8vo. vi, [2], 166pp, [2]. With a half-title, seven engraved plates, and a final leaf of publisher's advertisements. Contemporary (original?) navy roan-backed blue paper boards, lettered in gilt. Rubbed and marked, loss to head of spine. Occasional light spotting, plates foxed. Inked ownership inscription of 'D. Coleridge / Helleston' to head of titlepage.

The first edition, 'Published under the direction of the Committee of General Literature and Education, appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge', a collection of 13 short stories on natural history for children intended to direct 'the infant mind to seek for those proofs of Divine wisdom, power, and goodness in the formation and habits of these various beings, which, at a mature age, will assuredly reward the study of the naturalist'.

Derwent Coleridge (1800-1883), writer, master of Helleston grammar school, Cornwall, second son of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834).

COPAC records copies at three locations (BL, St. Andrews, and V&A); OCLC adds one further (Canberra).