PREFACE 
Vll 
enterprise that promotes inquiry into the structure and conditions of existence 
of the breathing myriads around us. 
The Publishers have, I think, very wisely determined to devote a rather large 
proportion of the six volumes of The Royal Natural History to the Mammalian 
class. Mammals, as of all the animal kingdom approaching man most nearly 
in structure, are naturally of the greatest interest to him; they are, moreover, in 
most cases, the first objects likely to attract notice in a strange country, though on 
this point it must be admitted that in some parts of the world Birds run them 
hard. It can, however, be no matter of complaint on the part of the public in 
general if two volumes and a half of The Royal Natural History are devoted to 
Mammals. 
Finally, I may remark that it is now more than ten years ago since the last 
general work of Natural History of this character was published in this country. 
Science moves fast nowadays, and during the past ten years numerous and 
remarkable discoveries have been made in every branch of zoology. These require 
to be annexed and incorporated in a new work. Knowing the energetic character 
of the Editor, how ably he is supported in his task, and how well acquainted he 
is with what is going on in every part of the zoological world, I have little 
doubt that The Royal Natural History will be quite up to the present level of 
information in every branch of this wide subject, and will form a Reference Work 
of the highest value. 
P. L. SCLATER. 
3 Hanover Square, London, W. 
