Xliv PRELIMINARY SKETCH OF THE 



history of the animals of this country is ex- 

 ceedingly meritorious for the times in which it 

 was written ; Marsham, Russel, Sloane, White, 

 $'c. Of these, and many more distinguished 

 men, who have directly or indirectly contri- 

 buted to the advancement of Zoology, England 

 may be proud to boast. 



Still it must be confessed (and it is with 

 shame and regret we feel obliged to confess 

 it,) that the science has not met with that de- 

 gree of encouragement among us, which it 

 ought to have done. We have always pos- 

 sessed men of the first-rate scientific abilities ; 

 but it is not reasonable to expect that such men 

 will devote their time and attention to a study 

 that brings no profit, and but little present re- 

 putation. 



We do not say that this is precisely the 

 case at present ; on the contrary, we hope and 

 trust that a spirit of inquiry into animated na- 

 ture, has been thoroughly awakened among us, 

 and that we shall soon tread as closely on the 

 heels of our continental neighbours, in this 

 particular department of science, as we out- 

 strip them in some others. But this hope, 

 we still fear, will be vain, until the liberal 

 spirit of our government be directed into 

 this peculiar channel ; until its sanction be 



