PREFACE. 
- * - 
Since the completion of Part I. of this Catalogue in 1889, nearly 
two years have elapsed, during which time great progress has been 
made in the examination and careful study of the Collection of 
Fossil Fishes; while Mr. Arthur Smith Woodward has,- had the 
additional advantage of visiting the principal Museums q| Scandi¬ 
navia, Russia, Austria, Germany, the United States, and Canada. 
A knowledge of the “ types ” contained in other Museums is essen¬ 
tial to a correct interpretation of our own specimens, and much of 
the merit of the present volume may be attributed to this fact, and 
to the wider experience gained by personal interchange of views 
with ichthyologists abroad. 
Special attention has also been paid by the author to the careful 
collation of the very extensive and widely scattered literature of his 
subject, as amply testified by the very copious references which 
occur throughout this Catalogue. 
The present volume commences with the Acanthodii, which are 
shown, by preponderating evidence, to belong to the Elasmobranchs. 
The Chimceroidei come next, the most important forms being those 
of Squaloraja and Myriacanthus ; while IscJiyodas and EdajpJiodon 
are represented by a fine series of jaws. Next follows the very 
large collection of “ Ichthyodorulites ” (fish-spines) belonging to 
Elasmobranch and Chimaeroid fishes, but not definitely placed in 
any group. To these succeed the Osteacodeumi, notochordal fishes 
with a well- developed exoskeleton, the head and anterior portion of 
