INTRODUCTION. 



THE subject of the Natural History of Animals is in 

 itself so interesting to children, that no persuasion will be 

 required to induce them to read this book, or to attend 

 to such further information or illustration as the teacher 

 may think proper to add to the lessons herein given. 



It is therefore to such as have the guidance of the 

 young, that these lines are addressed, in the hope of 

 proving to them that this study is not merely pleasant, 

 but useful nay, important in the last degree. 



It is the sacred office of the true educator to arouse the 

 inquiring faculties of the young mind to develop every 

 thought and feeling ; and can this be better done than 

 by directing the attention to the" wondrous wisdom 

 displayed in the works of Nature, and to the infinite 

 mercy by which each animal, however lowly, lives, 

 moves, and fulfils its purpose in the great scheme of 

 the creation? For does not every creature that treads 

 the earth, every bird that flies above us, every fish that 

 wends its way through the waters, every insect that 

 sports so gaily in the air, inspire us with admiration of 

 Almighty wisdom and care ? and the thoughts of wonder 

 at the creation, will lead to feelings of gratitude to the 

 Creator from nature, to nature's God. 



But although the endeavour has been made to render 

 as full information as the limits of this work permit, it 



