10 PREFACE 
and pretentious character are given. We hope that it may thus 
serve as a stepping-stone to those whose love of nature may lead 
them to achieve to that greater delight in her works which can 
come only through long and thoughtful study of her manifold 
forms and wonderful ways. 
Lastly we hope that these pages may serve to render the col- 
lections of the Aquarium, and of the Natural History Museums of 
New York and Brooklyn more intelligible, and to aid, even if it be 
but little, in the educational work which it is the high mission of 
these institutions to perform. 
It gives the author sincere pleasure to express his gratitude to 
the authorities of the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and 
Sciences in allowing him to take photographs of specimens upon 
exhibition within the Museum. 
Of the 119 figures; 111 are derived from photographs of living 
or dead specimens, while eight are taken from hitherto unpublished 
illustrations. Of the illustrations; three representing a coral reef 
of the Bahamas, the giant squid, and the American octopus are from 
paintings by Herbert B. Judy, Esq. The originals are on exhibi- 
tion at the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. 
Five illustrations are from drawings by the author. Of the I11 
photographs of animals; one, that of Sagartia leucolena was pre- 
sented by Mr. William F. Patterson, while the remainder were 
taken by the author. 
