PREFACE. 



It is only now, when I feel at last forced to render an 

 account of the work which I have undertaken and have now 

 completed, that I feel fully its many deficiencies. I have 

 however one consolation ; I feel that T have done my best 

 to render a tribute of gratitude to the school, where I passed 

 so many pleasant hours, and to the Natural History 

 Society of that school, to which, and to which alone, I 

 owe the formation of tastes, which now prove a continual 

 and endless source of pleasure and occupation to me. 



In the hope that it may prove useful to them, I have 

 undertaken this " labour of love." 



For the information of those, either in schools or in 

 private life, who may feel an interest in such societies, a 

 slight sketch of the one in point may not be out of place 

 here. In April, 1864, two or three members of the school, 

 who had a taste for Natural History, banded themselves 



