INTRODUCTION. 



In the present volume it has been the endeavour of the 

 Author to give, witli as mucli conciseness as is compatible 

 with the subject, a general view of the principal families 

 into which the Animal Creation has been grouped by 

 modern Zoologists ; together with such notices of their 

 characteristic habits and instincts as are to be gleaned 

 from various writers in every department of Natural 

 History. These, it is hoped, will be interesting to the 

 general reader, and at the same time afford the student 

 at least a bird's-eye view of the extensive field upon the 

 investigation of which he is desirous of entering. 



