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