PREFACE. 



In jn-Gseiitiiig to the xsublic tlie following series of essays, 

 wliieh have already appeared in serial form, the Anthor 

 has hut few words t(.) say In' way of preface. 



It will l_>e seen I'roni the chapters themselves that the 

 greater portion of the work relates to Zoology — and 

 especially its pateoutological branch — while only a small 

 section is devoted to Geology jjroper. 



While some of the zoological chapters treat of the 

 natural history of pai-ticular groups or species of 

 animals, others are more especially devoted to some of 

 those problems connected with the evolution, development, 

 and mutual relationships of animals which at the jiresent 

 day are attracting so much attention on the part of 

 students of the science. 



Althougli necessarily somewhat technical in 2>laces, the 

 Author h(j]'ies that the popular style, which lie has 

 'endea%'our(_'d t(j jireserve throughout the work, will render 

 it acceptal>le to those lovers of Nature who are too often 

 rejielled Ijv the numljer (if hard words they meet with in 

 the books ja-ofessedly written for their edification. 



Harpendex, 



J/«rrf, 1894. 



