EDITOEIAL NOTE. 



ALTHOUGH absolutely essential in the interests of the Empire that the resources of 

 the country should be husbanded, it was most unfortunate that, just when the Scottish 

 Members of Parliament were unanimously resolved to press a vote for a further grant 

 of money for Scotia publications through the House of Commons, it was found neces- 

 sary to abandon the intention on account of urgent naval and military expenditure. 



The original expedition of the Scotia depended to a very great extent upon the 

 munificent support afforded by the late Mr JAMES COATS, junior, and Major ANDREW 

 COATS, D.S.O. Thanks to the generosity of their brother, Sir THOMAS GLEN COATS, it 

 is now possible to place before the scientific world in particular, and the public in 

 general, this, the most comprehensive and not the least important volume of Scotia 

 research yet published, and that too at a period when, owing to the great European 

 crisis, it was scarcely possible to hope that further progress could, for the time being, 

 be made. 



It is the most complete treatise on Antarctic vertebrate fauna yet published in 

 any country. Sir THOMAS GLEN COATS has thus helped to perpetuate the work begun 

 by his family, and, as a Scotsman, has also emphasised the national importance of 

 Scotland as a potent unit of the British Empire. Material for other six volumes 

 awaits publication, and it is hoped that this good example at a critical period will 

 stimulate others to provide the necessary funds to complete publication. 



Volume IV. (Vertebrates) of the Scotia Reports is a contribution to Antarctic 

 Vertebrate Zoology. It also includes the consideration of Atlantic fishes besides those 

 of Antarctic regions. 



I have to thank those who have voluntarily given their time and who have put 

 such excellent work into its pages. 



It happens that this volume is the work entirely of British zoologists 

 Wales, England, and Scotland having each taken part in its compilation. 



In addition to the generous contribution of Sir THOMAS GLEN COATS, 

 the cost of publication has been aided by the original Government Grant, and 

 by a further Grant from the Common Good given by the Corporation of the City 

 of Glasgow out of the surplus of the Scottish Exhibition of Natural History, Art, 

 and Industry of 1911, and has also been considerably reduced by the co-operation of 



