PREFACE. Xlll. 



Convinced as Ihe author is that a knowledge of Natural 

 history, is best conveyed through the alluring medium of 

 Poetry; if his present eflfort be approved, it is his intention 

 to proceed (should health and opportunity permit,) in a 

 similar way with the remainder of the Animal kingdom. 

 The whole will then be arranged in the following manner ; 



I. Mammalia, or the Quadrupeds, and other animals 

 which svckle their young ; characterized by a heart having 

 two ventricles and two auricles ; the blood being red and 

 warm ; viviparous. 



II. Ormthologia, (the present Work,) or the Birds ; 

 the characters of which are the same as in the first class 

 except that Birds are oviparous^ covered with feathers, and 

 furnished, for the most part, with wings, so as to be able to 

 raise themselves in the air. 



III. Amphibia, which will include the Serpent, Crocodile y 

 Frog, Toady ^c. ; in this class the heart has but one ventricle 

 and one auricle ; the blood being red but cold; inspiration and 

 expiration, in some measure, voluntary. 



IV. IcHTHYOLOGiA, Of the FiSHES ; the heart of this class 

 has the same structure, and the blood similar qualities uith 

 those of the amphibia; but Fishes are distinguished by 

 brunchicB, or gillsy and by having no such voluntary command 

 of the lungs. 



V. Entomologia, or the Insects ; the heart has one ven- 

 tricle, but no auricle ; the blood is cold and white; this class 

 has also antennee or feelers^ 



VI. Helminthologia, or the Worms ; the characters of 

 which are the same as in class V. ; this Class has, however, 

 no antenncBy but is furnished with tentacula. 



And thus become, it is hoped, useful and amusing 

 manuals of the science of Animal Natural History ; and 

 prove, besides, the author hopes and believes, that Poetry 

 can be rendered subservient to Nature and to Truth. 



a3 



