AUTHOR'S PREFACE vii 



Kluge, Magdeburg ; Professor Dr. Kiikenthal, Breslau ; Dr. Sajo, 

 Buda-Pesth; Professor Dr. Simroth, Leipzig; Dr. Smalian, Halle-on- 

 Saale ; Dr. Stingelin, Olten, and Dr. Tiimpel, Gera. I further owe 

 special thanks to Priv. Docent Dr. Hesse, Tubingen, for kindly under- 

 taking the troublesome and time-absorbing task of reading the work in 

 manuscript. 



Through the excellent skill of the distinguished animal-painter, Herr 

 Albert Kail, and the self-sacrificing generosity of the publisher, I have 

 been enabled to adopt, in regard to the illustrations also, methods in part 

 quite new in school text -books. I have represented the animals, not 

 according to the usual hackneyed illustrations taken from stuffed 

 or preserved museum specimens, but as living beings amidst their 

 natural surroundings, and with special attention to the characteristic 

 features of their mode of life. 



In now presenting to the public this result of many years of labour 

 and difficulty, I must not omit to state that I do not regard the work as 

 by any means perfect or complete, but shall heartily welcome any 

 suggestions or advice for its improvement. 



Prompted as the work has been by a love of teaching and of Nature. 

 I now send it forth into the world with the earnest wish that it may 

 render teaching a labour of love to the teacher, and the study of Nature 

 a delight to the young. 



THE AUTHOK. 

 MAGDEBURG, 



May 6, 1899. 



