vi PREFACE. 



The number of the figures introduced in the present volume 

 is considerably more than that of the preceding ; and the manner 

 in which they have been executed, will, I trust, convince the patrons 

 of this work, that there exists no disposition in the author to fall 

 off from the original elegance of his publication. On the contrary, 

 he has still further improvements in view; which, when effected, 

 will, he humbly hopes, with all due deference to the judgment of 

 the public, render it not only a standard work on this branch of 

 our natural history ; but give it a just claim to rank in elegance, 

 as well as fidelity and copiousness of description, with those of any 

 other country. 



Hitherto the whole materials and mechanical parts of this 

 publication have been the production of the United States, except 

 the colors, As these form so important an article in a work of 

 this kind, the most particular attention has been paid to their 

 real, and not merely specious, good qualities ; but it is not without 

 regret and mortification he is obliged to confess, that for these he 

 has been principally indebted to Europe. The present unexam- 

 pled spirit, however, for new and valuable manufactures, which are 

 almost every day rising around us; and the exertions of other in- 

 telligent and truly patriotic individuals, in the divine science of 

 Chemistry, give the most encouraging hopes, that a short time will 

 render him completely independent of all foreign aid; and enable 

 him to exhibit the native hues of his subjects in colors of our own, 

 equal in brilliancy, durability and effect to any others. In the pre- 

 sent volume some beautiful native ochres have been introduced; 

 and one of the richest yellows is from the laboratory of Messrs, 



