PREFACE. 



some of the objects alluded to, to test by observation 

 the truth of some of the statements, and to seek in 

 other less elementary works additional and more 

 precise information. 



The classifications mentioned in the book are chiefly 

 those of Cuvier, and though now somewhat old are 

 still valuable, for the work of this renowned, savant, 

 though necessarily incomplete, was rarely erroneous. 

 The translator has occasionally introduced information 

 of a more recent date, and he has also ventured to alter 

 a few passages that, in the original, appeared to him, 

 for one reason or another, to be defective. For so 

 doing he hopes he may receive pardon from the 

 author and approval from the ever-gentle reader. 



D. S. 



