Xil ADDRESS TO THE READER. 
preserving the specimens he may discover—and pointing out 
the means to be pursued, for ascertaining their nature, and 
their relation to existing plants or animals. 
Thirdly, to place before the StuDENT a familiar exposition 
of the elementary principles of Paleontology, based upon 
a general knowledge of the structure of vegetable and animal — 
organization ; to excite in his mind a desire for further 
information, and prepare him for the perusal and study of 
works of a higher order than these unpretending volumes ; 
and to point out the sources from which the required 
instruction may be derived. | 
Although fully aware of the imperfect manner in which 
these intentions are fulfilled, the Author hopes that the — 
indulgence claimed by one of the most able writers of our 
times may be extended to him ; and that, “‘if the design be | 
good upon the whole, the work will not be censured too 
severely for those faults, from which, in parts, its very nature — 
would scarcely allow it to be free.” * | 
With regard to the best means of making use of these 
volumes, the advice of the great founder of Inductive Philo- 
sophy, on the Study of Books in general, expressed in the 
quotation prefixed to this address, is peculiarly applicable 
to the different classes of readers for whom the work is 
designed. 
Thus, “the Book may be tasted, that is, read only in parts,” 
by the intelligent reader, who reqpires but a general acquaint- 
ance with the subjects it embraces. The perusal of the 
introductory and concluding remarks of each chapter, of the 
* Sir E. B. Lytton—preface to the second edition of “TH Dis- 
OWNED.” 
