INTRODUCTION. 



The system proposed in the following lists has been hurriedly pre- 

 pared, and is necessarily very incomplete ; it is intended merely as a 

 provisional classification, to be used in collecting the materials for the 

 exhibition, and in their preliminary arrangement. 



The first group, Section A, is an index to the whole series ; it will 

 include all North American animals which are directly beneficial or 

 injurious to man. Although every species, down to the very least, ex- 

 ercises some influence upon human well-being, it seems scarcely practi- 

 cable to attempt the exhibition of those which affect it only indirectly. 

 Those species are considered useful which supply food, clothing, shelter, 

 implements, materials, and amusement; those injurious which endanger 

 the life or personal comfort of man, or destroy those animals and plants 

 ■which are of direct benefit to him. In the enumeration of animals, 

 the names of the orders are given, followed in parenthesis by the best- 

 known names of the more important species included, and a brief note 

 on their principal uses. This enumeration, being simply of convenience, 

 makes no claim to zoological precision. 



Section B embraces all instruments and methods employed by the 

 hunters, trappers, and fishermen of North America, aboriginal and 

 civilized. Not only those which are directly employed in destruction 

 or capture are included, but the means made use of in pursuing or 

 attracting the animals and fishes, and the personal equipment of the 

 pursuer. The collection will be a monograph of all matters relating to 

 the chase and the fisheries of the country. In preparing the classifica- 

 tion here submitted, the principles of zoological classification have been 

 followed as closely as possible; each distinct form has been considered 

 a species ; and the specific forms have been grouped into genera, families, 

 and orders according to the general balance of their affinities. Form 

 and manner of use have not been without weight, but superficial resem- 

 blance has been set aside, and the idea given the first importance. 

 Thus, barbed spears and harpoons have been placed with the " hooked 

 instruments," while plain spears and lances are grouped with the 

 knives and clubs. In studying the place of the fire-arms and bows and 

 arrows, the missile itself has been regarded as more important than the 



