PREFACE. IX 



endless digressions, the want of some systematic ar- 

 rangement has rendered the abridgement of his works 

 neither useful to the learner nor satisfactory to the 

 proficient. 



The author thinks it more generous to say nothing 

 on the very few attempts that have hitherto been made 

 to supply youth with a proper manual on animated 

 nature, than to speak with a censorious disapprobation. 

 When the intention is good, the severity of criticism 

 is misapplied. It is but justice to his predecessors in 

 this walk to allow, that the stores from which they se- 

 lected were far less complete than at this period ; and 

 if he fails, with such an accumulation of knowledge in 

 his reach, he is less entitled to excuse and to pardon. 



It is necessary, however, to remark, that the present 

 work aims only to rouse curiosity, by a display of a 

 few striking objects, not to gratify the fulness of its 

 wishes. It does not Center within its plan to give an 

 uninteresting catalogue of animals ; but, after exhibit- 

 ing a general view of their various classes, such an 

 assemblage is subjoined to each as may serve to sti- 

 mulate farther investigation. To generalize, rather 

 than to enumerate, is the object here proposed. The 

 history of the family or species is often that of the in- 

 dividuals of which it is composed. The orders and 

 genera of Linnaeus are indeed tacitly observed, but 

 not brought forward with useless parade and ostenta- 

 tion. Aware that verbal description alone of figure, 

 is at best but dry and uninviting, some of the priri- 

 cipal varieties are exhibited on copper-plates; and 

 habits and qualities are more enlarged on than tech- 

 nical and mechanical distinctions. 



It has been remarked, by one of our ablest writers, 

 that no combination of words can convey an exact 



