PREFACE. 
The chief objects in forming the present Synoptical Cata- 
logue have been, to exhibit at one view a complete list of all 
the specimens of Brachiopodous Mollxjsca in the Bri- 
tish Museum Collection, and to furnish such an account of 
the species knovra to exist in other collections, but which 
are at this time desiderata in the British Museum, as the 
materials at hand would permit me to compile, in order to 
enable travellers, collectors, and others, to assist in com- 
pleting the national collection. 
For this purpose, short descriptions have been given of 
all the genera and species of recent Brachiopoda now known 
to exist in the dilferent museums and private collections, 
and of the better-known fossil species of the various fami- 
