XIV TRIASSIC FISHES AND PLANTS. 
thought, however, that the fossil fishes from our Triassic rocks which have 
been lying in the cabinets of our colleges and collectors should if possible 
be made available for the use of teachers and students, and should contribute 
their part to illustrate what is perhaps the most’ interesting and yet least 
known epoch in the geologic history of North America, that of the Trias. 
As a contribution to this history I have accumulated by far the largest col- 
lection of our Triassic fishes yet made, have studied them with some care, 
have labeled-them plainly according to my lights, and have placed them in 
the Geological Museum of Columbia College, where they will be safe, since 
it is fire-proof, and where they will be accessible to those who shall carry 
to completeness the investigations of these fossils begun by the Messrs. 
Redfield, continued by me, and to be concluded by generations yet to come. 
In conclusion I desire to express my obligations for assistance and 
courtesies received from Professors Marsh, Whitfield, and Emerson; to Mr.S. 
W. Loper, of Durham, Conn., whose enthusiasm in collecting and skill in 
developing such specimens as are found in his vicinity have resulted in con- 
tributing to several museums the best examples of our Triassic fishes known 
to exist; also to Mr. I. C. Russell, to whose intelligent supervision of the 
excavations made at Boonton, we owe the large amount and excellent con- 
dition of the material obtained there. 
