CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



all the branches of knowledge to which pure 

 photography can be applied, as a means ol 

 illustration, natural history is perhaps the most im- 

 portant. The illustration of natural history requires a 

 method which, in the first place, shall ensure minute 

 and detailed accuracy, and, in the second place, shall 

 admit of rapid execution. No method of draughts- 

 manship can vie with photography in either of these 

 respects. To compare the camera with the pencil in 

 point of speed would, of course, be absurd. It would 

 be almost equally absurd to compare it in point of 

 accuracy. Granted that, by the most skilful art and 

 the exercise of almost superhuman patience, an original 

 drawing could be secured which would represent with 

 distinctness every scale on a fish's body or every 

 feather on a bird, there would yet remain the ordeal of 

 the engraver before such a drawing could be multiplied. 

 Call in the aid of photography at this stage and there 

 would remain the chance of stereotyping an error. 



An example may be given of an error on the 

 engraver's part which has made an illustration 



