Vlll PREFACE. 



to W. W. Saunclers, Esq. ; to Mr. Joshua Alder ; to Mr. 

 Price and Mr. B. Patterson ; and to Dr. George Wilson and 

 my long tried friend, Dr. William Baird. 



Again I have to disclaim any title to be considered an 

 original observer; I appear in the character of a compiler, 

 anxious, however, to deal honestly with the works and re- 

 searches of the labourers in this department of nature. 

 Foreign authors sometimes complain of the neglect of their 

 writings from English naturalists, who may again retort the 

 charge, but there is injustice in the complaint on both sides ; 

 the neglect proceeding, as I am convinced, solely from the great 

 difficulty of procuring the books that have been unquoted. I 

 am in this predicament, having failed to get some continental 

 works which have a high reputation. 



BERWICK-UPON-TWKED, 

 April 6, 1847. 



