INTRODUCTION. iii 



Tombeck, with descriptions and figures of all the " Echinides " found in the upper 

 stages of this Department ; and my learned friend has likewise made a similar 

 contribution to the ' Monographie Paleontologique et Geologique des Etages 

 superieurs de la Formation Jurassique des Environs de Boulogne-sur-Mer,' par 

 P. De Loriol et E. Pellat ; and in the 'Monographie Paleontologique and 

 Geologique de l'Etage Portlandien du Departement de l'Yonne,' par P. De Loriol 

 et G. Cotteau, we have a combined work of much value, showing the correlation of 

 our Portlandian series with that of France. 



It is evident from this brief review that the last twenty years has been a period 

 of great Palasontological activity throughout Europe, and it is gratifying to find 

 that our own Society has contributed its mite to the general progress of knowledge 

 relating to the Echinoderms of the Oolitic formations of the British Islands. 



THOMAS WRIGHT, M.D., F.R.S.E. 



4, St. Margabet's Teeeace, Cheltenham ; 

 16th January, 1878. 



