PREFACE. iil 
presenting to a class a bird’s-eye view of the animal 
kingdom. 
In order that Natural History may be taught effi- 
ciently, it is necessary that the pupil should have 
some knowledge of Physiology. It will be well for 
him, therefore, to go through my “ First Book in 
Physiology” before entering on the study of this 
book, and better still would it be if he has also gone 
through my “ Child’s Book of Nature,” in the Second 
Part of which are presented such views of Physiology 
and Natural History together as can be readily com- 
prehended by children of nine or ten years of age. 
Throughout the present work I have been particular 
to develop the intimate connection existing between 
Physiology and Zoology, knowing that a neglect of 
this point would abate essentially from both the in- 
terest and the usefulness of the study. 
The study of Zoology has as yet been but little 
pursued, and I will present here some considerations 
which will show that it ought to have quite a promi- 
nence not only in academies, but also in our common 
schools. 
First, this study has a practical bearing upon many 
of the most valuable and extensive occupations of 
man, agriculture, horticulture, etc. Many animals 
share with man the fruits of the earth, and therefore 
it is important for him to know how far and in what 
ways to prevent their undue increase. Then, again, 
some animals live on those which are destructive to 
the fruits raised by man, and so are really serviceable 
rather than injurious to him. How many mistakes 
have been made for want of proper observation of the 
habits of such animals! Many a bird, for example, 
