PREFACE. 
XIX 
The compiler is authorized by the Secretary of the Smithsonian In- 
stitution to state that the Institution proposes hereafter to issue decen- 
nial supplements to this list (beginning with the years 1880-1889, inclu- 
sive); and naturalists in all parts of the world are invited to send 
annually to the Institution lists of the genera and subgenera which they 
have proposed during the preceding year. It is desirable that these 
should be prepared on the following uniform plan, which covers all ne- 
cessary data: 1, the generic name; 2, the author ; 3, the citation, in full 
with page; 4, the date; 5, the typical species; 6, the derivation; 7, 8,, 
and 9, the class, order, and family. The following specimen may serve 
as an example : 
Hesperornis Marsh, Amer. journ. sc., (3), iii, 56, 360. 1872. Type 
Hesp. regalis Marsh. ?<wr epoq, opnq. Aves, Odontornithes, Odontolcae. 
Definite information concerning any names omitted from the Univer- 
sal Index here published, or inaccurately recorded in the references 
given (unless subsequently corrected), are also asked and will find a 
place in the contemplated supplement. 
S. H. S. 
