ent local in character, and addressed mainly urists of the country, a class to whom a and an avoidance of abstruse speculations table, it is not expected that the work will t the proficient in science.

list, nevertheless, may not be wholly dise perusal of these pages, and perchance e information as to the geographical dise Fauna and Flora of our country, their nd characteristics, and extend his knowquaintance with our palæontology.

will be indebted, in part, to those gentlekindly lent me their aid in some of these The name of Agassiz stamps with authenLogue of southwestern fishes that has been aird, of the Smithsonian Institution, verifies r reptiles; and Mr. Conrad has found in the means of establishing forty new species Is-no inconsiderable contribution to mine

reader may find something to interest him story of our State, as well as in the progriculture, and in the cultivation and prer important staple, which, beyond the States, has been little understood.

er, to the favor and indulgence of my own for whose information and benefit it was d, that I commend the work.

h their approval, my gratification will be

complete, should their knowledge Of the mechan

necessary to spe needs no commer Rosenthal exhibi

gress of this art i style of illustrati has not yet been

complete, should my labors contribute in any degree to their knowledge or prosperity.

Of the mechanical execution of the work, it is scarcely necessary to speak. The neat typography of Collins needs no commendation; and the chromo-lithographs of Rosenthal exhibit in a most creditable manner the progress of this art in our country, and give examples of a style of illustration for works of this character, which has not yet been surpassed.