vi PREFACE 
Such forms as Notoryctes, Romerolagus, Caenolestes, “ Neomylodon,” 
and Ocapia could not possibly have been omitted. 
In preparing my accounts of both living and extinct forms 
I have nearly invariably consulted the original authorities, and 
have often supplemented or verified these accounts by my own 
dissections at the Zoological Society’s Gardens. My rule has not, 
however, been invariable in this matter, Inasmuch as there exist 
two recent and trustworthy text-books of Mammalian Palaeontology 
—Professor Zittel’s Handbuch der Palaeontologie, and Dr. A. Smith 
Woodward’s manual, Outlines of Vertebrate Palaeontology, in the 
Cambridge Biological Series. Where the name of a genus only 
or its range, or merely one or two facts about it, are mentioned, 
I have not thought it necessary to go further than these two 
works. But a good deal has been done even since the appear- 
ance of these two volumes which it will be found that I have 
not ignored. 
I have to thank my editors for the trouble which they have 
taken in the revision of the proofs and for many suggestions. To 
Professor Osborn, of Columbia University, New York, I am indebted 
for some kind suggestions. My daughter Iris has assisted me 
in various ways. Finally, I desire to express my indebtedness to 
Mr. Dixon and to Mr. M. P. Parker for the care which they have 
taken in the preparation of the figures which were drawn by 
them especially for this work. 
FRANK E. BEDDARD. 
Lonnon, February 28, 1902. 
