PREFACE. 



The following list has been drawn up to facilitate the use of 

 the collection of Special Bibliographies, Classed Catalogues, 

 and Indexes recently placed in the Eeading Room. It has 

 been thought that such a collection might be useful to 

 readers by indicating the works published and available for 

 consultation in the various fields of study and research, and 

 that it might in some degree supply the want of a classified 

 catalogue of the Museum Library, with the further advan- 

 tage of pointing out works existing elsewhere, as well as 

 those to be found in the Museum. 



In selecting the books for this purpose, it has been the 

 aim to represent every subject, as far as space in the Reading 

 Room admits of it. But on many topics no satisfactory 

 bibliographical guide exists : in other cases the works 

 existing are much behind the literature of the present time, 

 or have never been completed. Some books will therefore 

 be found included which only remain until they can be 

 replaced by more efficient works. It is proposed in a future 

 edition to add references to bibliographies included in 

 printed works of authority on special subjects, and it is 

 hoped also that the range of subjects may be considerably 

 extended. Readers might greatly assist this object by 

 pointing out in the book of " Libri Desiderati," or per- 

 sonally to the compiler, any useful speoial bibliography 

 with which their studies may have made them acquainted. 



It will be seen that the various bibliographical works 

 standing in other parts of the Reading Room have been 

 included with those in the extra cases in this list, for the 



