l)lexcd by descri[)tions and iigures of badly-preserved fossils, have aban- 

 doned research among these interesting and beautiful forms for the easier 

 study of mollusks, crinoids, worms, or crustaceans. May I express the 

 hope that the present work will prove a useful manual to the student ? 



As will be seen, the number of plates is one hundred and thirty-nine, 

 the number of specimens figured about one thousand. The number of 

 species described is more than three hundred; of these about one hundred 

 and seventy are new and heretofore undescribed. The beautiful condition 

 in which these fossils occur in Kentucky and the care with which they 

 have been freed from their matrix have permitted a satisfactory photo- 

 graphic delineation by the "artotype" process. Mr. E. Klauber, of 

 Louisville, has done this part of the work under my supervision in the 

 most artistic style. My thanks are due to this gentleman for the assist- 

 ance he rendered me in " setting up" the fossils before the camera, and for 

 his amiable co-operation during the several years we have been engaged 

 together in plate-making. 



Permit me also to thank you, sir, the Director of the Survey, and the 

 other officers of the State of Kentucky, whose generous consideration has 

 given me the opportunity to publish this contribution to the geology of the 

 country in so handsome a volume. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



WILLIAM J. DAVIS. 



Louisville, 1885, 



