, 
vl PREFACE. 
Theintimacy that I then formed with M. Dufresne, 
one of the best naturalists in Europe, and, situated as 
he was at the head of the laboratory of preservation, 
afforded me ample opportunity of inspecting and be- 
coming acquainted with all the different processes 
employed in the preservation of animals. This I was 
the more anxious to acquire, that I might be of use to 
our own Museum, which had, by this magnificent 
purchase, been increased by an addition of sateen 
hundred Birds, twelve thousand Insects, two thousand 
six hundred species of Shells, amounting to upwards 
of five thousand individuals. There were besides up- 
wards of éwo thousand Fossils, and a beautiful col- 
lection of upwards of eight hundred eggs, accurately 
named, with numerous other things, such as Quadru- 
peds, Corals, Echini, &c. 
In the following treatise, it has been my object to 
attend more to rendering the meaning clear, than to 
elegance of language; and, besides, to get the work 
up ina style at once creditable and moderate in price, 
so that it might be generally useful. At the same 
time, I have preferred avowing myself the author, 
to publishing the work anonymously, being firmly 
of opinion, that no man should publish on a subject 
which he is ashamed to acknowledge. 
Naturalists and travellers are frequently greatly 
at a loss, on going abroad, to know what instruments 
are necessary to be carried along with them, so that. 
they may be effectually prepared for every kind of 
research ; and, as they are also at a loss to know 
who are the best makers of these, I have pointed out 
Mr. Alexander Adie of Edinburgh, a gentleman long 
distinguished for the excellence of his instruments, 
