ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY 
OF THE 
ANIMAL IINCtDOM. 
INTRODUCTION: THE UNIYERSALITY OF AIIMAL LIFE. 
In whatever direction we turn our eyes, we everywhere meet the varied forms of animal life. 
Earth, air, water, are all alike occupied by multitudes of living creatures, each fitted especially for 
the habitation assigned to it by nature. Every wood or meadow — nay, every tree or shrub, or tuft 
of grass — has its inhabitants ; even beneath the surface of the ground, numbers of animals may be 
found fulfilling the purposes for which their species were called into existence. Myriads of birds dash 
through the air, supported on their feathered pinions, or solicit our attention by the charming song 
which they pour forth from their resting-places ; while swarms of insects, with still lighter wings, 
dispute with them the empire of the air. The waters, whether salt or fresh, are also filled with 
hving organisms ; fishes of many forms and varied colors, and creatures of yet more strange appear- 
ance, swim silently through their depths, and their shores are covered with a profusion of polypes, 
sponges, starfishes, and other animals. 
" The sounds and seas, each creek and bay, 
With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals 
Of fish that with their fins and shining scales 
Glide i;nder the green wave, in sculls that oft 
Bank the mid sea : part single, or with mate, 
Graze the sea-weed their pasture, and through groves 
0 f coral stray ; or sporting with quick glance, 
Show to the sun their waved coats dropped with gold ; 
Vol. L— 1 
