^xii PREFACE. 



had learned things by other names, and 

 could not eafily attain the new ones, muft 

 have ftrong prejudices arife on this occaiion. 

 This objection being perfonal i fhall not 

 coniider it any farther, but readily allow 

 that great indulgence is due to fuch • 

 people, and that their fate is to be pitied 

 for coming into the world too foon to be 

 enlightened farther on fubjedls, that per- 

 haps had employed the greateft part of 

 their life. But there are prejudices of 

 another fort which i cannot omit to con- 

 fider more fully on this occafion. 



In order to this it muft be premifed, 

 that the ufe and intent of a claffical fyftem 

 in any part of natural hiftory, is not to 

 range things according to their natural con- 

 nedions in regard to their outward afpedls, 

 or effential qualities, or their medicinal or 

 ceconomical properties, but to range them 

 in fuch a manner that upon a plant, mi- 

 neral or animal being fhewn to a natu- 

 ralift he may certainly, upon a due infpec- 

 tion of the objedl, give its true name 

 according to fome fyftem. He who goes 



ferthe;: 



