254  Storer’s Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. 
ology of North America and Europe.” Grateful for this expression 
of their confidence, and desirous of acknowledging my sense of 
obligation, I extended my original plan, and have the pleasure 
now to present to you “A Synopsis of the Fishes of North 
America.” 
The paper I offer you claims but little, I might say, perhaps, 
no originality. With most of the species found out of the waters 
of Massachusetts, my acquaintance is but slight. Many of them I 
have had no opportunities of examining. In characterizing them, 
I have accordingly oftentimes used the very language of the dis- 
coverer, or of those who may have heretofore described them. 
Knowing that the American ichthyologist has no dictionary to refer 
to, in which all the described species of this country are contained, 
I have endeavoured, by no inconsiderable amount of labor, to supply 
the deficiency. If, to my fellow-laborers in this extensive and as 
yet, when compared with the other departments of natural science, 
almost untrodden domain, it shall appear that I have added any 
facilities or removed any obstacles to their advancement, I shall 
ever recur to the time occupied in the preparation of this Report 
with pleasure and with pride. 
To accomplish the duty required of me by this Association, I 
have prepared a series of tables, exhibiting the geographical dis- 
tribution of genera. 
The first column includes those genera which are found both 
in Europe and North America. 
The second, points out those genera which are found in North 
America, but which are not peculiar to it, and not found in Europe. 
The third, enumerates genera peculiar to America, and, if not 
mentioned in the fourth column, confined to North America. 
The fourth, comprises genera found in North America, and ex- 
fending to South America. 
