EDITOK'S PREFACE 



The present volume continues the translation of Professor VoN Zittel's 

 Grundzilge cler Palaeontologie through the Vertebrates as far as the class Aves, 

 and corresponds in scope, though not in extent, to the third volume of the 

 well-known Handhuch by the same author. The final volume, when published, 

 aWII be devoted exclusively to the Mammalia. 



The translation of the Vertebrates has been conducted on the same plan as 

 the preceding volume, and, like it, has been appreciably enlarged. Although 

 nearly all portions have received the benefit of expert revision, and some are of 

 composite authorship, yet on the whole the original text has been more closely 

 adhered to than in the case of the Invertebrates. The classification, also, 

 departs from that of the Gnmdzuge in only a few minor particulars. The 

 chapters on Fishes and Amphibians are chiefly in the nature of a literal 

 translation ; those on Reptiles and Birds are more modified, at least in certain 

 parts. 



Dr. ATvTHUR Smith Woodward, of the British Museum, is to be credited 

 with the entire translation and revision of the class Pisces, on which group he 

 is acknowledged to be the most eminent living authority. He has been 

 careful, however, to subordinate his views on various taxonomic points to those 

 of the Author. In the same way Dr. E. C. Ca.se, of the State Normal School 

 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, performed the principal labour of translating and 

 revising the chapter on Amphibia., and assisted in the task of rendering the text 

 on Eeptilia into English. Owing to the untimely loss of the late Dr. George 

 Baur, of Chicago University, the text for the various orders of Pieptllia failed 

 to receive the benefit of his collaboration. It is also to be deplored that 

 the arrangements made with Professor 0. C. Marsh for the revision of the 

 Dinosauria were cut short by the final passing in 1898 of this distinguished 

 patron of Palaeontology. 



