The plan of this work is so fully explained in the Introductory Chapter that but little preface is needed. Its main object is to acquaint young people with the structure and habits of the lower forms of life; and to do this in a more systematic way than is usual in ordinary works on Natural History, and more simply than in textbooks on Zoology.

For this reason I have adopted the title "Life and Her Children," to express the family bond united all living things, as we use the term "Nature and her Works," to embrace all organic and inorganic phenomena; and I have been more careful to sketch in bold outline the leading features of each division, than to dwell upon the minor differences by which it is separated into groups.

I have made use of British examples in illustration wherever it was possible, and small specimens of most of the marine animals figured may be found upon our coasts at low tide.

In conclusion, I wish to express my great obligation to Mr. R. Garnett of the British Museum, for his most kind assistance in finding works of reference on the special subjects; and to many men of science, especially Mr. Lowne, F.R.C.S., and Mr. Haddon, Demonstrator of Comparative Anatomy at Cambridge, for their valuable criticisms on the proof-sheets.

The illustrations of the marine animals have been drawn by Dr. Wild, artist of the "Challenger" Expedition, and those of the insects by Mr. Edwin Wilson, to both of whom my thanks are due for the care and assiduity with which they have carried out my instructions.

From the Preface, Arabella B. Buckley, 1880