VI PREFACE. 



the animal in question is based. Still further by way of 

 encouraging, instead of supplanting personal observation, a 

 large proportion of the illustrations are explanatory diagrams 

 rather than drawings of actual fossils. The classification 

 adopted is mainly that of the British Museum Catalogues of 

 Fossil Vertebrata, with such slight modifications as the recent 

 progress of research seems to necessitate ; and the various 

 sections are purposely treated at unequal length, those con- 

 cerning" which Palaeontology affords little or no information 

 being very briefly dismissed. 



During the preparation of the work I have received much 

 kind assistance from several friends and colleagues, to whom 

 my best thanks are due. For the loan of numerous illustra- 

 tions I am especially indebted to Dr Henry Woodward, 

 Professor Gaudry, Professor Marsh, Professor Hermann Credner, 

 Mr Lydekker, and the proprietors of Natural Science. My 

 colleague Mr Anthony Gepp has also prepared some useful 

 photographs. Most of the new illustrations have been drawn 

 by Mr James Green ; but for the originals of figs. 44, 65, and 

 74 I am indebted to Miss G. M. Woodward. Mr Boulenger 

 has kindly read the chapters on Batrachia and Reptilia, Pro- 

 fessor Marsh the section on Dinosauria, and Mr C. W. Andrews 

 the chapter on Aves. Mr Lydekker has helped me not only 

 personally but also by his numerous published writings, among 

 which may be particularly mentioned his valuable and sug- 

 gestive volume, "A Geographical History of Mammals." Dr 

 Forsyth Major has also most kindly given me the benefit of 

 his wide experience in the study of the Mammalia, by reading 

 and annotating the whole of the proofs relating to this class. 

 Finally, I am indebted to Mr Shipley for numerous valuable 

 suggestions and continual help during the passing of the proofs 

 for press. 



Such generous co-operation has removed many errors which 

 would otherwise have escaped unnoticed ; and it is only neces- 

 sary to add that for whatever imperfections remain I alone 

 am responsible. 



A. SMITH WOODWARD. 



LONDON, 



April 12, 1898. 



