

PREFACE. 



The study of Natural History has become so extensive 

 as to call for a great multiplication of books upon the 

 subject. A few years ago, the translation of Buifon, 

 which appeared under the title of " Goldsmith's Animated 

 Nature," was almost the only work in popular use. Even 

 when its utter want of accurac}^ and adaptation to the 

 improved state of science was generally known, it still 

 continued to be reprinted, and was probably the instrument 

 of disseminating nearly as much error as truth. 



But within a short period, several excellent works have 

 appeared in Europe, combining, in a good degree, popular 

 and pleasing descriptions of animals, with scientific accu- 

 racy. In the present volume, the editor has attempted to 

 compile from these a more complete and compreh jnsive 

 system of popular and scientific Zoology than has hereto- 

 fore appeared, in any form accessible to common readers. 



The work is arranged according to the classification of 

 Stark, which being based upon that of Cuvier, we believe 

 is more generally approved than any other. Although the 

 work embraces scientific names and descriptions, yet these 

 are made to occupy as litde compass as possil^le, and are 

 placed at the foot of the pages in the form of notes. We 

 regard the subject of Zoology as one of great utility, and 

 desiring that it should be extensively read, we have sought 



