PREFACE TO VOL. VI. 



With the issue of Volume VI the Eeport on the Natural History specimens collected 

 by the 'Discovery' National Antarctic Expedition (1901-4) is brought, for the 

 present at least, to a close ; Volumes I-III appeared in 1907, Volume IV in 1908, 

 Volume V in 1910. 



The present volume was to have included an account of the Polyzoa ; the 

 specialist to whom the specimens were submitted has, however, been prevented from 

 completing it as soon as he had hoped, and it was decided to issue the volume 

 without the paper in question rather than delay further the publication of the 

 rest of the contents. 



The thanks of naturalists are due to the numerous workers who, by their 

 careful study of the material and by their detailed descriptions, have added to our 

 knowledge of the Animals, Plants and Minerals found in a part of the Antarctic region. 



A word of acknowledgment is also due to the sub-editor of the Zoological and 

 Botanical Reports, Mr. F. Jeffrey Bell, for the care and judgment with which he has 

 done the work entrusted to him more than seven years ago ; during that space of 

 time he has been charged with the distribution of the zoological and botanical 

 specimens to the various investigators, obtained the reports from the respective 

 authors, prepared the manuscript for the printers, revised the proof sheets, and 

 supervised the preparation of the numerous plates and other illustrations. 



L. FLETCHER, 



Director. 



British Museum (Natueal History), 

 February 2dth, 1912. 



