THE FIELD VOLE 
PREFACE 
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r jlHERE appears to be no limit to the demand for popular works on 
Natural History in these days, especially if they be accompanied by well- 
executed Illustrations. There can be little doubt, therefore, that The Royal 
Natural History will meet with a favourable reception, and, so far as I am 
acquainted with it, I have great confidence in commending it to my brother 
naturalists. 
The text has been planned in such a way as to render it available not only 
for general information about the objects described in it, but also as a guide 
to their classification; and on such lines it will indeed be of priceless value to the 
travelling naturalist and to the resident in foreign countries. Applications for 
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