

The contemplation and study of Animated Nature excites universal interest and delight. The 

 reason for this is obvious. The subject is, in itself, peculiarly attractive to minds of every class. 

 The mineral and vegetable kingdoms interest comparatively but few, while all are drawn, with irre- 

 sistible curiosity, to an examination of each and all of the orders of animated existence. 



This universal popular interest in the subject, and the obvious advantages which result from its 

 investigation, have led to the preparation of the following work. 



Works upon this subject have, heretofore, been too elaborate, technical and expensive, or too con- 

 cise and puerile, for popular use. They have been adapted, either to the critical student of Natural 

 History, or to mere children. Hence, no full and satisfactory work upon this interesting subject, has 

 found its way to the Homes and Firesides of the great body of our people. 



This work, it is believed, supplies the deficiency. All technical names and terms have been care- 

 fully avoided ; such only being used as will be readily comprehended by the general reader. 



The value of works upon Natural History, largely consists in the number and accuracy of the illus- 

 trative engravings. In this respect the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animated Nature is very full 

 and accurate, there being thirteen hundred and fifty engravings, exhibiting the different varieties 

 of each of the orders described in the work, including the diiferent races of Men, the various Beasts, 

 Birds, Fishes, Insects, and Microscopic Animalcule of the globe. 



This work, it is believed, will be acceptable to American readers, leading to a more general appre- 

 ciation of the importance of Natural History, and to a wider diffusion of a popular taste for that inter 

 esting subject. 



