INTRODUCTION 



This volume contains Books VIII-XI of Pliny's 

 Naturalis Hisioria ; their subject is Zoology. 



The detailed contents will be found in PHny's 

 o\vn outHne of his work, which, with Hsts of the 

 authorities used for each Book, constitutes Book I ; 

 for Books VIII-XI see Volume I, pp. 40-64, of this 

 edition. 



Book VIII deals with various mammals, wild and 

 domesticated ; and among them are introduced 

 snakes, crocodiles and Hzards. 



Book IX treats aquatic species, including Nereids, 

 Tritons and the sea-serpent. There are considerable 

 passages on their economic aspects — the use of fish 

 as food, pearls, dyes obtained from fish, and on their 

 physiology, sensory and reproductive. 



Book X. Ornithology : hawks trained for fowHng ; 

 birds of evil omen ; domestication of birds for food ; 

 talking birds ; reproduction. Appendix on other 

 viviparous species, passing on to animals in general 

 — their methods of reproduction, senses, nutrition, 

 friendship and hostiHty between different species, 

 sleep. 



Book XI. Insects, their physiology and habits — 

 especially bees, silk-worms, spiders. Classification 

 of animals by varieties of bodily structure — animal 

 and human physiology. 



