Till PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



Some of these terms are only to be met with in what may be 

 called a diffused form, and to give a short and concise definition 

 has been a matter of difficulty. But here, and, as I fear, through- 

 out these pages, I hare sacrificed style to brevity. I have inserted 

 many words, such as Evolution, Life, Materialism, &c., and cer- 

 tain anatomical terms which may be an advantage to students. 



Since this book has been in the press much has appeared on 

 subjects that I should gladly have availed myself of. Dr. Giinther, 

 in that indispensable work the 'Zoological Record' (vol. v.), 

 states that not less than 34,000 pages of " zoological literature " 

 were published within the year 1868. How much has been done 

 within the last six months at home and abroad will only dawn 

 on us by slow degrees ; it is now scarcely possible for any one to 

 keep up, except as to the most salient points, with the progress 

 of zoological science. The best will be specialists and a little 

 more. I do not say this to deprecate criticism, which, for the 

 sake of truth, I shall be glad to see freely expressed ; it was 

 kindly and, I may say, flatteringly so of the first edition. 



F. P. P. 



April 27, 1880. 



