PREFACE. 
The object of the ^ Record ^ is to give, in an annual volume, 
reports on, abstracts of and an index to, the various zoological 
publications which have appeared in the preceding year; to 
acquaint zoologists with the progress of every branch of their 
science in all parts of the globe ; and to form a repertory which 
will retain its value for the student of future years. 
No fact is better calculated to show the usefulness and neces- 
sity of this undertaking than the results of the present volume, 
forming as it does a systematic guide-book to not less than 
35000 pages of zoological literature * published (with the excep- 
tion of a comparatively small part) within the year 1865. 
We have not attempted to count the animals described as 
new forms, but in estimating them at 7000 we give their num- 
ber rather under than over the real limit. 
It has been suggested by several zoologists and reviewers that 
an index of genera should be appended to each volume. The 
great usefulness of such an index having been acknowledged at 
once, it was attempted, but being found to comprise about as 
many names as Agassizes ^ Index universalis,^ and to add im- 
mensely to the labour, bulk, and cost of the book, it was of ne- 
cessity abandoned. However, it is the Editor's intention to give 
* This number is divided between the various classes thus r^Mammals 
2400, Birds 3500, Reptiles 1300, Fishes 3100, Mollusks 4400, Molluscoids 
300, Crustaceans 1600, Arachnids and Myriapods 480, Insects 14300 (viz. 
Coleoptera 5400, Hymenoptera 1400, Lepidoptera 4200, Diptera 800, Neuro- 
ptera 400, Orthoptera 200, Rhynchota 1300), Annelids 800, Scolecides 460, 
Echinoderms 600, Coelentorates 760, Protozoa 1030 (the last two numbers 
contain also the literature of 1864). 
