INTRODUCTION. 



Natural History offers to our study and observation many inducements, the greater as they are in a 

 measure promoted at every moment, by the objects surrounding us. What science, in fact, can claim 

 more interest and awaken our curiosity to a higher degree, than the one which acquaints us with the 

 animated beings that breathe with us on the earth! Which makes us follow the feathered tribes 

 through the air, or fathom the waters in search of their innumerable inhabitants. 



How pleasing and interesting it is to follow in our gardens the study of flowers, plants and fruits ; 

 to class their different families, to divide their numerous species, to know, to aid their culture, vege- 

 tation and reproduction ! 



And in observing the wonders of nature in these productions, how much do we not feel we must ad- 

 mire and adore the wisdom and divine bounty of an Almighty God, who has created all ; whose 

 Providence is displayed as fully in the basest insect or plant, as in the most stupendous phenomena of 

 the Universe. 



The study of Natural History, although the most true, the most simple, and interesting of all studies, 

 is nevertheless the one most neglected. Even its votaries are satisfied with selecting one of its nu- 

 merous branches, seemingly forgetting all the others ; thus, some study the History of Birds, others 

 of Butterflies, others of Flowers, and others, of Shells ; and yet, among these, there are some whose 

 researches do not go beyond a few species ; thus, an amateur of Tulips, will feign to be ignorant of 

 the existence of other flowers ; some amateurs of Birds, will only observe Parrots ; or notice but one 

 species of the innumerable families forming the ensemble of the great works of c.reation. 



One obstacle to the more general diffusion of a knowledge of the different species forming the 

 vegetable and animal kingdoms, is the high price required of the works, and their too voluminous 

 collection. 



To obviate this inconvenience, we offer to our subscribers the Naturalist, arranged and classified, 

 so as to form a complete natural history of each species. 



This History will be continued in the same order in all the following numbers. 



Exact and correct description will afford ample knowledge of each animal or plant ; of its origin, 

 usefulness, habits, or of its specific properties. 



Five plates will be engraved on steel, and will be colored with the greatest care and faithfulness. 

 For each number the drawings will be executed from the very best works extant, and frequently from 

 Nature. 



This publication, which, in the course of one year, will give the description and/ac simile of more 

 than 75 Birds, 75 Mammalia, of as many Butterflies, Fishes, Shells, Reptiles, Insects, Flowers, 

 Fruits, and Plants of every description, will be sold at the following low rate : 



For each number colored with the greatest care, - 50 cents. 



For twelve copies. " - $5 00 



Subscriptions for twelve numbers will be received for $5, paid in advance. 



By these means, this great study of Nature, published at so moderate a price, will be placed within 

 the reach of all intellects, and the interest afforded in each number, by its diversity, will but elucidate 

 its exposition, and the details of scientific description. 

 Orders must be directed, postage paid, to 



FERDINAND QUARRE, Publisher of the Naturalist, New York. 



N. B. All papers inserting this prospectus in their columns, will be entitled to one year's subscrip- 

 tion. 



