PREFACE. 7 



nature's objects mentioned therein, and may also aid 

 in preserving from oblivion some of the thoughts and 

 facts recorded of those objects by the observers of 

 old. 



At a casual glance, the book may seem scientific 

 and technical in nature, owing to the large number 

 of Latin names used. These are, however, printed in 

 italics and may be readily passed over without losing 

 any part of the connection, since they are almost al- 

 ways accompanied by the common name of the plant 

 or animal to which they refer. Aside from these 

 Latin names, it is believed that no portion of the 

 book will be found unintelligible to the ordinary 

 reader. 



Indianapolis, Ind., October 1, 1902. 



