8 INTRODUCTION. 
The drawings of birds and flowers for this and all succecd- 
ing volumes, will be by her; and I rest most proud and happy 
with such a “help-mete” in my labors! 
In presenting this first volume to the Public, I have felt 
a proper diffidence in regard to the whole subject of scientific 
classification, and have therefore solicited and fortunately ob- 
tained aid in the highest legitimate quarter known amongst us. 
Mr. John Cassin, the Secretary of the Academy of Natural 
Sciences in Philadelphia, has consented to edit, with me, the 
future volumes of the series ; so that my subscribers and readers 
may not only rely upon the scientific accuracy of the work 
through his learned supervision of this department, but may 
as well look for a ripe, quaint and scholastic vein of humor, 
such as has seldom been brought to bear upon such themes, 
and which will form a pleasing contrast with my own head- 
long methods. I thus hope to offer a work which shall be 
complete in itself, as a Salmagundi of the facts, thoughts 
and suggestions of the natural world, with enough of technical 
accuracy to constitute it a reliable authority to the Student 
of Science, and a sufficiency of genial reverence, gaiety and 
kindliness, to render it always a safe, welcome and valued 
companion of the fireside, into the chaste penetralia of which I 
so much desire to win my way. We should not be permitted to 
rest unconscious of the sacred serenities of Nature; all the har- 
monies rest therein and they bring peace with them! Though 
men may grow callous and dumb in listening forever to the 
clink of dollars, shall not the sense of their fair children be 
attuned to voices m@e soft, more mellowed, more divine! 
In conclusion, I would remark, that for my wood-cuts I 
am indebted to Mr. Joseph T. Brightly, who has not only 
performed his part as an engraver ably, but has with an 
unexpected skill, thrown himself into the department of 
design, and furnished me with the rough draughts of many 
of my finest wood-cuts. To Mr. A. Woodside, artist of this 
city, I'am also much indebted for a number of highly artistie 
drawings on wood. 
