The publication of this great work—in which the authors, with the modesty that pertains to excellence, disavow the formation of "any conclusions which are new to science," though justly claiming that "a great number of new facts are recorded—worthily upholds the best traditions of the Smithsonian Institution. The aim of the authors is best expressed in their own words:—"Our purpose has been to present in Oceanic Ichthyology a discussion of all forms of fishes found in the seas of the world, both pelagic species and those occurring at depths greater than 500 feet, especial prominence being given to those species which are found in the Atlantic Ocean, most of which we have had an opportunity to study. All oceanic fishes are included, partly because it is not yet possible to distinguish strictly between the two classes, and partly because the pelagic forms have, in part at least, been mentioned in the discussions by all previous writers on deep-sea fishes." The publication will therefore find a place with, and also supplement, Prof. Collett's descriptions of the Fishes of the Norwegian North Sea Expedition, Dr. Günther's 'Deep-Sea Fishes of the Challenger Expedition,' Dr. Vaillant's Report on the Deep-Sea Fishes of the Travailleur and Talisman Expedition, and Alex. Agassiz's 'Contributions to American Thalassography.'
There is a great charm in learning the forms of life that inhabit the gloomy oceanic depths. And we still know little, for, though we are told some 600 different kinds of fishes have been obtained from the depth of 1000 feet and more, there can be little doubt that the tale of the sea is not yet told. "It seems probable that there are many inhabitants of the depths which are too swift, too wary and cunning, or too large to be taken. It cannot be doubted, for example, that somewhere in the sea, at an unknown distance below the surface, there are living certain fish-like animals, unknown to science and of great size, which come occasionally to the surface and give a foundation to such stories as those of the sea serpent." Here therefore exist
