CONCLUSION. 



This work has been delayed by uncontrollable 

 circumstances, for a much longer period than was 

 anticipated. It is not now the time to offer any 

 apology for the manner in which the undertakiug 

 has been accomplished. In reviewing what we 

 have done, it is easy to perceive that much may be 

 hereafter improved. These, and all other deficien- 

 cies will no doubt be indicated by those who inter- 

 est themselves in the execution of such performances. 

 We shall certainly profit by their suggestions, whe- 

 ther made in a spirit of candour or malevolence. 



We have been as original as it was possible to 

 be, in such a work, unless the whole business of the 

 author's life, had been the collection of materials. 

 The observations we have had an opportunity of 

 making from living nature, we fear not to have 

 compared with those made by any other individual. 

 Wherever we have been obliged to compile, we 

 have anxiously endeavoured to approximate the 

 truth, and have faithfully acknowledged the aid ob- 

 tained from different sources. 



