NATURAL HISTORY. 
No branch of human learning is more intimately con- 
nected with the other sciences, than that of Natural His- 
tory, and none presents so inexhaustible a fund of inquiry 
and amusement. Placed as we are, in the midst of the mul- 
tiplied productions of nature, it is almost impossible even 
for the most unobservant, to avoid becoming more or less 
familiar with the manners of animals, the economy of ve- 
getables, and the general phenomena of the earth. From 
an acquaintance with these, manifold advantages have alrea- 
dy accrued to man, and it is but reasonable to suppose that 
a more intimate knowledge of them, will greatly increase 
the comfort and enjoyment of the whole human race. The 
agriculturist is obliged to acquaint himself, with the habits 
and characters of the domesticated animals he employs, 
with the qualities of the soil he cultivates, with the nature 
of the grain he raises, and with the effects of different me- 
teorogical changes. Even the fine arts, though generally 
considered as peculiarly appertaining to the domain of the 
imagination, greatly depend upon a knowledge of Natural 
History. A science, which when taken in its full extent, 
is so intimately connected with all our pursuits and plea- 
sures, forming in fact the basis of the other sciences, and 
far more useful than any for the ordinary purposes of life, 
can never be too generally or too industriously cultivated. 
Supposing that the study of animated nature is far more 
engaging to the generality of readers, and leaving the exa- 
mination of plants and minerals, to the botanist and geologist; 
we shall endeavour in the succeeding sketches of our native 
animals, to present such only, as from their holding a more 
eminent rank among the brute creation, or from their being 
peculiarly serviceable or injurious to man, are the most 
worthy of notice, and most likely to interest the observer. 
In attempting this, we shall not proceed in any regular 
or systematic order, or adhere to any system of classifica- 
tion in the arrangement of the subjects. But at the same 
time, the most sedulous attention will be paid to their syno- 
nomy and scientific description, and we shall strive to ex- 
plain their characters, with as much simplicity, elegance of 
expression, and certainty of information, as we can possi- 
bly attain. We, however, are far from considering, that 
the study of nature consists in the acquirement of words, 
the retention of names, or even the accurate description of 
species ; under the present elevated views of science, these 
are esteemed but subsidiary steps. A prejudiced adherence 
to mere nomenclature, as is forcibly observed by a late dis- 
tinguished writer, “shuts the door to all further improve- 
ment, and has impressed naturalists with an idea, that the 
highest object to be obtained, is to label the contents of a 
museum, and to arrange stuffed animals like quaint patterns 
in glass cases.” We would not wish it to be understood, 
however, that we consider nomenclature and scientific ar- 
rangement as useless or beneath the notice of a philosophic 
naturalist; far from it; experience has amply demonstrated 
that a neglect of these, must necessarily involve the sci- 
ences in an almost inextricable confusion, and retard, in- 
stead of facilitating the acquisition of knowledge. 
We do not aim at originality, but shall freely avail our- 
selves of the labours of our predecessors, adding however 
such new and interesting matter as we may become pos- 
