PREFACE 



It is now just twenty-five years ago when I was asked to 

 write, for the use of the young, a book on Zoology which should 

 be tolerably comprehensive, intelligible, and free from the con- 

 ventional errors which had been handed down from one writer 

 to another. Since that time the book has passed through many 

 editions, and now takes an entirely new shape, embodying the 

 most recent discoveries in Zoology, being much enlarged in size 

 and illustrated with many additional engravings. If it should 

 be as well received as its predecessors I shall be most satisfied. 



J. G. W. 



