The immensity of the labor involved in preparing such a work did not become apparent until once seriously commenced, and French, German, Greek and Latin dictionaries were called into requisition in order that every scientific word and classification might be carefully explained. The best authorities among ancient and modern naturalists have been consulted; Goldsmith, Jones, Figuier and Brehm have been quoted, and other English, French and German works, studied and compared. And although this has been delayed, because of the tedious work required, and other books for young people, by the same author have been allowed to precede it, this is finished in time to meet the demands of the small son of her household, who has reached the age so aptly described by the well-worn phrase, “An animated interrogation point”—especially in the direction of Natural History. And filling as it does, the demands of one, may it meet the desires of the many mothers of inquiring sons and daughters, and the young people who are eager for such a work, that is accurate, readable and interesting, and fully up to the present condition of modern science. [Illustration: A FAMILY OF TIGERS.] CONTENTS. PREFACE 5 OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS 13 QUADRUMANA—FOUR-HANDED MAMMALS. THE TAILLESS APES 17 Gorilla, Orang Outang, Chimpanzee. THE APE MONKEYS 23 Baboons, Mandrills, Macaques, Wanderoo, Barbary Ape, Bonnet Monkey. THE AMERICAN MONKEYS 27 The Howlers, The Spider Monkeys, The Weepers. THE LEMURS 31 The Fox-Headed Monkeys. CARNIVORA—FLESH-EATING QUADRUPEDS. PLANTIGRADE CARNIVORA—THE BEAR FAMILY. 33 The Brown or Alpine Bear, The Collared Bear, The American Bear, The Grizzly Bear, The White or Polar Bear, The Sloth Bear. DIGITIGRADE CARNIVORA—THE HYENA FAMILY. 42 Spotted Hyena, Striped Hyena, Hunting Hyena. THE CAT FAMILY 44 Wild Cat, Domestic Cats, Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Panther, Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Lynx, Caracal, Ounce, Serval, Cheetah. THE DOG FAMILY 63 Sporting Dogs, Running Dogs, Pointers, Setters, Newfoundland Dog, Esquimau Dog, Mastiffs, Spaniels, Wild Dogs, Hyena Dog, Wolf, Jackal, Fox. THE WEASEL FAMILY 75 Ermine, Marten, Otter. THE CIVET FAMILY 80 African Civet, Indian Civet, Mangousts, Genet.