PREFACE. 



fTTHE Collection of Books, Maps, &c., in the Natural History branch of the 

 Museum had its origin in the several libraries attached to the Departments 

 of Zoology, Geology, Mineralogy and Botany. These were considerably supple- 

 mented during and after the removal of the Natural History Collections to 

 South Kensington by extensive purchases, for which a special vote was obtained 

 from Parliament. At the same time the General Library was formed to receive 

 those works whose subject-matter concerned more than one of the Departments. 

 Subsequent accessions to these libraries have been procured by purchase, exchange 

 or donation. 



Thus, although some lacunae still remain to be filled, there has been formed 

 one of the finest and most complete collections of Works on Natural History 

 ever brought together. 



This collection must naturally be of interest to many besides those who 

 have opportunity for personally consulting it, and hence it has been deemed 

 advisable to publish the Catalogue under authors' names in such form that it 

 may be of service both to Students of Natural History and to Bibliographers 

 generally. To this end information concerning the contents, or the dates of 

 serial issue of important Avorks, and other bibliographical data have been included 

 in notes, while the style of printing adopted renders the work available for use 

 as a Card Catalogue. 



The complete Catalogue will, it is estimated, comprise some sixty thousand 

 entries, so that the present volume contains about one-fourth. These entries 

 have been compiled, with some clerical aid, by Mr. B. B. Woodward, the 

 Assistant in charge of the General Library; and the printed volume has been 

 edited by him, with the assistance of the following representatives from the 

 several departments : For Geology, Dr. Henry Woodward (and since his retire- 

 ment, Dr. A. Smith Woodward); for Mineralogy, Mr. L. Fletcher; for Botany, 

 Mr. J. Britten; and for Zoology, Prof. F. J. Bell. 



E. RAY LANKESTER, 



Director. 



BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY), 

 June 27, 1903. 



