IV PREFACE. 



and in other parts of the world. In these two departments of 

 the work, as well as among the Original Communications, will be 

 found numerous fragments of information, presented in various 

 forms and combinations, with a view to keep alive the interest of 

 the general reader ; and gradually, and in an agreeable manner, to 

 store his mind with facts. 



With respect to an Annual Summary of Discoveries, after con- 

 sulting some of the principal naturalists of France and Germany, 

 we are convinced it is impossible to do this as we intended; viz. to 

 give those of every year at its termination ; because, the materials 

 for the year cannot be got together for weeks, or even months, 

 after the year is completed. The attempt, we are informed, has 

 been made without success ; and we are not sure that we shall run 

 the risk of having our efforts added to the number of failures. At 

 any rate, we shall not attempt such a summary for the year about 

 to be completed, till an advanced period In the next year ; and, in 

 the mean time, if our readers do not calculate on receiving any 

 further summary in future Volumes than what can be given in such 

 a Preface as the present, they will, at least, not be disappointed. 

 They may rely, at the same time, on our being sufficiently alive to 

 our own interest, not to neglect such a summary if it shall be 

 found practicable, and can be done well. We date this Preface 

 from the city of Naturalists, and the best sources of information 

 on all that relates to Natural History. 



J. €. L. 



Paris, Dec. 16. 1828. 



