PREFACE. 



Great care has been taken to correct all errors, typographical, as 

 well as those of other kinds, which have been observed, and although 

 the author is well aware that a complete elimination of these is prac- 

 tically impossible in works of this description, yet it is hoped that 

 in this volume errors and omissions have been reduced to a minimum. 



The number of species enumerated in the present list is 1,308, + 

 No. 936a = 1,309, and 676 races of species found within the geo- 

 graphical limits embraced in the work; added to which are 22 races 

 of exotic species, originating in South America. These all make a 

 grand total of 2,007 species and races with a recognized standing at 

 the present time, inhabiting the North American Continent, with its 

 islands and seas. Many groups of these have never been critically 

 examined, or the specific or racial value of their members clearly 

 determined, and when this is done, doubtless the total number will 

 be considerably reduced and the synonymy correspondingly in- 

 creased. The Ftiror specificus has probably reached its zenith, and 

 the Sober Second Thought, it is hoped, may soon institute its benign 



sway. 



The Index is intended to answer in a certain degree for the two 

 previous works on the Mammals of the North American Continent, 

 with its islands and seas, as well as for the present volume, and the 

 number of the page given under its respective head, when indicated 

 by heavy type, is that on which the genus, species, or race is described. 

 As probably new names will be bestowed on specimens from time 

 to time, it is proposed to issue at stated intervals, as may be deemed 

 expedient, a list of these forms with descriptions, and such informa- 

 tion concerning them as is given of those contained in the volumes 

 already published, and any additional knowledge of the older and 

 longer known forms that may have been gained will be also included, 

 thus keeping the entire work regularly up to date. 



My thanks are due to the Assistant Curators of the Department 

 of Zoology in this institution, Dr. S. E. Meek and Mr. W. J. Ger- 

 hard, for much valuable aid in reading the proofs and constructing 

 the Index; and also to my Assistant, Mr. E. B. Chope. 



D. G. E. 



ist July, 1905. 



