INTRODUCTION. 
XX111 
and the want of any general work on the subject comprising the 
latest discoveries. The entirely novel points in most of these 
descriptions are few; but in every case the statements are based 
upon personal observation, unless the contrary be definitely 
remarked. Finally, an attempt is made to render the Catalogue 
more nearly complete in recording the collections where the various 
type specimens are preserved ; but it is still impossible to trace 
many of the types originally in private collections, and a large pro¬ 
portion of these have doubtless been lost. 
In this volume, as in the last, much is provisional, and can only 
be regarded as a tentative basis upon which to found more elaborate 
researches as additional materials and facilities for comparison accu¬ 
mulate. So far as practicable, however, all evidence bearing upon 
the subject has been taken into consideration; and in addition to 
consulting the principal British Collections, the writer has had the 
privilege of visiting those of Berlin, Breslau, Munich, Prague, 
Stockholm, St. Petersburg, Moscow, New York, Philadelphia, 
Ottawa, Montreal, and Cambridge (Mass.), all of which comprise 
specimens of essential importance. To the Professors in the various 
Universities and the Curators of the Museums, thanks are respect¬ 
fully tendered for the facilities and kind assistance they have invari¬ 
ably afforded; and both to Mr. William Davies, F.G.S., and Dr. B. H. 
Traquair, F.E.S., as also to Mr. James W. Davis, F.G-.S., and 
Mr. John Ward, F.G.S., the writer is under the deepest obligations 
for continued help and advice. 
ARTHUR SMITH WOODWARD. 
Geological Department, 
January 20th, 1891. 
List op Collections, 
In addition to the Collections enumerated in Part I. (p. xxix), 
the following are also referred to in the present volume 
Bryson Collection .—A series of fossil fishes and plants, chiefly 
from the Scottish Carboniferous, collected by the late Mr. James 
Bryson, of Edinburgh, and obtained by purchase, 1868. 
Golclenberg Collection .—A small collection of fossils from the 
Lower Permian of Rhenish Prussia, made by Dr. F. Goldenberg 
(author of 4 Fauna Saraepontana Fossilis,’ 1873-77), purchased 1889. 
Lightbody Bequest .—A portion of the collection of the late Mr. 
Robert Lightbody, F.G.S., of Ludlow, comprising fossil fishes from 
