plexed by descriptions and figures of badly-preserved fossils, have aban-
doned research among these interesting and beautiful forms for the easier
study of mollusks, crinoids, worms, or crustaceans. May I express the
hope that the present work will prove a useful manual to the student
   As will be seen, the number of plates is one hundred and thirty-nine,
the number of specimens figured about one thousand. The number of
species described is more than three hundred; of these about one hundred
and seventy arc new arid heretofore undeseribed. The beautiful condition
in which these fossils occur in Kentucky and the care with which they
have been freed from their matrix have permitted a satisfactory photo-
graphic delineation by the "artotype" process.  Mr. E. Klauber, of
Louisville, has done this part of the work under my supervision in the
most artistic style. My thanks are due to this gentleman for the assist-
ance he rendered me in " setting up" the fossils before the camera, and for
his amiable co-operation during the several years we have been engaged
together in plate-making.
   Permit me also to thank you, sir, the Director of the Survey, and the
other officers of the State of Kentucky, whose generous consideration has
given me the opportunity to publish this contribution to the geology of the
country in so handsome a volume.
                 Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
                                                WILLIAM J. DAVIS.
  LOUISVILLE, 1885.