ADVERTISEMENT. V 



ses, the methods adopted by naturalists of the first emi- 

 nence, and most generally followed, keeping in view 

 the great outline of Cuvier, founded on the compara- 

 tive organization of the animal races. The other sys- 

 tems which have been at various periods proposed are 

 noticed in the introductory observations at the head of 

 each class. In most cases the Linnaean name, where 

 it has not been followed as the leading term, is given 

 as a synonym. 



As the place of the different classes of animals in 

 the series is determined by their comparative organiza- 

 tion, a short sketch of the internal structure as well as 

 of the external characters of each group is given in the 

 respective introductions. The details on this part of 

 the subject, which are chiefly from Cuvier and Dumeril, 

 will be found of material use to the student of Compa- 

 rative Anatomy, in connecting with his researches the 

 zoological history of the various races. 



To complete the plan, a short Introduction to Bo- 

 tany, embracing a general view of the structure of the 

 Vegetable Kingdom, of the system of Linnaeus, and the 

 Natural Families of Jussieu, follows the Zoological 

 part of the work ; and a brief sketch of the Mineral 

 Kingdom, including Mineralogy and Geology. 



- In the collection and arrangement of the materials, 

 every accessible source has been consulted ; and gene- 



