PREFACE vii 



during the greater part of the time spent in Okhamandal, and whom I am glad to 

 have this opportunity to thank for the great assistance he rendered, often enough 

 under circumstances of great personal discomfort. 



As regards the groups of animals yet to be described I have received from 

 Pkof. a. Dendy, F.R.S., our greatest authority upon the Sponges, the promise 

 of a report, which is the more valuable seeing that this phylum is especially rich 

 in species in the collections from Okhamandal. Me. Edward T. Browne, M.A., 

 University College, London, has undertaken to report upon the Medusae, while 

 Miss Thoenely will report upon the Hydrozoa and Polyzoa and Peoe. 

 Heedman, F.R.S. upon the Ascidians. On my own part I hope to furnish 

 contributions upon certain of the remaining groups, together with a general 

 survey of the geographical and vertical distribution of the more" noteworthy 

 species and groups represented in the collections. 



For the benefit of those readers whose acquaintance with India is not 

 intimate, it may be of interest to mention that Baroda is one of the greatest of 

 the self-governing States of India, having an area of over 8,000 square miles and 

 a population at the last census (1901) verging upon 2,000,000. The present 

 Maharaja is essentially a man of action; he may dream dreams, but his waking 

 hours are devoted to strenuous effort to turn them into practical realities. To 

 the introduction of new industries and the improvement of indigenous ones he has 

 given the greatest attention ; he has travelled far and wide through Europe and 

 America to gather ideas and information at first hand pertinent to the schemes 

 he is elaborating for the economic and social advancement of his State. His 

 Highness is specially concerned in fostering the arts of the hereditary craftsmen of 

 India, wliose productions tend to deteriorate and decay as the cheap and shoddy 

 wares of Europe and the new Japan crowd them from the shelves and counters 

 of the bazaars. 



As the basis of all reform, the Maharaja is convinced of the necessity of 

 placing within the reach of even the humblest of his subjects educational 

 opportunities well-considered for their particular requirements ; at the present 



