PREFACE. Xlll. 



Convinced as the author is that a kuow ledge of Natural 

 History is best conveyed through the alluring medium of 

 Poetry ; if his present effort be approved, it is his intention 

 to proceed (should health and opportunity permit,) in a 

 similar way with the remainder of the Animal kingdom. 

 The whole will then be arranged in the following manner : 



I. Mammalia, or the Quadrupeds, and other animals 

 which suckle their young ; characterized by a heart having 

 two ventricles and two auricles ; the blood being red and 

 warm ; viviparous. 



II. Ornithologia, (the present Work,) or the Birds ; 

 the characters of which are the same as in the first class 

 except that Birds are oviparous, covered with feathers, and 

 furnished, for the most part, with wings, so as to be able to 

 raise themselves in the air. 



III. Amphibia, which will include the Serpent, Crocodile, 

 Frog, Toad, fyc. ; in this class the heart has but one ventricle 

 and one auricle ; the blood being red but cold; inspiration and 

 expiration, in some measure, voluntary. 



IV. Ichthyologia, or the Fishes ; the heart of this class 

 has the same structure, and the blood similar qualities with 

 those of the amphibia; but Fishes are distinguished by 

 branchice, or gills, and by having no such voluntary command 

 of the lungs. 



V. Entomologia, or the Insects ; the heart has one ven- 

 tricle, but no auricle ; the blood is cold and white; this class 

 has also antennce ox feelers. 



VI. Helminthologia, or the Worms ; the characters of 

 which are the same as in class V. ; this Class has, however, 

 no antennce, but is furnished with tentacula. 



And thus become, it is hoped, useful and amusing 

 manuals of the science of Animal Natural History ; and 

 prove, besides, lhe author hopes and believes, that Poetry 

 can be rendered subservient to Nature and to Truth. 



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