This edition of the Halieutica has been condensed from portions
of the Ph.D. thesis I submitted to the University of London in
1957. It contains the materials on which any discussion of the
authorship must be based, and, although I believe Ovidwas
not the author, I have tried to preserve an open mind while
preparing my text. Few indeed will read the Halieutica for its
literary excellence, since it has practically none, but the short
poem is a not unimportant one for scholars. This book is pub-
lished to provide them with a detailed critical and philological
discussion of the many problems in which it abounds. The
metrical difficulties, however, and the tangled question of
the sources are problems the solution of which must depend on
the text as established by the use of internal evidence, and such
external evidence as does not involve the assumption of the
author's identity. These problems require a lengthy treatment,
which would spoil the proportion of this book if they were
included. Furthermore they are special problems that must
interest only a fraction of the many readers who may have
occasion to refer to the Halieutica. Hence I have reserved them
for discussion elsewhere. There are several excellent modern
works on classical ichthyology, and consequently I have
refrained from burdening my commentary with information
which may readily be obtained from them.

I could never have undertaken the preparation of this work
had I not been awarded a post-graduate studentship by the
University of London, and I am glad to have this opportunity
of expressing my appreciation. It is fitting that I should also
indicate my obligations to the kindness and help of the following
scholars. Professor O. Skutsch, of University College London,
suggested the subject, guided my research, helped me in
innumerable matters of detail, criticized the work at every
stage, and has left me indebted to him, both as a friend and a
scholar, to a degree that makes not only repayment but even

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