PREFACE. 
I HE almost unexampled encouragement 
which this work has, in it's origin, received 
from the public, alxords a pleasing presage 
that, with the continuance of those unremitted 
attentions which have already been bestowed 
by the editors, it may long continue to expe- 
rience the same liberal support, and at length 
become a perfeft Museum of Natural Curiosi- 
ties. 
In this small volume, alone, we may ven- 
ture to assert, the most intelligent naturalist 
will discover somewhat that is new, ^nd not 
altogether unworthy of his attention ; w^hile, 
to readers in general, it cannot fail to afford a 
very considerable fund of information and en- 
tenainment. 
If some of our descriptions should appear 
short, to those who are unapprised of the fre- 
quent paucity of materials, wq are persuaded 
that the best, judges will still oftener wonder 
Iiow we have been enabled to give so much. 
As 
