Vlll PREFACE. 



But, without entering into a farther enumeration of the 

 names of other liberal friends who have assisted, it may be 

 sufficient to state, so great has been the success in obtaining 

 species either entirely new, -or new to our coast, and so ex- 

 tensive the resources available in the present instance, that 

 this work contains a greater number of species by one-fourth 

 than has yet appeared in any British catalogue, with an 

 extensive list of well-authenticated localities and local names. 

 Two hundred and twenty-six species are described and 

 figured, several of them in different stages of growth. The 

 number of representations of fishes amounts to two hundred 

 and forty. The drawings in almost every instance have been 

 made under the author's superintendence from the specimens. 

 The best artists, both as draughtsmen and engravers on 

 wood, have been employed, and the representations will be 

 found characteristic of the species, and highly creditable as 

 works of art. Besides the figures of the fishes, there are 

 upwards of one hundred and forty illustrative vignettes sub- 

 servient to the general subject, representing teeth, scales, 

 gill-covers, swimming-bladders, and other viscera, occasion- 

 ally, when interesting in structure, form, or function. The 

 different boats, nets, and apparatus in use at our various 

 fishing stations on the coast, are figured, and the modes of 

 employing them described. 



The systematic arrangement of Baron Cuvier, as detailed 

 in the last edition of the Regne Animal, has been adhered 

 to ; and the author hopes that the care bestowed on every 

 part of the work will merit the approbation of all lovers of 

 natural history. 



Ryder-street, St. James's, 

 June 1836. 



