6 



PREFACE. 



those to whom he is mainly indebted for the know- 

 ledge which he possesses. 



The authorities which have been consulted with 

 reference to these Lives are too numerous to be 

 mentioned here ; but the more important are pointed 

 out as occasion presents. It may be sufficient to re- 

 mark, that no modern work on Natural History 

 would be deserving of public confidence^ which did 

 not acknowledge some obligation to the valuable 

 labours of the French School, and of Sir James Ed- 

 ward Smith in our own country. 



The second volume, already in preparation, will 

 be devoted to the most distinguished writers in the 

 same department, from Pallas, Brisson, and Buffon, 

 down to Cuvier, and will conclude with General 

 Reflections on the present state of the science. 



Edikbuegh, June 1834. 



I 



