PREFACE. Yii 
original.^ Thus Animated Nature was popularized, at least in Englisli, at once and 
forever. Even now, after the lapse of nearly a century, though science has overturned 
the systems on which these authors founded their writings, and has proved a multi- 
tude of their details to be either imperfect or fabulous, still their felicitous descriptions, 
their lively anecdotes, their fascinating narratives, continue to be published and repub- 
lished, as a never cloying feast, for generation after generation. 
'Nor has this subject been less fortunate in its scientific treatment. Not to speak of 
Linnseus, who wrote a century ago, and whose great name can never be overshadowed 
by comparison, George Guvier, the Master Mind of his age, thougli by no means neglect- 
ing the external qualities of animals, explored with a profound sagacity their internal 
structure. The result is well known — the new science of Gomparative Anatomy, that 
has waked from their sleep of ages the multitudinous races of extinct animals ; and 
furthermore, Guvier's example has led to the study of the structure of existing races as 
the very basis of Scientific Zoology. And what an array of great names has since fol- 
lowed in his track! The general effect is an expansion of the science beyond the com- 
prehension of any single mind, and hence difi'erent authors have devoted themselves 
to special branches, one to insects, nay, often to a single genus of insects ; another to 
reptiles; another to star-fishes; another to the infusoria, and so on.f Often has the 
whole life of a great man been devoted to the study of a single family, even of the lower 
forms of life ; and this, after all his studies, has been found to have depths yet unsounded. 
The amazing extent and M^onderful developments resulting from these efforts are illus- 
trated in the recent work of Professor Agassiz — two vohmies, quarto, ujpoii AmeriGcm 
Tortoises — creatures that creep beneath our feet in the brooks and puddles, many of 
them familiar to us, all objects of general indifference or contempt, and yet the whole 
furnishing an example of the most profound research, the most beautiful adaptations, the 
most wonderful revelations : a theme in the hands of its master, fruitful of the most 
sublime and inspiring trains of thought. And what has been done in respect to this 
one class of animals, has been done with more or less ability and success, in respect to 
a multitude of others. 
I^Tor is this all. Travelers in modern times are naturalists, and those especially who 
have recently explored new countries, have brought to the general stock a vast mass 
* Goldsmitli's " Animated l^ature" was not an express translation of putfon ; it was, to a great extent, original; 
still lie followed in Buffon's footsteps, and in some cases translated and in others paraphrased him. Wlien Dr. 
Johnson was informed that Goldsmith had nndertaken this work, he remarked, "He will make it entertaining as 
a Persian tale ;" and Irving, in his life of Goldsmith, says the prediction was fulfilled. 
j- As an illustration of special study in iSTatural History, we may mention the Oology of the Birds of iSTorth 
America, by Dr. T. M. Brewer, wliose name is so often mentioned by Audubon, Nuttall, &c., as having furnished' 
them with useful ornithological facts. This work, which will make a quarto volume of a thousand pages, is soon 
to appear under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. It will initiate a new branch of study in ornithology, 
as furnishing the best possible means of determining the species and geographical range of particular genera of 
birds. 
