VI INTRODUCTION. 



mains, which., though now petrified and inanimate, 

 were once living organisms, abundantly supplied 

 with vitality. A thorough acquaintance with all 

 these varied branches being almost impossible, the 

 student of Nature must make a selection according 

 to his predilections or his opportunities. But while 

 occupied more intently with one subject, the others 

 need not be entirely overlooked, and particu- 

 larly when travelling facts and appearances may 

 be recorded, and specimens collected which will 

 serve to facilitate the studies of fellow-labourers in 

 the same field. 



The pursuit of Natural History, though adapted 

 more or less to almost any locality, cannot be 

 followed to more advantage, than by persons visit- 

 ing distant countries or little-explored regions. The 

 desirableness of collecting cannot be too strongly 

 impressed upon travellers, as frequently with but 

 little exertion on their part, much valuable infor- 

 mation may be gleaned. To forward such views, 

 the following work has been written, combining 

 within portable bulk sufficient instruction on these 

 diversified topics to point out to the reader what 

 he ought to observe, and how he ought to pre- 

 serve. And who can tell the result of well- 

 directed exertions? Some "strange, bright bird" 

 may, perhaps, on examination, serve to fill up an 



