P R E F A C E. jy?^0// o! 



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In marked contrast with its predecessor, Volume III. of the present 

 Catalogue includes a considerable number of Families, belonging to the 

 Suborders Symbranchii, Apodes, Haplomi, Scombresoces, Lophobranchii, 

 and Acanthopterygii. Most of these groups are but slightly repre- 

 sented in the African Fresh-water Fauna. The Scombresoces, however, 

 include the Family Cyprinodontidae, and therefore comprise a con- 

 siderable number of African species. The account of the Acantho- 

 pterygii begins with a few Families which do not require much space 

 for their treatment, and then proceeds to the description of the 

 Cichlidse, the importance of which in the area considered is indicated 

 by the fact that this Family occupies nearly three quarters of the 

 Volume. 



The rapid growth of our knowledge of the subject has been mainly 

 responsible for the increase in length of this Catalogue beyond the 

 limits originally intended. As explained by the author in his Intro- 

 duction, several Families of Fishes are held over for a fourth Volume, 

 which will also contain addenda and a general Index, and is expected 

 to complete the work. 



The services rendered by donors and others have been as important 

 in making the preparation of the present Volume possible as in con- 

 nexion with its predecessors, and equally deserve cordial recognition. 



British Muskttm (Naxuuat, History), 



London. 



MarcJi, 1915. 



SIDNEY F. HARMEll, 



Keeper of Zoology. 



