LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



Hon. J. J. Crawford, State Mineralogist: 



I have the honor to submit this bibliography for publication 

 by the State Mining Bureau, with the following brief remarks: 



The literature relating to the natural resources of California 

 is widely scattered, and, to a great extent, inaccessible to any 

 one but the specialist. 



The few descriptions of fossils printed in the State Geological 

 Reports were issued nearly thirty years ago. Since that date a 

 large number of papers on geology, palaeontology, and descrip- 

 tions of local mining regions have appeared, either in the trans- 

 actions of learned societies or in special publications with but a 

 limited distribution. In many cases these descriptions have 

 been brief, and those of fossils without illustrations. 



Besides these, there are many articles incorporated in the 

 official publications of the United States, and in volumes whose 

 very existence is almost unknown to the general reader. 



I have labored to bring this mass of literature together and 

 make it accessible to the student and general reader. Some 

 may ask, What is the advantage of such a catalogue? But let 

 them take up any special line of investigation, and the first 

 thing wanted will be a list of books of reference to know what 

 has been published on the subject. 



To the compiler such compilations are dry and laborious, and 

 many think afterward I could do better; but let all those who 

 think so, labor to improve this catalogue. 



The palaeontologist has to deal with the different species under 

 each genus. I have, therefore, included a full list of fossils 

 under each reference, which will save the student many a weary 



