INTRODUCTION. 
XXIX 
and arrange the ascertained facts of Elasmobranch Palaeontology for 
convenience of reference; and the writer would claim indulgence 
for the numerous imperfections which further studies will soon 
reveal. 
As the following pages demonstrate, the collection of the British 
Museum is now so extensive that actual specimens of nearly all 
the principal genera and species have been available for examina¬ 
tion ; and the present undertaking has been all the more facilitated 
by the orderly arrangement of this collection, due to the long-con¬ 
tinued labours of Mr. William Davies. To this gentleman the writer 
is under the greatest obligation, not only for continual advice and 
the benefit of his wide experience, but also for reading the whole of 
the proofs ; and both to him and to many other friends cordial 
thanks are respectfully tendered. To Dr. Giinther the writer is 
indebted for help in regard to modern Selachians ; to Dr. R. H. 
Traquair and Mr. James W. Davis, in regard to Palaeozoic genera. 
Mr. John Ward, of Longton, has freely placed his unique series of 
Coal-Measure fishes at the writer’s disposal; and Mr. Henry Willett, 
of Brighton, has extended similar favours in permitting the use of 
his fine collection from the Sussex Chalk. Among fellow-workers 
in Palaeichthyology on the Continent, Prof. K. A. von Zittel, of 
Munich, Prof. W. Dames, of Berlin, and Dr. Anton Eritsch, of 
Prague, have rendered much assistance ; and wherever the writer 
has sought information, either in Britain or abroad, it has invariably 
been most liberally accorded. 
ABTHUB SMITH WOODWARD. 
Geological Department, 
March 8th, 1889. 
List of Collections. 
In the following Catalogue all Donations are acknowledged in 
full, with the Donor’s name and the date, whether the specimens 
form part of a large series or were separately presented. In the 
case of collections acquired by purchase, only the name of the 
founder of each of these is mentioned, and detailed particulars are 
given in the list below :— 
Baugli Collection .—A series of fish-remains, chiefly teeth and fin- 
