We study the action of the mapping class group M(F) on the complex of curves
of a non-orientable surface F. We obtain, by using a result of K. S. Brown, a
presentation for M(F) defined in terms of the mapping class groups of the
complementary surfaces of collections of curves, provided that F is not
sporadic, i.e. the complex of curves of F is simply connected. We also compute
a finite presentation for the mapping class group of each sporadic surface.Comment: 45 pages, accepted for publication in Osaka J. Mat
