United States National Museum - si-pddr - Smithsonian Institution

PREFACE.
rhis bulletin is the first of a series of cataloj^iies of type-specimens
of rooont animals which the U. S. National Museum intends to
publish as rapidly as circumstances will permit. The desirability of
formally designatino- a particular specimen to represent a species or
subspecies is an idea of comparatively recent origin; and although it
has gained general acceptance among zoologists, there are still some
who doubt its importance. Though there are perhaps some valid
arguments against the practice on theoretical grounds, there can be
no doubt that it puts an end to uncertainties with which earlier s3's-
tematists were often confronted.
The practice was not in vogue generally when the National Museum
was established, and many speciuK'ns which according to present views
ought to have been speciall}^ treasured were not cared for more than
others, while the methods of preparing skins of mannnals were at the
same time very ci'ude. It has resulted from these circumstances that
the t3q)e-specimens of species described many 3'ears ago are not in as
good condition as they should be. Considering the earlier point of
view, howevei'. and the vicissitudes through which the collections have
passed in the course of a half century, it is fortunate, I think, that the
type-specimens have not fared woi'se. The t3'pe-specimens of the
more recenth' described species of mannnals, both in the regular series
and in the collection of the Biological Surve3% are with few exceptions
perfect or nearly so and very accurately and thoroughly labeled.
The National Museum has in recent years fostered the depositing of
type-specimens of species of animals of all classes, and in this has had
the hearty cooperation of numerous American zoologists who consider
it a mattei" of importance to have these standards, as they may
be called, permanently preserved in the national (,'ollection.
Frederick W. True,
Head Curator Departtiunt of Biol