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INTRODUCTION 



prosperity, let us also advance in the culture of the sciences 

 and arts ; and although its age as a nation, will not admit 01 

 as great perfection in literary or scientific attainments as those 

 of the old world, let there be no obstacles to the full devel- 

 opment of its prolific power ; and we may then hope that that 

 day is not far distant, when the Natural History of America 

 shall be as thoroughly explored as that of the mother coun- 

 try, giving valuable and important scientific information to 

 the inquirer after knowledge as well as to the lover of 

 aquatic sports. 



