The Cambridge Natural History, Vol. 10 (of 10)

A scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This volume focuses on the class Mammalia, providing a comprehensive study of mammals, covering both living and extinct species. The book is part of a larger series that aims to detail various aspects of natural history, and it serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the field of biology. The opening of this work presents a preface where Beddard addresses the challenges of compacting an enormous amount of information within limited pages, following two previous authors on the subject. He discusses the structure and classification of mammals, providing a glimpse of the complexity and diversity of the group. Beddard emphasizes the uniqueness of mammals characterized by certain physical traits, such as the presence of mammary glands, while also touching upon evolutionary aspects and the historical context of mammalian studies. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the diverse orders of mammals and their evolutionary significance throughout the subsequent chapters.