Viii PREFACE. 



most entertaining branch of natural history, oc- 

 cupies the greater part of the work. The most 

 striking and interesting objects of the animal 

 kingdom are delineated: the creatures which are 

 peculiarly curious in their conformation or ha- 

 bils, and especially those which are most formi- 

 dable or most beneficial to man, are particularly 

 selected and described. Those of general uti- 

 lity or the greatest commercial importance, and 

 those which frequently occur in conversation 

 or reading, in the relations of travellers, and in 

 the sacred or classical writings, are considered 

 as the most interesting subjects of investigation. 



The arrangement exhibited in the table of 

 contents, appears best adapted to general ideas, 

 and easiest to comprehend and remember; and 

 as the book is designed for the use of both sexes, 

 the greatest care- has been taken to avoid a fault 

 with which performances of this kind too often 

 abound. Indecorous expressions, and every 

 ihing that has a tendency to vitiate juvenila 

 ideas, have been, carefully avoided; and the 

 whole is interspersed with religious and moral 

 reflections. The epistolary form has been cho- 

 sen as well to give the young student some no- 

 tion of the useful art of letter-writing, as to in- 

 troduce the different subjects in an agreeable 

 nnd impressive manner. The whole design of 

 the work is, to convey to the juvenile mind, by 

 mi agreeable mode of communication, as much 

 important information on the subject of natural 



