xxii INTRODUCTION. 



brata from the caves and superficial deposits of Ireland 

 are now in the Dublin Museum of Science and Art.* 



While doubtless far from complete, the foregoing 

 enumeration of the sources from which the investigator 

 of Vertebrate Palaeontology in Britain may glean materials, 

 suffices to show the ample character of the means for 

 pursuing the subject. Most of the collections mentioned 

 have been consulted during the progress of the present 

 work ; and though the magnitude of the task prevents 

 its being a critical resume throughout, it is hoped that no 

 labour has been spared in attempting to record the correct 

 interpretation of doubtful points. Though all references 

 are given at sufficient length to be understood without the 

 aid of an index, the information has been condensed as 

 far as possible, and the following statement will explain 

 the general plan of the work : — 



(i) The genera and species are arranged alphabetically under 

 their respective classes. 



(ii) All generic and specific names at present accepted are 

 printed in antique roman type, while the cross- 

 references to synonyms, and all undefined names, are 

 printed in bold italics. 



(iii) Under each genus the synonyms are printed in small 

 capitals, and under each species in italics. 



(iv) When ascertainable, the nature and present whereabouts 

 of the type specimen of each accepted species are stated 

 in square brackets after the record of the locality; and 

 in the case of synonyms, the types are similarly noticed 

 immediately after the references. When the species at 

 present exists, or when the type is a foreign specimen, 

 the nature of the evidence on which that species is 

 recorded as a British fossil is printed in italics. 

 (v) The type species of every extinct genus, whether valid or 

 not, is marked by an antique T. 



* V. Ball, ' On the Collection of the Fossil Mammalia of Ireland 

 in the Science and Art Museum, Dublin,' Trans. Roy. Dublin Soc. [2] 

 vol. iii (1885), pp. 333-35°) P 1 - »■ 



