INTRODUCTION. _ XXXV 
enable me to record any new facts ; neither had I the means of cor- 
gectly ascertaining the species. 
- TI have, in the text, described the different species of animals, from 
nature, as correctly as I could; and I have chosen rather to subject 
myself to the charge of proxility than to become obscure by aiming at 
too great conciseness, because, in the course of my researches, I have 
felt the difficulty of ascertaining the species, from the brief characters 
assigned to them by the old writers. I have for the same reason in 
many instances repeated some of the generic characters in the account 
of a species, particularly in cases where any doubt respecting the genus 
or sub-division of the genus existed. In the account of the manners 
of the animals, I have borrowed freely from preceding writers; and 
from none more frequently or more copiously than from Captain Lyons, 
whose “Private Journal” contains a great fund of information respect- 
ing the northern animals. I wish it to be understood, however, that 
in all cases, unless where a doubt is actually expressed, or where I state 
that I have had no opportunity of personal observation, the remarks I 
have quoted are sanctioned by the information I collected on the spot. 
The nomenclature of colours, made use of in the description, is a 
modification of Werner's, contained in Mr. Syme’s useful little work*. 
Before closing this introductory chapter, I have to discharge the 
agreeable duty of expressing my obligations to many gentlemen who 
have fostered the progress of the work. To the Right Honourable 
Lord Viscount Goderich my gratitude is especially due. To _ his 
attachment to the sciences I am indebted for that patronage and aid, 
which his high situation in his Majesty’s Government enabled him to 
bestow, and without which this work could not have appeared. To 
the Right Honourable Thomas Frankland Lewis, also, I am under great 
obligations for the interest he has shewn in the advancement of the 
work, and for his kindness in forwarding my views. My gratitude is 
not less owing to the present Treasury Board, for the readiness with 
which they made the grant of money available; and to the late and 
* Werner's Nomenclature of Colours, with Additions. By Patrick Symz, Flower Painter. 
Edinburgh, 1821. 
eZ 
