

TO THE READER. 



In describing that portion of the system of 

 Natural History which embraces the Vertebral 

 Animals, — namely, the Mammalia, the Birds, the 

 Reptiles, and the Fishes, — the arrangement of the 

 Baron Cuvier was adopted. In the present 

 little volume, as well as in two others that 

 are to follow, and which, together, will comprise 

 the Invertebral Animals, the method of M. 

 Lamarck will be adhered to. It is true, that, since 

 the works of that naturalist were published, many 

 deviations from certain parts of his system have 

 taken place, some of which have received the 

 sanction of the highest names; but still, as a w holey 

 Lamarck's System remains unrivalled, and the 

 young naturalist can readily add to the informa- 

 tion it contains, by reference to the works of more 

 recent authors, in case he has sujfficlent inclination 

 and industry to follow out the subject. 



