vi 



PREFACE. 



view they are arranged in the same systematic order; and 

 secondly, to furnish the palaeontologist with the means of 

 determining the systematic position of the genera and species 

 of extinct Vertebrata. 



For the purpose of showing the disposition of the bones 

 in the different classes and orders, a few examplesjof each have 

 been mounted, and for the purpose of illustrating the genera 

 and specimens in the collection, and facilitating their compa- 

 rison, a series of the skulls have been arranged on separate 

 tablets. The bones of the greater number of the skeletons 

 are kept separate in boxes, to admit of the various bones of 

 the different recent species being compared together, and with 

 their fossil analogues, which cannot so easily and completely 

 be accomplished when they are mounted, especially if the leg- 

 bones are pierced, as is the common English practice, for part 

 of the articulating surfaces must then be removed to make 

 room for the iron supports. 



To prevent the bones being mis-matched, each bone of 

 each specimen is marked with the number of the species and 

 specimen used in the Catalogue. 



The greater part of the specimens have been cleaned and 

 mounted by Mr. Edward Gerrard, who has devoted much 

 care to the preservation of the more minute parts. 



The great value of a collection of this kind depending 

 on the accuracy with which the specimens are determined, 

 every attention has been given to this subject ; and it is 

 hoped that in this particular, the present collection has many 

 advantages over those not so lately formed, for the greater 

 part of the specimens presented have been received direct 

 from the person who prepared them, and often when the 

 bones, part of the skull, and skins were still adhering 



