PEE FACE. 
XV. 
Australia,” by tbe late Eev. J. E. Tenison Woods ; Dr. 0. Eeistmantel, “ Palaeozoische 
und Mesozoisclie Flora ” ; the “ Palooozoic Corals of North Queensland,” by Prof. H. A. 
Nicholson and the Writer; the “Fossils of the Bowen Eiver Coal Field,” by the 
Writer; and others of minor importance. 
The work may be divided into two parts, the first treating of the Palajontology 
of Queensland ; the second recording what little is Icnown of that of New G-uinea. In 
describing the Queensland Organic Eemains, I have grouped them in very general 
and broad geological sections, consequent on the present tentative grouping of the 
sedimentary deposits. The general determination of the species has been rendered 
more difficult than ordinary by the poor state of preservation of a large number of the 
specimens. This will, to a great extent, explain the number of species simply indicated 
(sp. ini.') and not named, as I thought it better to figure such when possessing any 
marked character, with the view of future determinate recognition. The species 
described represent not only those which have come under the eye of the Writer, but 
others published by various Authors, chiefiy in the “Annals and Magazine of Natural 
History” and the “ Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London.” In many 
cases descriptions are quoted verbatim, with the kind permission of Dr. Francis on the 
one hand, and the leave of the Council of the Geological Society on the other. In such 
cases the Author’s name is invariably given at the end of the extract in brackets. Similarly 
lengthy extracts have been made from a Paper of my own in the “ Proceedings of the 
Hoyal Physical Society of Edinburgh,” again with the kind permission of the Council. 
I have endeavoured to arrange the subject matters under each species in the 
clearest possible manner. Following the name of the fossil will usually be found a 
brief synonymy, detailing only the principal works in which previous allusions to it will 
he found. To the synonymy succeeds the specific description when it has been found 
I’cquisite to give one, otherwise general observations follow next, and the account is 
completed by the locality and horizon. In the synonymy I have endeavoured strictly 
■to adhere to priority in the use of specific names, but I wish it to be distinctly 
Understood that newspaper articles (a medium unfortunately adopted by more than 
one Australian Writer of note) have been purposely ignored. In the paragraph relating 
to the locality and horizon, the former is invariably followed by the name of the 
collector, or recorder, when known to me, and in italics to give it greater prominence ; 
hut when the name of the collector is unknown, that of the describer is substituted. I 
uve also endeavoured, but not always wdth success I am afraid, to indicate the Collection 
or Museum containing the specimens mentioned ; and the absence of such reference 
Will, in the great majority of instances, infer that the fossils are in that of the Queens, 
land Geological Survey. 
I am indebted to a large number of scientific friends for most eordial assistance. 
It not been for the constant kindness and encouragement of my old Colleague and 
o-Author, the many difficulties which crop up in the production of a Work of this kind 
Would probably have proved fatal to it. At no time was this more felt than on its 
resumption after my arrival in Sydney, when the sad lack of Paleontological literature 
lu the Colonies was forcibly brought home to me. 
