PEEFACE 



book is largely based upon a series of lectures 

 on common shore animals, delivered at different 

 times to various audiences. Its object is to enable 

 those who have not had a special zoological training 

 to learn the names and characters of the common 

 inhabitants of the rock pools ; but it is hoped that 

 the subject has been treated from a sufficiently broad 

 standpoint to render the book also of value as a 

 general introduction to one of the most fascinating 

 branches of modern science. Special efforts have 

 been made to render the descriptions .sufficiently de- 

 tailed to ensure the identification of actual specimens, 

 and to assist the process by keys and tables. As this 

 detail naturally limits the number of species it is 

 possible to discuss, the book makes no attempt at 

 completeness. It treats chiefly of the common shore 

 forms of the East Coast, but this partiality is cor- 

 rected, first by notes on distribution, and second by a 

 list of books of reference, which will enable those 

 interested to pursue the subject further. In regard 

 to this list I may say that it has been limited to works 



