the author's notes on transcription conventions used throughout the manuscript, suggesting a detailed and scholarly approach to the work. The preface outlines the initial aim of the author to create an accessible textbook that evolved into a comprehensive multivolume handbook due to the enormous amount of research and ongoing discoveries in the field. Zittel emphasizes the need to address rapid advancements in paleontology by providing a structured system that reflects both morphological and phylogenetic perspectives. The text further alludes to significant discoveries that have necessitated continuous updates in vertebrate classifications, illustrating the dynamic nature of the science. (This is an automatically generated summary.)