io {preface 



It is a little discouraging to begin our natural 

 history diary in January, just when all animal and 

 plant life seem asleep for the winter ; but perhaps 

 we shall find to our surprise that there is hardly a 

 day in the blankest season of the year, which will 

 not afford us some sources of interest and much 

 that will lead to pleasant thought and study. The 

 limits of space will not admit of a daily ramble, and 

 bad weather sometimes hinders outdoor study ; so, 

 for a little variety, I have sometimes discoursed upon 

 objects taken from my own museum. 



