X INTRODUCTION. 



mortar, for the purpose, and they would cost 

 but a mere trifle. These, with a pound or two 

 of coffee-berries, and a lesson for the use of 

 them, would be "an acceptable and useful wed- 

 ding-present for the bride of a working man, 

 and might tend to win her husband from re- 

 sorting to an ale-house. 



But to return to the Lectures. They were 

 written partly from the Author's own notes; 

 and were, in part, extracted from different 

 works on natural history. Some of them have 

 been read and approved of by the Author's 

 friend and neighbour, Professor Owen ; and he, 

 therefore, submits them with some little confi- 

 dence to the public. He may add, that the in- 

 struction contained in them may be found useful 

 in schools, and to the young generally. Where 

 they have been read to children they have been 

 listened to with attention and pleasure. 



EDWARD JESSE. 



East Sheen, Surrey, 

 July, 1861. 



