INTRODUCTION. 
Ecliin. 3 
1888,1; 1889,2; 1890,1; 1891,9; 1893,3; 1894,6; 1895,19; 1896,168; 
1897, 147 : Total, 358. This number is known to be incomplete, as 
some authors and societies persist in hiding their light under a bushel. 
The list also contains eight titles marked as unseen, for which fact 
apologies are tendered. For these and various obscure titles the Recorder 
has to thank the Concilium Bibliographicum at Zurich, to whose minute 
accuracy he is glad to bear witness. No-one would expect to find new 
species of Echinoids described under the title, “ Os Molluscos dos terrenos 
terciarios da Patagonia,” especially when the author of the paradox is so 
esteemed a zoologist as von Ihering. The number of titles (358) is 
far from representing the actual number of works herein referred to, such 
as translations or second editions of works already recorded and analysed, 
as well as numerous reviews and abstracts that have appeared during the 
years dealt with. 
It was not thought that Mayer- Eymar’s paper (244) demanded more 
than one number, although it appeared in no less than seven different 
forms (all of which, nevertheless, are referred to). H. L. Clark’s work 
on Synapta vivipara, however, has already necessitated four entries and 
will need another next year when the complete work is dealt with. 
Fortunately for the Recorder all authors do not multiply their papers 
in this alarming ratio. The trouble caused by a paper is no index of its 
value, as may further be seen by contrasting the entries under Ludwig 
(203) and (210). A propos of trouble tho repaging nuisanco is oven worse 
than wrong dating. 
It is very doubtful whether the above analysis according to years is 
quite correct. Every attempt has been made to give the date of each 
paper with absolute accuracy, but this is not always possible. It is, 
however, believed that the dates assigned in the present Record are 
correct, especially where they differ from the apparent dates. The 
tendency of authors and societies is to pre-date, of publishers to post-date. 
As an example may be mentioned the Sitzungsberichte of the Nieder- 
rheinische Gesellschaft, for the true dates of which the Recorder is indebted 
to Prof. W. Voigt. 
Catch-numbers to the divisions of the Subject-Index are, as before, 
inserted in square brackets at the end of each title. Those referring 
to the Systematic portion [IV, a — k] are inserted only when some question 
of definite importance to the systematist is dealt with in the work. 
II. Biology. Slight improvements have been made in the arrange- 
ment of this section, so as to harmonise its subdivisions still further 
(see Contents). 
The papers dealt with are not only numerous but comprise many of 
importance. A year that saw the issue of Ludwig’s wholly admirable 
monograph on Mediterranean starfish (210) and the three big volumes 
that represent the tweuty years’ work by Wachsmuth & Springer on 
North American Crinoidea Camerata (336) will ever be memorable to 
students of Echinoderma. 
a. Among general evolutionary writings those of Haeckel (116-118), 
though wild, are often suggestive. Valuable work based on actual exami- 
nation of specimens has been done by Jackson (139) & Tornquist (171) 
on Palechinoidea , by Gregory on Echinothuridae (108) and Plesiocidaroida 
(110), and by Lahille on Scutellidao (176). 
B. Anatomical researches are most abundant in the Holothurians. 
Here tho first place is due to Gerould’s careful study of Caudina arenata 
(100). Osteroren has begun what seems likely to prove a long series 
of valuable papers, chiefly on Synallaotinae (253-255). Clark’s work 
on Synajota would be more welcome if less scattered (53). Here also may 
be mentioned the notes of Barthels (18), Ivanzoff (138), and Koehler 
(170). Dendy, working under difficulties, has begun the study of New 
