PREFACE.

AMONGST the beneficial improve :rents of modern times, few deserve higher estimation, than the increased attention to the education of children of all ranks; which is greatly facilitated by the number and variety of judicious books that have been written for their jnstruction and amusement. Nonsense has given way to reason; and useful knowledge, under an agreeaV1e form, has usurped the place of the Histories of Tom Thumb, and Woglog the Giant. IN o branch of science seems better adapted to this important purpose, than natural history

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