AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



The present volume of the Thaer Library was under- 

 taken with the intention of providing agricultural 

 colleges with a condensed review of the entire 

 animal kingdom, but treating in greater detail the 

 animals harmful or helpful to agriculture. I have, 

 however, omitted all reference to the domesticated 

 farm animals, as in all such institutions these are 

 treated of, not by the zoologist, but by the lecturer on 

 stock-breeding. Although the book is not allowed to 

 exceed a certain size, I have taken great pains to 

 make it intelligible, and venture to hope that it may 

 be found suitable for the private use of the practical 

 farmer. To the farmer who wishes more exhaustive 

 information, and desires a reference-book on the animal 

 foes of agriculture, stock-breeding, horticulture, fruit- 

 tree culture, and forestry, I venture to point out my 



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