PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



PRIOR to the publication of the first part of this little book, I had a few 

 copies struck off in a cheap form, without the illustrations, and sub- 

 mitted to the revision of Naturalists, whom I have the happinees to 

 number among my friends, and who had made certain departments of 

 Natural History their especial objects of study. This was done in order 

 that the book might be correct in regard to the facts, and that the 

 young reader might have as little as possible to unlearn. It was also 

 laid before some other friends, who took a deep interest in educational 

 works, could estimate the difficulties with which the language of science 

 is fraught, and point out any lurking ambiguity which had escaped 

 my own attention. 



Sensible of the improvement effected on Part I. by its having passed 

 through this ordeal of friendly criticism, I hesitated not to pursue the 

 same course with the present part, and thus to render it, as far as in my 

 power, worthy of the kind reception that had been awarded to the first. 

 I have endeavoured throughout, to mention in the foot notes, the 

 sources whence the information has been obtained; not only that an 

 authority might thus be given for the facts, but that the learner who 

 felt disposed to enter more fully into the subject might be directed to 

 trustworthy guides. 



The illustrations are, for the most part, those of M. Milne Edwards' 

 "Elemensde Zoologie," and " Cours Elementaire." A few additional 

 figures are introduced, which are copied from standard works on British 

 Natural History, and acknowledged as they occur. A copious Index 

 and Glossary have been added, and complete the work. 



I have done my best to make the book useful and attractive to the 

 young. If that object has been attained, I should hope that readers of 

 more mature years will cast a lenient eye on its defects. 



R. PATTERSON, 

 Belfast, 3, College Square North, 



February 22, 1818. * 



