X INTRODUCTION. 



difficulty is made by the plain and perspicuous language 

 employed by a writer, the lower will he who has solved 

 it sink in their estimation, as one who has taken trouble 

 for so small an apparent effect. But if science has to 

 do with facts, my work, as any one may prove for 

 himself, may justly lay claim to a more scientific cha- 

 racter than appertains to many that have preceded them. 

 In writing for one's own countrymen, words and lan- 

 guage need not be employed, the sole effect of which 

 will be to conceal the meaning professedly intended to 

 be conveyed. It is only those who are more or less 

 ignorant themselves that think nothing can be considered 

 scientific which is not couched in language beyond the 

 comprehension of the readers whom it ought to be its 

 object to enlighten: they who are wiser will be content 

 to convey information in words that may be at once 

 and readily "understanded of the people." I, for my 

 part, have sought to elucidate rather than to mystify, 

 and to make others sharers in what knowledge I myself 

 have been favoured with the possession of, rather than 

 to set up a pretence to undue importance by a vain 

 display. I have accordingly adapted my style and lan- 

 guage to the comprehension of all, translating every- 

 where when necessary, having no wish to parade difficult 

 scientific terms at the expense of my readers. 



As to the general plan of the work, while giving the 

 Latin names of the several species, I have preserved all 

 the common English ones for those who, like myself, 

 will ever take a pleasure in them. That is a praise- 

 worthy rather than a censurable feeling which makes the 

 inhabitants at large of our villages and towns cling to the 

 country names of the natural objects around them. It 

 is a feeling which I for one would altogether encourage 

 rather than at all despise. I know, at the same time, 



