IV PREFACE. 



coloured Plectognaths, Angel-fish, and similar forms seem 

 to justify the method of coloration employed. The principle 

 had already been accepted by the late Keeper of Zoology, 

 Dr. Gunther, who had prepared several specimens coloured 

 in this way. I believe that there is no other collection of. 

 Fishes in a public museum in which the specimens are 

 presented without the usual iron supports, with sufficient space 

 around each fish and in natural colours, instead of the oily 

 brown which all dried fish skins tend to acquire. 



The attitude of the specimens in the Gallery is either that of 

 a dead specimen lying on a slab, or is a conventional one 

 chosen so as to shew as much of the character of the fins as 

 possible. It would not be possible to faithfully present the 

 fish in the act of swimming, nor would fish in their natural 

 surroundings be a desirable kind of exhibit : for, like many 

 other animals, fish in their native haunts are usually concealed 

 by their colour and surroundings from the observer's eye. 



The present Guide has been prepared by Dr. Ridewood in 

 daily consultation with me. Several of the illustrations are 

 new : for others we are indebted to Guides formerly published 

 by the Trustees, and to Messrs. Macmillan and Messrs. A. and 

 C. Black. 



Every specimen in the Gallery is provided with a number 

 and is referred to in this Guide by that number printed, in 

 thick large type. 



The English names or common names of specially inter- 

 esting fishes are affixed in large letters to the glass of the case 

 in a position near the specimens of such fishes. 



All those fishes which come under the head of British 

 Food-fishes are indicated in the case by the letters B. F. F. 



The label of each specimen gives its zoological name, its 

 local name., its English name or names, and as far as practicable 

 its French, German and Italian names. The distribution of 



