xvi INTRODUCTORY AND EXPLANATORY 



of Mr. Hutchinsons "Extinct Monsters" and 

 " Creatures of Other Days" but it is hoped that 

 it may be considered with books as with boats, 

 a good plan to build after a good model. The 

 information scattered through these pages has 

 been derived from varied sources ; some has of 

 necessity been taken from standard books, a 

 part has been gathered in the course of museum 

 work and official correspondence; for much, the 

 author is indebted to his personal friends, and 

 for apart, he is under obligations to friends he 

 has never met, who have kindly responded to his 

 inquiries. The endeavor has been conscientiously 

 made to exclude all misinformation; it is, never- 

 theless, entirely probable that some mistakes may 

 have crept in, and due apology for these is here- 

 by made beforehand. 



The author expects to be taken to task for 

 the use of scientific names, and the reader may 

 perhaps sympathize with the old lady who said 

 that the discovery of all these strange animals 

 did not surprise her so much as the fact that 

 anyone should know their names when they were 

 found. The real trouble is that there are no 

 common names for these animals. Then, too, 



