vi PREFACE. 



his gardens, and fill the air with fragrance, so much the higher should we 

 prize those living tenants of the deep, withdrawn to testify the action and 

 volition diffused throughout their beautiful and luxuriant flourish. 



But this is only one of a thousand subjects adapted to invite our ad- 

 miration of the works of Providence. 



Let us examine the marvellous structure of animated beings framed 

 for the maintenance of life ; the organs allotted for the prehension, the 

 reception, the internal preparation and distribution of the food for nutri- 

 ment, and the benefit which it imparts. Let us contemplate the other 

 animal functions, all relative, co-operative, and effective towards producing 

 a common end, we are astounded alike at the contrivance and the execu- 

 tion. " How could this originate !" we exclaim. " How could such an 

 edifice be reared, but by some Supreme Architect .'" 



Still, is this glorious edifice doomed to perish ? Every year, every 

 hour, nay, each moment, is advancing it to decay. AVhy should it be so ? 

 Death is the necessary consequence of life. Were not multiplication 

 balanced by destruction, the earth would be soon overrun — incapable of 

 sustaining its tenants : Nor can the human imagination figure that space 

 sufficient to receive them to eternity. But while the lesser structure 

 perishes, the foundation remains. To living nature is committed the means 

 of replenishing the waste. 



In endeavouring to ascertain the history of the animated tribes, it 

 must be prosecuted from their origin to the close. We should behold 

 them under the nearest possible circumstances to their mode of life in 

 their natural abode. This, indeed, may be difficult But spite of that 

 tenuity of many humbler beings which almost eludes the observer's gaze, 

 of that delicacy and fragility almost precluding his touch, their retreat 

 from the light of day, and feeling the gentlest treatment too rude, patience 

 and perseverance will infallibly reward his diligence. 



The more important features to be considered, are form, feeding, 

 breeding, and the habits of animals. The form cannot be otherwise de- 

 monstrated than by the living subject. The food being seldom present 

 with the creature, is often to be found only by accident ; the breeding may 

 be seen from opportunity, though long sought in vain ; and the exhibition 



