name of the report of a case does not indicate the State or country where decided, the same is added in parentheses for the information of those who are not lawyers. Citations are not only from the official reports, but reference is also made to periodicals like the Insurance Law Journal and the publications of the "National Reporter System," which are of recognized value to the profession. Frequent reference is made to the notes in the "Lawyer's Reports Annotated," which render that series so popular and valuable. The statutes are referred to more especially with regard to or as affecting the contract of fire insurance, although many others are cited. It is not easy to draw the line, but it is evident that many are outside the scope of this work. Statutory provisions are not quoted at length, as to do so would extend the size of the book beyond reasonable bounds. To my faithful assistant in the tedious detail of the work, T. R. Chancellor of the New York Bar, not only my own personal thanks are due, but the appreciation of all who may have occasion to use the book. While the writer is conscious that this volume is not perfect, he trusts that it will be found far in advance of any other on the same subject, both as to the amount of information contained, and in its practical arrangement and adaptability to effective use not only by lawyers but by underwriters and their agents and representatives. Advice of errors will be thankfully received, that same may be corrected in future editions.