

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



The " First Book of Natural History," has been received with so much 

 favour, as to induce me to prepare the second of the series, which embraces 

 the study of mammiferous animals. Although, like " Physiology and Ani- 

 mal Mechanism," this is a Primer, or First-Book, I have named it, " Second 

 Book of Natural History," with the view of designating the series numeri- 

 cally, and thereby obviating confusion on this point. 



As in many instances, the same animal is known by different common 

 names in different places, (the Rock-Jish of Philadelphia, for example, is a 

 Striped-Bass, at Boston), I have added the systematic names, which are 

 generally derived from the Greek or other languages, and presented in a 

 Latin dress. To facilitate the labours of the student, all these names have 

 been given in a glossary with their respective definitions, and etymologies 

 The Greek words have been printed in italics, and where it occurs, the 

 omega has been designated by a mark over the o, thus ; (d.) It is be- 

 lieved that a knowledge of the etymology of systematic names materially 

 assists the student in understanding and recollecting the things they desig- 

 nate : it is therefore respectfully suggested, that teachers should require their 

 pupils, when reciting their lessons, to explain all the uncommon words con- 

 tained in it, or even commit the whole glossary to memory in successive 

 lessons. 



It is not designed that the questions at the foot of the page shall be an- 

 swered by repeating the text from memory ; but the pupil should be able to 

 give the facts in his own language, and show he understands the subject. 



The plates were engraved by Mr. G. Thomas, (No. 37 South Third Street, 

 Philadelphia.) The frontispiece is a faithful copy, though reduced in size, of 

 a portrait of Ongpatonga, (Big Elk,) Chief of the Omawhaws, drawn for 

 Morton's Crania Americana, by M. S. Weaver, from the original painting 

 by J. Neagle. For a lithographic copy of this drawing, I am indebted to my 

 friend, Professor S. G. Morton. 



In preparing this little volume I have endeavored to avoid errors, and I 

 should be very glad to feel sure that I have been successful in my attempt ; 

 and though men of greater information may detect faults, I still hope the 

 book may be found adequate to its object. I beg critics to bear in mind that 

 it is merely a Primer, and not presented as a perfect system of Mammalogy 

 for the use of naturalists. It is designed solely to facilitate the primary 

 studies of those who desire to become acquainted with that branch of natural 

 history, which treats of mammiferous animals. 



PHILADELPHIA, December , 1841. 



