IV PREFACE. 



Schlegel had built up his classification are now entirely abandoned, 

 and the taxonomic value of the dental is made subordinate to 

 that of osteological characters. The specific descriptions and the 

 references to the literature are given much more fully ; and the re- 

 examination of the specimens has led to numerous clianges in the 

 nomenclature and the limitation of species and genera, though, 

 in this respect, it ^is not to be expected that the views of different 

 authors will ever completely agree. 



ALBERT GUNTHER, 



Keeper of the Department of Zoology. 



British Museum (N. H.), 

 March 4th, 1893. 



