Excerpt from Fauna Und Flora Des Golfes Von Neapel: Under Angrenzenden Menres-Abschnitte, Herausgegeben Von Der Zoologishen Station Zu Neapel, Monographie: Rhizocephala The group of parasitic Cirripedes monographed in this book has engaged the attention of many celebrated naturalists since the time of Cavolini, and in comparatively recent years has formed the subject of a keenly contested controversy: it may therefore seem a bold step for an unknown writer to enter the field with a monograph which to many will seem to affect the pretension without attaining the reality of completeness. But I cannot disguise from myself, and I have neither the wish nor the power to disguise from other people, the many respects in which my work not only falls short of completeness but has been entirely baffled by difficulties of observation and reasoning; and perhaps the best plea I can put forward for avoiding a too harsh criticism is that my very lack of completeness and finality is in part due to the many curious facts which my work has partially brought to light but which will require future independent investigations to fully clear up. Not to mention a number of observers who have laid the basis of our knowledge of the Rhizocephala, we owe most perhaps to the two contemporary French naturalists, Professors Delage and Giard, to the former for. his work on the anatomy and life-history of Sacculina carcini, and to the latter for his interesting observations on the effect of the parasites on their hosts. It is a matter of regret that these two authors are unable to agree upon many fundamental questions in this subject, but I trust that the record of my observations made under a deep sense of obligation to their work, may, without escaping their criticism, engage their impartial consideration. There remains for me in this preface the duty of acknowledging the support of institutions and the generosity of friends, without whose help I could not have undertaken this work. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.

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