xvi INTRODUCTION 



and increase the above-mentiniird impetus was, and is, a main 

 object of this work. 



The foregoing is not written Uy wny of apology. A subject which 

 is not only so captivating a science, but also the most humanising 

 of all sciences, or at least closely akin thereto, requires none ; as 

 from an intimate relationship with our lower fellow-creatures we 

 are supplied with many of our finest associations of tenderness, 

 and thus advanced in the scale of humanity and civilisation, their 

 society seems to temper man's natural injustice, and tone down 

 his innate ferocity or inhumanity to his fellow-men. 



In undertaking the compilation and issuing of such a work, I 

 am fully alive to the possibility of some people saying that it can 

 only be characterised as misdirected philanthropy and misap|)lied 

 industry. With all due deference to individual opinions, this does 

 not trouble me. I have felt, like many others before me, that the 

 dry bones of Celtic indifference need more awakening, and if I am 

 to be of any use in assisting to do so, I must have strong convic- 

 tions, and not only have, but put them into practice. In this 

 " process of wakening " every true Celt at le-ist should enter 

 appearance and take a hand, showing that he or she has practical 

 convictions ; it is demanded from them, and though the effect of 

 want of immediate success may be dej)ressing and dispiriting, 

 patience must be exercised and profound faith. If the work is 

 good, as I strongly consider it to be, it is bound to bear good fruit 

 sooner or later ; this has been well evidenced, even indeed within 

 the last fifty years. 



My department in such a work may be characterised or 

 described as belonging to a species of the Celtic natural histonan, 

 to whose work there is no limit, w^hose functions are to hoard or 

 collect material for a more comprehensive and special work or 

 works on the respective subjects, to follow^, it is hoped, some day ; 

 and this rather than the seeking to assist or guide people having 

 more intimate acquaintance with, and knowledge of, the various 

 subjects themselves. In the very numerous works on natural 

 history, even in English, that is already done ad injinitinn, but I 

 take the liberty of stating that my idea of the painfully systematical 

 arrangement or arrangements is, that it is not only to a great 

 extent useless, but injurious in its would-be precision. These at 

 least are my convictions. To deal here with the science of natural 

 history would be ridiculous and out of place, if not injurious and 

 presumptuous. Such research being far removed from the ordinary 

 business of life precludes it being looked at even, much less engag- 

 ing the notice of the average man or woman of the world, though 

 from being so closely akin to our own existence, and so connected 

 with our animal wants, natural history should claim and receive 

 the attention at least of even the most indifferent, ignorant, or 

 careless, while appealing to the most cultivated and refined. In 

 support of the statement that natural history is akin to our own 



