VI PREFACE. 



from the accurate sketches it contains of American 

 scenery under very various aspects. 



And it has other merits : it embodies a large number of 

 details in reference to the habits and characteristics of the 

 animals with which our hunter and trapper was brought 

 into contact; so that it may prove useful, either as an 

 introduction to the study of Natural History, or as a, 

 companion and supplement to formal scientific treatises. 

 We are not without hope that many young readers who 

 would turn away from the latter with " cold indifference " 

 will peruse the story of M. Revoil's adventures with 

 breathless interest, and thereby be led to acquire a taste 

 for a very agreeable and instructive pursuit, the investi- 

 gation of the Curiosities of Animal Life. 



We have only to add that we have allowed our hunter 

 to tell his tale in his own way. We have made no alte- 

 rations except such as were necessary to adapt the book 

 for English readers, and have endeavoured to render the 

 original with spirit and fidelity. 



W. H. D. A. 



