EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



THE Regne Animate of the illustrious CUVIER is acknow- 

 ledged to furnish at once the most simple and the most philoso- 

 phic view of Animated Nature ; and therefore the best, not only 

 for the professional student of that most interesting portion of 

 the works of creation, but also for all classes of persons gene- 

 rally who seek (and who is there in these days who does not 

 seek?) for general information upon that most inviting of all 

 subjects. 



Cuvier entered upon this work, which to him must have 

 been one of heartfelt pleasure, as the summing-up of a long 

 and active life, devoted to this his favourite study, much better 

 qualified and prepared than any one who had previously at- 

 tempted a classification of the animal kingdom. Naturally a 

 close and scrutinising observer, intimately acquainted with the 

 structure of animals by the most careful dissection and exami- 

 nation of all the forms of their organisation and all the corre- 



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