to render the work acceptable to general readers, by devoting a large portion of it to lively and entertaining sketches of the habits and instincts of animals; and we have been indebted to a large number of books of travels, for many illustrative traits.

It has been remarked by an elegant writer, that "the pursuit of Natural History in almost any way, as a study. or an amusement, is both indicatiye and productive of gentleness, refinement, and virtue." This we believe to be strictly true, and if the present volume shall be instrumental in diffusing a taste for knowledge, the influence of which is so salutary, we shall deem the labor bestowed upon the compilation as abundantly rewarded.