XXii PREFACE. 



It is still the author's intention to proceed farther in the exe- 

 cution of the task which he has undertaken, and to communi- 

 cate to the public a description of the remaining tribes of Bri- 

 tish Animals. In the mean time, he trusts that the present 

 work, with all its imperfections, will increase the facilities of 

 the student of British Zoology, and probably be the means of 

 exciting those who are in possession of more accurate informa- 

 tion to reveal their success to the public. Recollecting the dif- 

 ficulties which occurred to himself in the discrimination of spe- 

 cies, the author has, in the course of his work, studied simpli- 

 city, precision, and brevity, that he might contribute to remove 

 obstacles to an acquaintance with a science v/hich has long 

 yielded him gratifying instruction and amusement, and present- 

 ed so frequently to his notice the brightest exhibitions of the 

 wisdom of his Maker. 



Manse of Flisk, 

 Wh Deo^mber 18?7. 



