X)V 
PREFACE. 
and perseverance, which some of us would 
do well to study. In short, the great book 
of Nature will always afford us both amuse- 
ment and instruction, if we will but take 
the trouble to peruse it. Some of the sub- 
jects indeed will be less interesting than 
others ; some will seem to be insignificant ; 
and millions will be found in the waters 
that elude our search without the assistance 
of a microscope : yet all these, however 
trifling they may appear, were most as- 
suredly created for some good purpose, and 
to answer some particular end. 
With respect to the Work which we have 
now ventured to lay before the public, it 
consists of a selection of those objects in 
natural history which appeared to us best 
calculated to excite the attention of those 
who have any relish for this rational pur- 
suit, and most likely to aftord amusement 
to the many who care but little about the 
study. 
We have not scrupled to adorn our bird 
with borrowed plumes, and will ingenuously 
