PREFACE. Xlll 



Mr Stephens, is a work daily exhibiting the vast resources of 

 his rich cabinet, and his discriminating acquaintance with the 

 indigenous species. 



Besides these displays of increasing attachment to the im- 

 provements which have been effected in the science, several cir- 

 cumstances have recently occurred in London, which seem cal- 

 culated to promote the advancement of zoology in this country. 

 The Zoological Club, instituted 29th November 1823, on the 

 birth-day of Ray, will, it is hoped, give a new energy to those 

 members of the Linnean Society, who devote their attention to 

 the subjects of the animal kingdom. The establishment of a 

 Zoological Journal, in 1824, is not without its interest, as in- 

 dicating, we hope, an increasing demand for the truths of the 

 science, and an anxiety to trace its progress. The Zoological 

 Institution, organized 22d June 1825, under the auspices, and 

 by the persevering exertions, of the late Sir Stamford Raf- 

 fles, does honour to the spirit of the age. Botanic and Hor- 

 ticultural Gardens had long been established, and plants col- 

 lected from various quarters for inspection, study, and applica- 

 tion to purposes of utility or ornament. Now, the Animals of 

 different countries will be subjected to similar treatment, and 

 the happiest results may be anticipated. Nor can it be forgot- 

 ten in this place, that a Professorship of Zoology has at last 

 been instituted in the United Kingdom, and that the Universi- 

 ty of London has set the example. 



Amidst so many displays of zoological zeal, it appeared to the 

 author that a compendious view of the characters of British Ani- 

 mals would be useful in promoting the progress of the science, 

 and as a substitute for more extended disquisitions. In 1822, 

 he had ventured to publish the Philosophy of Zoology, in which 

 it is attempted to collect and classify the truths of physiology, 

 and to point out their importance in illustrating the characters 

 of those groups into which animals have been divided. He there 

 stated, that the Fauna of a country should embrace Resident 

 Animals, Periodical Visitants, Stragglers, together with the Ex- 

 tirpated, Extinct, and Naturalized Species. In the construction 

 of the present Work, these important distinctions have been kept 

 in view. 



The Resident Animals are such as can accommodate them- 



