'I(, the Honorable R. A. Pvxe, M.D., 

 Minister of Educatioi, 

 Ontario : 



I have the honor to present to you the "Manual o! the Vertebrates 

 of Ontario," produced under your authority and instructions by Mr. C. 

 W. Nash of Toronto. 



This work has been issued in three separate sections, viz., "Birds 

 of Ontario," "The Batrachians, Reptiles and Mammals of Ontario, - 

 and "Fishes of Ontario." To these sections has now been added a glos- 

 sary and index to the whole. 



The demand for each of these sections has been very great and the 

 issue has been much appreciated, particularly by those engaged in edu- 

 cational work throughout the Province. 



There is reason to believe that the presentation of this work will 

 greatly facilitate the study of animal life on the part of our people and 

 especially of the young, whether they are pursuing systematic studies 

 in natural history or are merely desirous of acquiring casual informa- 

 tion on the subject. 



The economic importance of knowledge concerning all forms of 

 life is especially valuable in this Province where the great bulk of our 

 w-ealth is drawn direct from the hands of nature. Unfortunately too 

 little attention has been paid to this subject in the past, with the result 

 that many of our most valuable forms of life are threatened with exter- 

 mination. 



This is particularly the case with our fish, many species of w'hich 

 liave entirely disappeared from our waters, w'hile others formerly so 

 abundant as to have been within the reach of every person are now 

 luxuries only obtainable by the rich. 



Our lakes, with the application of scientific methods, could undoubt- 

 edly be made to produce an unfailing supply of cheap and wholesome 

 food. This, however, will only be done when those engaged in the 

 fisheries have a better knowledge of the habits of the fish they capture 

 and the general public are more fully informed of the value of this 

 important national asset. 



I have the honor to be. Sir, 



Yours respectfully, 



David Boyle, 

 Superintendent Provincial Museum. 



Toronto, Nov. 25th, 1908. 



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