 

 individuals who have been concerned in the collection and preservation 

 of the specimens referred to, the possibility of preparing this Catalogue 

 has been mainly due. 



British Museum (Natural History), 



LONDOX. 



SIDNEY F. HARMEE, 



Keeper of Zoolofjij. 



