PREFACE. 



It has recently been asserted that Zoology is not a sub- 

 ject which can profitably be taught in schools. In this 

 opinion the author finds himself entirely unable to con- 

 cur ; and the present work is an attempt to solve, upon 

 a new basis, the problem how the facts of Natural His- 

 tory can be imparted to the previously uninstructed be- 

 ginner in such a manner that he may obtain some real 

 knowledge of the subject, and not a mere parrot-like 

 acquaintance with a greater or less number of technical 

 names. 



In this work, no other preliminary knowledge is as- 

 sumed in the learner than some slight acquaintance with 

 the chief functions of the animal body. Or, it is assumed 

 that the teacher, in the absence of such preliminary 

 knowledge, will explain to the learner the meaning of 

 such terms as "breathing-organs," "circidatory system," 

 or the like, and will point out in what the processes of 

 resiDiration and circulation really consist. 



Instead of reviewing the divisions of the Animal King- 

 dom in a systematic manner, a series of common types 

 has been chosen, representing the various classes of ani- 

 mals, and the leading peculiarities of these types have 

 been described more or less fully. At the close of the 

 description of each type, the characters which it possesses 

 in common with the other members of its class are 

 pointed out; and in a concluding chapter it is shown 

 how the classes may be arranged under larger divisions 

 or "sub-kingdoms." 



Two or three classes, as being of very small imiiort- 

 ance, have been altogether omitted. For obvious reasons, 

 also, the reproductive system and processes of the ani- 



M: 



^ni^try of FJucatJ.n, Ont, 

 Historical GoJiection 



