EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



JL feel called upon to make a few explanatory reniarks with regard to the 

 delay which has occurred in the publication of the ,, Fauna and Flora" now that 

 the series is to be again continued. 



Dr. Spengel who undertook in 1879 to write the monograph on Baia no - 

 glossus in spite of repeated requests has not yet done so, nor avìII he consent 

 to fix a date when it avìII be ready. I would cali the attention of the subscribers 

 to the fact that it is through no fanlt npon the part of the Station that this Mono- 

 graph is not already published. 



The nuniber of monographs published in 1881 thus fell below the number 

 announced for publication. I have tried to make up this deficiency in the publications 

 for the following year. 



For the year 1882 are published: — 



Caprellidae by Dr. P. Mayer. 

 Bangiaceae by Dr, G. Berthold. 

 Chaetognathi by Dr. B. Grassi. 

 Cystoseirae by R. Valiante. 

 Actiniae by Dr. A. .\ndres. Part I. 



The delay in the publication of these latter has been entirely due to the 

 number of plates, a reason, which, as it so greatly enhances their value will I hope 

 cause the subscribers to overlook the delay. 



The 3 year's subscription has noAV come to an end. Dming this time the 

 Station itself has progressed to such an extent that it is now the largest Institution 

 of its kind in existance. The example has been folloAved by other great nations: 

 Austria, France, England and North America have already erected, or are about 

 to erect, similar institutions , while Stations on a smaller scale exist in Russia, 

 Holland and Sweden. One has also been started in Australia, at Sydney. The 



