uch as materials have crowded upon me beyond all calculation;
and, although a large portion has been rejected, the anecdotes related
go no farther than the Mammalia, while almost all animals were to have
been included.
* * * * *
With regard to the remaining orders--if the present work should meet
with a favourable reception, I shall hope next year to present the
public with touching and amusing proofs of the sagacity and dispositions
of birds, and of "hair-breadth scapes" from reptiles, etc., some of
which will, like those in the present volume, be carefully selected from
the works of travellers, from the resources of friends, and from my own
experience.
* * * * *
To the pleasing task of enlightening those, who, shut up in close
cities, have no opportunity of observing for themselves, and to the
still higher enjoyment of directing young minds to an elevating pursuit,
the naturalist adds a gratification even better than all, by making
known the hidden wonders of nature; and leaving to those who delight in
argument, the ever unsolved question of where instinct ends and reason
begins, he sets forth the love of the great Creator towards all His
creatures, and the ways He takes to show His wisdom.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
MONKEYS, ETC. 1
BATS 33
MOLES 41
HEDGEHOGS 47
BEARS 51
BADGERS 66
WEASELS 73
OTTERS 78
DOGS 83
WOLVES 162
FOXES 174
HYAENAS 180
LIONS 186
TIGERS 213
LEOPARDS, PANTHERS, ETC. 224
CATS 237
SQUIRRELS 250
RATS
|