PREFACE. 



I PROPOSE in the present work to describe the most 

 characteristic and remarkable Fossil Remains of Mammals 

 and Birds that have hitherto been found in the British 

 Islands; to deduce therefrom, by Physiological com- 

 parisons, the living habits of the extinct species, to trace 

 out their Zoological affinities, and to indicate their Geo- 

 logical relations. 



The special researches which have enabled me to fulfil 

 in any degree these intentions, were begun by the desire, 

 and have been carried on chiefly by the liberal aid, of the 

 BRITISH ASSOCIATION ; and this work may be regarded 

 as one of the fruits of the principle of the combination of 

 individual efforts towards the advancement of science, 

 which is embodied in the Association. 



In adopting the octavo size and, wood-cut illustrations, 

 I have been actuated by the desire to cooperate with 

 some esteemed friends and fellow-cultivators of Zoo- 

 logy in carrying out Mr. Van Voorst's laudable design 

 of publishing, in a uniform series of works, a complete 

 Zoology of the British Islands. That this scheme ought 

 to embrace a history of the past as well as of the present 

 races of British Animals, is as obvious as the necessity of 

 knowing the whole in order fully to comprehend a part ; 

 and will be especially manifest by the light thrown by 

 the remains of our ancient Mammalia upon the origin 

 and relations of the small remnant of the indigenous 



