INTRODUCTORY AND EXPLANATORY 



[From the First Edition, 1901] 



At the present time the interest in the ancient life of this 

 earth is greater than ever before, and very considerable sums 

 of money are being expended to dispatch carefully planned 

 expeditions to various parts of the world to systematically 

 gather the fossil remains of the animals of the past. That 

 this interest is not merely confined to a few scientific men, 

 but is shared by the general public, is shown by the numer- 

 ous articles, including many telegrams, in the columns of 

 the daily papers. The object of this book is to tell some of 

 the interesting facts concerning a few of the better known 

 or more remarkable of these extinct inhabitants of the 

 ancient world; also, if possible, to ease the strain on these 

 venerable animals, caused by stretching them so often 

 beyond their due proportions. 



The book is admittedly somewhat on the lines of Mr. 

 Hutchinson's "Extinct Monsters" and "Creatures of 

 Other Days," but it is hoped that it may be considered 

 with books as with boats, a good plan to build after a good 

 model. The information scattered through these pages has 

 been derived from varied sources; some has of necessity 

 been taken from standard books, a part has been gathered 

 in the course of museum work and official correspondence; 

 for much, the author is indebted to his personal friends, 

 and for a part, he is under obligations to friends he has 

 never met, who have kindly responded to his inquiries. 

 The endeavor has been conscientiously made to exclude all 

 misinformation; it is, nevertheless, entirely probable 

 that some mistakes may have crept in, and due apology for 

 these is hereby made beforehand. 



The author expects to be taken to task for the use of 

 scientific names, and the reader may perhaps sympathize 



