12 
INTRODUCTION. 
prosperity, let us also advance in the culture of the sciences 
and arts; and although its age as a nation, will not admit of 
as great perfection in literary or scientific attainments as those 
of the old world, let there be no obstacles to the full devel- 
opment of its prolific power ; and we may then hope that that 
day is not far distant, when the Natural History of America 
shall be as thoroughly explored as that of the mother coun- 
try, giving valuable and important scientific information to 
the inquirer after knowledge as well as to the lover of 
aquatic sports. 
