THE AMERICAN NATURE SERIES 
The fortunate increase in the attention paid by the American people 
to Nature study, has led to the publication of many popular books on the 
subject, some of which are good, and some not. In the hope of doing 
something toward furnishing a series where the seeker will surely find a 
readable book of high authority, the publishers of the American Science 
Series have begun the publication of the American Nature Series. It is 
the intention that in its own way, the new series shall stand on a par with 
its famous predecessor. 
The primary object of the new series is to answer questions—those 
(outside of the domain of philosophy) which the contemplation of Nature 
is constantly arousing in the mind of the unscientific intelligent person. 
But a collateral object will be to give some intelligent notion of the 
** causes of things.” 
The books will be under the guarantee of American experts, and 
from the American point of view; and where material crowds space, pret- 
erence will be given to American facts over others of not more than equal) 
interest. 
The series will be in five divisions : 
GROUP I. CLASSIFICATION OF NATURE 
This division will consist of three sections. 
Section A. A large popular Natural History in several volumes, 
with the topics treated in due proportion, by authors of unquestioned 
authority. There is no existing Natural History which does not fall short 
in some one of these particulars. Possibly the Natural History in the 
American Nature Series may not be kept ideal regarding all of them, but 
if it is not, the fault will not be due to carelessness or apathy on the part 
of the publishers. 
The books so far arranged for in this section are: 
FISHES, by Davip Srarr Jorpan, President of the Leland Stanford Uni- 
versity. 2 Volumes. 
INSECTS, by Vernon L. Ketioae, Professor in the Leland Stanford Junior 
University. 
TREES, by N. L. Brirron, Director of the New York Botanical Garden. 
WILD MAMMALS OF NORTH AMERICA, by C. Harr Merriam, 
Chief of the United States Biological Survey. 
Section B. A shorter Natural History by the authors of Section A, 
preserving its popular character, its proportional treatment and its author- 
ity so far as that can be preserved without its fullness. 
Section C. Identification books—‘‘ How to Know,”’ brief and in 
portable shape. By the authors of the larger treatises. 
