This is a collection of amusing and touching anecdotes of habits and instincts of animals, including monkeys, bats, moles, hedgehogs, bears, badgers, weasels, otters, dogs, wolves, foxes, hyaenas, lions, tigers, leopards, cats, squirrels, rats, mice, elephants, hippopotamus, hogs, rhinoceroses, horses, camels, llamas, deer, Giraffes, antelopes, goats, sheep, and oxen.

"To the pleasing task of enlightening those, who, shut up in close cities, have no opportunity of observing for themselves, and to the still higher enjoyment of directing young minds to an elevating pursuit, the naturalist adds a gratification even better than all, by making known the hidden wonders of nature; and leaving to those who delight in argument, the ever unsolved question of where instinct ends and reason begins, he sets forth the love of the great Creator towards all His creatures, and the ways He takes to show His wisdom."