VI PREFACE. 



C-iriosity, and invite to a deeper and further study of the wondrous works 

 of Nature. In this hope there have been added the technical names of 

 caeli order, genus and species. 



It docs not require to be pointed out how fascinating a study 

 Natural llistoryin all its branches must ever be, or what a perpetual 

 source ol interest can be lound in observing the forms and habits of the 

 living creatures which meet our view whatever portion of the world we 

 visit. Still more interesting and more instructive must be a knowledge of 

 that class of Animated Nature to which man himself belongs, and which 

 contains such friends of man as the dog that guards him, the horse that 

 labors for him, the ox that supplies him food, and the sheep that furnishes 

 him with clothing; till man iiad brought these under his dominion, how 

 inconceivably helpless he must have been ! No less instructive is it to 

 note how the lower animals differ from or resemble Man, the crown 

 of Nature's work ; how admirably each species is adapted for the loca- 

 tion in which its lot is cast, and lor the uses it has to luUil in the 

 economy of the world ; how marvellously they are endowed with jxiwer 

 and grace and beauty. 



I'-S[)ecially in the present day is a knowledge of the elements of 

 Natural History a necessary part of our education. This work claims 

 (o minister to the educational wants of all classes, and therefore careluUy 

 avoids discussion of unsettled points, and states nothing but incontro- 

 vertible facts. 



The order in wliich tlie various genera of the Mammalia is placed 

 has been adopted in accordance with the most eminent authorities. 



The first two chapters are devoted to an account of the system of 

 classification of the Animal Kingdom, and therefore may prove less 

 interesting to manv readers than tin- following chapters, in which the 

 different genera and species are described, and in wiiich there is more 

 of living interest and entertaining narrative. 



Hugh Craig. 



