Xll TRANSLATORS PREFACE. 



in the scientific literature of the country, and are 

 removing a want which long existed. Who has not- 

 felt the desire to possess some essay upon general 

 embryology? And who has not found considerable 

 difficulty in embracing a knowledge of the various 

 modes of development presented by the members of 

 the animal world ? It is a book addressed not only 

 to the working naturalist, but the amateur also, and 

 whilst it will be found to possess the most copious 

 references to the works of scientific writers on the 

 subject of embryo-life, it is written in a style so 

 unmarked by technicality as to render the reading of 

 it a matter of comparative ease. Whether we have 

 succeeded in rendering it as intelligible in its Anglo- 

 Saxon as in its Gallic garb, remains to be seen ; but 

 that our efforts have at all events received both 

 the sanction and assistance of the distinguished 

 author, the following letter will be adequate testi- 

 mony : — 



Paris, 30 Mai, 1864. 

 Mon cher Monsieur, 



Je viens de recevoir et de lire vos dernieres 

 epreuves. Mille remerciments pour la peine qu'a du 

 vous donner cette traduction. Elle est aussi exacte 

 que je pouvais le desirer, et en tant que ma con- 

 naissance, malheureusement imparfaite, de la langue 



