PREFACE. 



THIS Edition of the English version of Louis Figuier's 

 interesting work on Reptiles and Birds has been most 

 carefully revised. Where alterations and additions have 

 been made, the object has been to adapt the style and 

 matter to the present state of general knowledge, in the 

 hope that all readers might obtain useful information and 

 amusement from these pages. 



On originally commencing his undertaking the reviser 

 was not aware of the immensity of the labour to be done, 

 but was encouraged to persevere in his arduous task by 

 the late Mr. FRANK BUCKLAND and the late Mr. HENRY 

 LEE, who both assisted him in the kindest manner 

 possible. 



