No. 50.] 
17 
I have conceived that it w^ould add to the value of the Report, to an- 
nex short notices of all the animals described as inhabiting the United 
States, v\^ith reference to the source from v^^hence they are derived. 
Such notices, collected from pamphlets, magazines, revievirs and nevi^s- 
papers, all difficult of access, have greatly enhanced my labors ; but it 
is hoped that they w^ill be useful in abridging the researches of future 
naturahsts. 
In the general arrangement and distribution of animals, I have taken 
as the groundwork of my classification the Regne Animal of Cuvier, 
v^^ith such modifications as have been introduced by other naturahsts. 
In the description of species, I have endeavored, as far as possible, to 
observe uniformity ; and the measurements are all reduced to inches 
and tenths corresponding to EngHsh measure. Where a species has 
been described by a naturalist of authority, I have not hesitated to copy 
his description, w^ith such variations as may be necessary to produce 
uniformity. The species itself is then carefully compared with the 
description ; and such alterations, corrections or additions as have ap- 
peared requisite, have been incorporated in the detailed account. A 
notice of the habits, geographic range, and their utility or hurtfulness to 
man, closes the description. 
In this Class, I have followed almost exclusively the distribution 
proposed by Cuvier. The first Order, Quadrumana, is totally wanting 
in the United States ; no monkey, according to Lichtenstein, having 
been observed beyond the twenty-ninth degree of north latitude. 
The first groupe is very natural and exceedingly numerous, not less 
than one hundred and fifty species having been enumerated in various 
parts of the globe. But nine species have as yet been detected within 
the limits of the United States, and five have been described as residents 
of this State. 
CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 
Order Carnivora. 
Family Vespe7^tilionid6B. 
*Vespertilio noveboracensis. 
*V. pruinosus. 
*V. subulatus. 
*Vespertiho carolinensis. 
*V. noctivagans. 
* The asterisks indicate those species which have been figured for this Report. 
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