IV 
DEDICATION. 
Genera. Of this number ninety-seven are Trilobites, which have perhaps a 
greater general interest than any other class of fossils. 
The material furnishing these descriptions and illustrations is chiefly the 
result of field collections made within the State of New York; some of the 
specimens dating back as far as the year 1832 ; including also specimens from 
the collections of private individuals, and from the cabinets of institutions of 
learning, which have been placed at the disposal of the author for the purpose 
of enriching this volume. 
While the work is far from reaching that degree of completeness which the 
author could desire, it must be regarded as the best which could be accom¬ 
plished under existing circumstances; presenting, as it does, a systematic 
arrangement of the material at our disposal, it will furnish to students and 
teachers the means of study, and classification of their own collections, and in 
this view the author will hope that it may not prove unworthy of a place 
among the series of volumes intended to illustrate the Natueal History of the 
State of New York. 
I have the honor to be. 
With great respect. 
Your obedient Servant, 
JAMES HALL, 
State Geologist and Paleontologist. 
Albany, March, 1888. 
