﻿INTRODUCTION. XX111 



and the want of any general work on the subject comprising the 

 latest discoveries. The entirely novel points in most of these 

 descriptions are few ; but in every case the statements are based 

 upon personal observation, unless the contrary be definitely 

 remarked. Finally, an attempt is made to render the Catalogue 

 more nearly complete in recording the collections where the various 

 type specimens are preserved ; but it is still impossible to trace 

 many of the types originally in private collections, and a large pro- 

 portion of these have doubtless been lost. 



In this volume, as in the last, much is provisional, and can only 

 be regarded as a tentative basis upon which to found more elaborate 

 researches as additional materials and facilities for comparison accu- 

 mulate. So far as practicable, however, all evidence bearing upon 

 the subject has been taken into consideration ; and in addition to 

 consulting the principal British Collections, the writer has had the 

 privilege of visiting those of Berlin, Breslau, Munich, Prague, 

 Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Moscow, New York, Philadelphia, 

 Ottawa, Montreal, and Cambridge (Mass.), all of which comprise 

 specimens of essential importance. To the Professors in the various 

 Universities and the Curators of the Museums, thanks are respect- 

 fully tendered for the facilities and kind assistance they have invari- 

 ably afforded • and both to Mr. William Davies, F.G.S., and Dr. R. H. 

 Traquair, F.R.S., as also to Mr. James W. Davis, F.Gr.S., and 

 Mr. John "Ward, F.G.S., the writer is under the deepest obligations 

 for continued help and advice. 



ARTHUR SMITH WOODWARD. 



Geological Department, 

 January 20th, 1891. 



List of Collections. 



In addition to the Collections enumerated in Part I. (p. xxix), 

 the following are also referred to in the present volume : — 



Bryson Collection. — A series of fossil fishes and plants, chiefly 

 from the Scottish Carboniferous, collected by the late Mr. James 

 Bryson, of Edinburgh, and obtained by purchase, 1868. 



Goldenherg Collection. — A small collection of fossils from the 

 Lower Permian of Rhenish Prussia, made by Dr. F. Goldenherg 

 (author of ' Fauna Saraepontana Fossilis,' 1873-77), purchased 1889. 



Lightbody Bequest. — A portion of the collection of the late Mr. 

 Robert Lightbody, F.G.S., of Ludlow, comprising fossil fishes from 



