iv PREFACE. 



The Mammalia, Birds, and Keptiles. By Edward Bljth, Esq. 

 The Fishes and Radiata. By Robert iNIudie, Esq. 

 The Molluscous Animals. By George Johnston, Esq., M.D. 

 The Articulated Animals. By J. O. Westwood, Esq., F.L.S. 



Throughout the whole of these departments there will be found original 

 remarks; but these are always distinguished from that which belongs to 

 Cuvier, by being enclosed within brackets. This mode of arrangement was 

 thought to be much better than the appending of notes, which always divide 

 the attention of the reader, and weaken the interest of the subject. Many of 

 the classes and orders have been reinvestigated, and many new species added. 

 This is most extensively done in the departments which were intrusted to Mr. 

 Blyth and Mr. Westwood; but it runs more or less throughout the 

 whole ; and the publishers flatter themselves that this will be of great service 

 to all students of this highly interesting branch of knowledge. The different 

 sizes of type, which bear some proportion to the comparative importance of the 

 subject, will enable the reader to glean an outline of the system ; — to obtain 

 somethinrr more than a bare outline, he must read the entire work. 



To these remarks, which were appended in 1846 to the first edition, the 

 publishers may be permitted to add a few words respecting the present reprint. 

 It was not considered desirable to disturb the illustrious author's arrangement 

 by the introduction of a more modern system, nor was it thought proper to 

 overlook altogether, in a work professing to give a complete view of Animated 

 Nature, the results of modern investigation. The publishers have, therefore, 

 added supplementary articles to such branches as seemed to require it ; Dr. 

 Carpenter kindly supplying what was wanting to the Mollusca and Fishes, 

 and Mr. Westwood performing the same to his own department of the work. 



In addition to these improvements, the work is now illustrated by thirty 

 plates of Animals, etched by Mr. TllOMAS Landseer, and four plates repre- 

 senting the difl'erent races of Mankind; and the publishers present it in its 

 present form in the belief that it will merit public approbation. 



Stkad's Place, LKrrn A\'ai.k. 



