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Based on the provided text, The World of Wonders is a book published in 1896 by Cassell and Company, Limited, of London, Paris, and Melbourne. Its purpose is to serve as 'A RECORD OF Things Wonderful in Nature, Science, and Art'. This aim is further emphasized by a quote on the title page from Henry Kirke White, which suggests that even the highest philosophy 'but extends the scope of wild amaze And Admiration'.

The book is structured as a collection of articles on a wide array of subjects, many of which are accompanied by one or more illustrations, as denoted by an asterisk in the index. It also contains a list of separate, full-page plates on subjects such as 'Niagara in Winter,' 'The Pyramids,' 'The Court of Lions, Alhambra,' and 'The Aurora Borealis'.

The index reveals the extensive range of topics covered, which can be grouped into several categories:
* Natural Phenomena: Articles discuss topics like 'Niagara in Winter,' 'Earthquakes,' 'Glaciers,' 'The Sahara,' 'Waterspouts,' and the 'Aurora Borealis'.
* The Animal Kingdom: The book explores 'Wonders of Ant Life,' 'Wonderful Birds,' 'Wonderful Dogs,' 'The Gorilla,' and extinct creatures such as the 'Ichthyosaurus' and 'Plesiosaurus'.
* Science and Invention: Subjects in this category include 'Alchemy,' 'The Atlantic Telegraph,' 'Calculating Machines,' 'Photography,' and the history of the 'Steam-Engine'.
* Wonders of Construction: The text details famous structures such as 'The Alhambra,' 'The Great Pyramid,' 'The Coliseum,' 'Stonehenge,' and the 'Britannia Bridge'.
* Human Feats and Historical Curiosities: This section covers a variety of human-centric topics, including 'Giants,' 'Dwarfs,' 'Feats of Muscular Exertion,' 'The Man with the Iron Mask,' 'Wonderful Highwaymen,' and 'The Bravery of Women'.
* Antiquarian Curiosities: The book also delves into historical oddities like 'Curious Customs,' the 'Bayeux Tapestry,' and the origins of 'Nursery Rhymes'.