PREFACE, 
Now that material is being got together illustrating the economic products of Jamaicz, to b2 ex 1ibited 
at the Imperial Institute in London, the fishes naturally demand a share of attention. At the very 
outset we are met by the fact that no complete or approximately modern catalogue of Jamaica fishes 
exists, much less any detailed and trustworthy account. The present list has therefore been compiled, 
and imperfect as it necessarily is, it may suffice to indicate what is now known, and serve as a basis for 
future work. It is hoped that by the codperation of all those in any way interested in our fisheries, from 
either the scientific or the economic point of view, we may at length be in a position to issue a really 
satisfactory guide to the subject, in illustration of an approximately complete collection. 
All information or suggestions, and any specimens, will be gladly received. Especially, we need de- 
tails about the food-fishes,—how and when they are caught, wherethey occur or are most abundant, where 
they are sold and what price they fetch, their flavour and even the methods of curing or cooking —nothing 
will come amiss. Local names for fishes are also of much interest, but alone they unfortunatery do not 
always lead to identification: hence any information given about a species will be doubly valued if a 
specimen of the fish itself accompanies it. 
The food of fishes is another matter well worthy of study: it is of great interest to learn what is to 
be found in the stomachs of various species—and sometimes rare little fishes are found in pretty good 
condition inside the stomachs of common big ones! Parasites found on fishes also deserve attention, and 
should be carefully preserved. 
Fishes may be preserved in three parts of alcohol to one of water. Alcohol should be injected into 
the mouth and vent, and small incisions made in the belly and thick parts of the body, to allow the fluid 
to penetrate the tissues. 
The colour of fishes when freshly caught should always be noted down, as they lose much of their 
colour in spirit. 
T. DAAeGs. 
