PREFACE. 



As a painter, Mr. Wolf is highly-esteemed amongst artists, but his works 

 are seldom exhibited, as they generally pass directly from his studio into the hands 

 of the best judges and largest collectors in the kingdom. Upon this account he 

 is, as a painter, not so generally known as many artists of less eminence ; but the 

 solidity of the position which he has attained is sufficiently evidenced by the eagerness 

 with which his pictures are secured for the most princely collections in the country, 

 and his success is the more remarkable since he owes nothing to notoriety. 



When I first had the pleasure of looking over Mr. Wolf's portfolios, I was 

 as much astonished and delighted by the originality of his conceptions, as by the 

 profound knowledge which was displayed in his studies of almost every branch of 

 animal life ; and but a short time elapsed before I endeavoured to induce him to 

 execute a series of designs which should give some idea of the wealth of his stores 

 and of the range of his pencil. At first he could not be persuaded to undertake 

 the task, from fear that the minuteness of the work would prove injurious to his 

 sight ; but eventually his reluctance was overcome, and he consented to make the 

 series of designs which is presented in this volume. Various engagements and 

 occupations have hindered the progress of the engravings, and from this reason 

 nearly seven years have elapsed since the last of the drawings was placed in my 

 hands. 



Mr. Daniel G. Elliot, the author of the accompanying, descriptive letter- 

 press, is a citizen of the United States, and is well-known amongst naturalists from 

 his superb Monographs of the Pheasants and of the Birds of Paradise, and by 

 other works. A traveller of wide experience, he has enjoyed excellent opportunities 

 for studying Wild Animals in their haunts. Although well capable of treating his 

 subjects in a far more exhaustive manner, or from a scientific point of view, he 

 has borne in mind that the book is intended for the General Public, and not for 

 a class, and has regulated his pen accordingly. 



This volume contains the last series of illustrations which will be drawn by 

 Mr. Wolf either upon wood or upon stone, and on this account has an especial 

 claim to the attention of all those who are interested in Natural History. 



EDWARD WHYMPER. 



