IV PREFACE. 



taking precedence of those which make holes in wood. Burrow- 

 ing Reptiles follow next in order ; and then come the Burrow- 

 ing Invertebrates, headed hy the Crustacea. The same system is 

 followed throughout, so as to give the reader a clear and definite 

 idea of the subject. For tliis reason, a table of contents is 

 appended to the work, as well as an alphabetical index ; the 

 one to enable the reader to form a general conception of the 

 subject, and the other to enable him to find out any particular 

 creature. 



On perusing the work, the attentive reader will probably 

 discover that various animals are placed in one class when they 

 might very well be in another. The reason is, that many 

 creatures, such as the wasp, the ant, the squirrel, &c., might 

 with equal propriety find a place in several of these classes, and 

 I have therefore placed them in that class of which some pecu- 

 liarity in nest-making renders them fit illustrators. 



I must now return my thanks to the many friends who have 

 assisted me in the work, by the loan or gift of specimens, or by 

 affording valuable information. Among them I must especially 

 mention J. Gould, Esq., who kindly took an interest in the 

 ornithological portion of the work ; F. Smith, Esq., of the British 

 Museum ; and the late Chaelfs Watekton, Esq., who per- 

 mitted me the use of his museum, and gave me much interesting 

 and useful information. 



