PREFACE. 



combined with his well-known artistic skill, has en- 

 abled him to produce a most satisfactory result. 



One point in the work itself requires a word of 

 explanation. It has been impossible, from the very 

 nature of the objects treated of, to make the specific 

 descriptions as brief as I could have desired. I have 

 therefore printed in Italics the leading and distinctive 

 characters, so that the peculiarities which separate 

 each species from others may be recognized at a 



glance. 



I trust that this work may facilitate the study of 

 one of the most charming branches of Natural History, 

 and so tend in its degree to foster a taste which, I 

 can testify from experience, is an unfailing source of 

 delight, and affords the most welcome relief and 

 refreshment amidst the cares and harder duties of 

 life. 



T. H. 



Great Malvern, 

 November 20th, 1868. 



