il ADVERTISEMENT. 
all countries felt the necessity of more minute distinctions being esta- 
blished amongst those extensive groups which they had previously formed, 
and the result was a much nearer approximation than ever to an exact 
definition of each of the species. We refer to the Preface, at page xxx 
of the present volume, for a more copious account of the advantages 
which the last edition of the ‘‘ Animal Kingdom” presents, as compared 
with the first. 
It remains for us, then, merely to state, that we felt the great importance 
of at once adding to our scientific literature a work of such permanent value 
as the “ Animal Kingdom” of Cuvier. The character of the author for 
a profound knowledge of his subject—the conviction which we entertained 
of his exact accuracy in all that related to his labours, seemed to be 
sufficient to authorize us in trusting altogether to his authority; and if we 
have added a few notes occasionally in the present volume, our object only 
was to enable our readers to make such an application of the text as our 
local advantages in this country enabled us to do. 
In the following work, therefore, the reader will not find himself di- 
verted from the regular current of the simple text by any protracted and 
tedious notes, which dispute, as it were, the right to the space of every 
page with the actual contents of the original. We have, in the front of 
our announcement to the public, pledged ourselves to place the British 
reader ona level with the French one, in comprehending the result of Cuvier’s 
researches into the most interesting of the subjects that can engage the 
mind of man; and to the fulfilment of that pledge we feel it to be our duty 
toadhere. Fidelity, then, in the translation, was the first grand object of 
our care. We have laid it down as a fixed rule, never to depart, even in 
a casual expression, from a most faithful representation of the thoughts 
and words of the original; and we trust that we have not failed altogether 
in our attempt to transfer from his pages some portion at least of the 
energetic spirit, yet true simplicity, by which Cuvier’s style is so happily 
distinguished. It has been, therefore, no object of our ambition, on this 
occasion, to attempt the improvement of the charming colours of the 
lily, or give fresh beauty to the glowing hues of the violet. Our task 
was plain; and we felt that we performed enough, in devoting the whole of 
our exertions to effect the nearest possible approximation to the style and 
manner of the great Original—in other words, to secure to the English 
nation all the advantages of such an easy and instructive exposition of 
scientific knowledge as the French nation had already at their command. 
