iv PREFACE. 
The Editor would only urge, as he has done on previous 
occasions, that his contributors, before sending articles for 
publication, should consider whether they are such as will 
really promote the progress of Zoology. 
In the Preface to last year’s volume occasion was taken to 
point out the importance of endeavouring to become acquainted 
as far as possible with the literature of a subject before 
attempting to write upon it; and, as an aid in this direction, 
the great utility of the annually published ‘ Zoological Record’ 
was more than hinted at. 
The recently prepared statement by the Secretary of the 
Zoological Record Association (which will be found at p. 476) is 
one which should receive the careful consideration of those who 
have at heart the advancement of zoological science in this 
country. 
In offering these remarks by way of Preface to the Volume 
for 1885, the Editor trusts that during the year to come he may 
continue to receive as heretofore from all parts of the country, 
a proof, in the shape of useful contributions to this Journal, 
that public interest in Zoology is in no way subsiding, and that 
a real advance in knowledge is being made in this as in other 
branches of science. 
