IV 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
present publication on the Carnivora is indebted 
to the assistance of major Charles Hamilton 
Smith, not only for the use of his collection, 
made in different parts of the world, and in 
the very countries where most of the animals 
themselves are indigenous, but also for the 
communication of much interesting and useful 
information. 
If it were proper in this place to give utter- 
ance to private feeling, the author would with 
much pleasure indulge himself in the attempt, to 
express his estimation of the liberal and friendly 
treatment he has experienced from major Smith. 
The reader, however, would probably be but 
little interested in these personalities, though it 
is most just and proper that he should be in- 
formed on what authority the assertions con- 
tained in the work respectively rest; and, for 
this purpose, care has been taken to insert the 
major’s name in most cases, where it could with 
propriety be done, so that the present acknow- 
ledgment is rather intended as general, for such 
communication and assistance as could not be 
more specifically mentioned. Lest, however, 
