4 INTRODUCTION. 



extremes to which the all-daring, all-enduring hero of natural 

 science in the New World was exposed, through the long and 

 glorious triumphs of a life but just closed, furnish me with 

 nearly my ideal characteristics of the Hunter-Naturalist. 



Then, commingled as is my whole narrative with personal 

 reminiscence — after traversing, with the lingering affection 

 of a native, nearly the entire ground of magnificent novelty 

 in the Wild Scenes of our own young world — I have yet, 

 accompanied always by the hirsute, though unseen shadow 

 of the Hunter-Naturalist, as monitor and guide, passed over 

 the great waters to seek sombre and stately contrasts in the 

 Wild Scenes of the oldest continent of the Old World. 



That I should find these contrasts so generally in favor 

 of the rough manliness and vast enterprises of our own 

 country, will not at all astonish those whose experiences 

 have been, like my own, in the real ! 



In a word, I have endeavored to produce a book which, 

 in its desultory rather than careless manner, will yet be felt 

 not to be without its aim to instruct and amuse in the legiti- 

 mate themes of Natural History, outside the straight-laced 

 mannerism of technical treatment. 



In conclusion, I would express my obligations to Messrs. 

 Woodside and Kramer, artists, and Mr. Rosenthal, litho- 

 grapher, for their faithful assistance in the illustration of my 

 work. To Mr. Brightly, wood engraver, I am especially 

 indebted for the zeal with which, outside his legitimate 

 department, he has brought his spontaneous and unexpected 

 talent for " landscape design" to my aid, in kindly working 

 out for me the greater number, and among them many of the . . 



finest of my designs. ^* 



