PREFACE 



the appending of notes, which always divide the attention of the reader, and 

 weaken the interest of the subject. Many of the classes and orders have 

 been reinvestigated, and many new species added. This is most extensively 

 done in the departments which were intrusted to Mr. Blyth and Mr. West- 

 wood ; but it runs more or less throughout the whole ; and the publishers 

 flatter themselves that this will be of great service to all students of this 

 highly interesting branch of knowledge. The different sizes of type, which 

 bear some proportion to the comparative importance of the subject, will 

 enable the reader to glean an outline of the system ; — to obtain something 

 more than a bare outline, he must read the entire work. 



To these remarks which were appended in 1846 to the first edition, the 

 publishers may be permitted to add a few words respecting the present re- 

 print. It was not considered desirable to disturb the illustrious author's 

 arrangement by the introduction of a more modern system, nor was it 

 thought proper to overlook altogether, in a work professing to give a com- 

 plete view of Animated Nature, the results of modern investigation. The 

 publishers have, therefore, added supplementary articles to such bi'anches 

 as seemed to require it; Dr. Carpenter kindly supplying what was 

 wanting to the Mollusca and Fishes, and Mr. Westwood performing the 

 same to his own department of the work. 



In addition to these improvements, the work is now illustrated by thirty 

 plates of Animals, etched by Mr. Thomas Landseer, and four plates re- 

 presenting the different races of Mankind ; and the publishers present it in 

 its present form in the belief that it Avill merit public approbation. 



Amen Corner, Paternoster Row. 



