Much of oiu- zoological Uteratm-e is scattered through periodicals and other 

 ■works, which ai-e expensive and not easy of access, and, in consequence, some 

 difficulty is often experienced in classification, and in the determination of species. 



These remarks ai-e made as an apologj- for any short-comings in this first 

 attempt at a Fauna, the materials for which must always he recei\ing additions, 

 and thus it can never he perfect. Much as I may feel on my own account, I 

 must not dilate upon its imperfections, in justice to several industrious workers 

 who have kindly assisted. Whilst dredging, the Eev. H. H. Higgins, Messrs. 

 Webster, Samuel Ai-cher, Marratt, and Cameron, afibrded the greatest help ; 

 without theii- efi'orts much of the information relative to the creatures in the 

 neighbouring waters could not have been obtained. The last-named gentleman 

 undertook, single-handed, the not over agreeable or safe duty of di-edging the 

 Mersey. 



The entomologists of the disti-ict, almost without exception, especially 

 Messrs. Brockholes, Wanlngton, Diggles, Almond, and other industrious inves- 

 tigators, have kindly supplied abundant facts \\-ith reference to Lepidoptcra. 



This is the only order of Insecta which has been classified and named, as 

 yet, for publication : Mr. Cameron, however, has a large supply of local 

 Coleoptera. which we hope wiU be aiTanged ere long, and a list of them published. 

 The Eev. H. H. Higgins also has commenced researches amongst Diptera and 

 Hymenoptera, fi-om which we may reasonably hope to have good results. 



The labours of Mr. Price, of Bii-kenhead, cannot be mentioned in tei-ms of 

 sufiicient praise ; his discoveries, not only locally but elsewhere, have secured 

 him a high reputation ; he also has been liberal with information. 



The name of Mr. K. Tudor, of BooUe, must always be associated with the 

 zoology of the neighboui-hood as the original discoverer of many species. 



Mr. W. H. Weightman has been good enough to contribute by his reseai-ehes 

 amongst Entomostraca. 



Mr. W. Webster's intimate knowledge of bii-ds, mollusca, &c. has been freely 

 imparted, and of much assistance. 



I am much indebted to the talented authors of the " British Nudibranchiate 

 MoUusca;" to J\Ir. Alder, for con-espondence always prompt and valuable; and to 

 Mr. Hancock, for the very faithful di-awing of " iVntiopa Hyalina," a colom-ed 

 engra^ing of which, by Mr. Tuffin West, fonns part of the volume. 



To Di-s. Dickinson and Inmau, Iilessrs. Parke, Whitehead, N. Cooke, and 

 others, my thanks ai-e due for useful contributions or advice. 



It is a reasonable expectation that further investigations by those gentlemen 

 who have hitherto followed natural history pursuits, may add sufficient for a 

 large appendix to the present instalment at some futm-e time. The physical 

 conditions of a neighbourhood of course modify and determine the character of 

 the animal and vegetable productions on its sui-face and in its waters. I refer 

 with pleasure to the excellent chapter upon the physical geogi-aphy of the district, 

 which is suitably placed as a preliminary to Dr. Dickinson's Flora ; the remarks 

 therein contained are equally applicable to the present object. 

 4 



