iv INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. 
proposed to myself at the commencement. That many errors may have escaped 
me, I think extremely probable ; such are, in fact, inseparable from the nature 
of the task. I can only hope that what has been done may be received in a 
proper spirit, not only by those who appear to think that “nobis” and “ mihi” 
are the chief end and aim of natural science, but by the genuine student of 
nature. 
The system of Cuvier has been adopted as the basis of classification, with 
such modifications as appeared to me necessary to render it more natural, and 
to correspond with my general plan. For the chief of these modifications, I 
am indebted to the excellent Manual of Sander Rang. My researches among 
the many volumes on this subject, both American and foreign, have been 
numerous; but it is chiefly to the labors of my own countrymen that I have 
been indebted for the following pages. 
Syosset, QurENs County. 
February 1, 1844. 
