XXVI PREFACE. 



natural hiftory befides, and fomc of them 

 almoft entirely negledled before his time. I 

 fhould therefore wifli that thofe who are 

 fond of this part of knowledge would, in- 

 ftead of making frivolous objedions, try by 

 an accurate and diligent examination to rec- 

 tify his miftakes, and thereby help to per- 

 fed: a fyftem which deferves the utmoft at- 

 tention, and commendation. 



Tho* i faid above that it matters not 

 whether the fcxual fyftem be founded on 

 nature or not j yet it was natural for the 

 inventor of it to endeavor by all proper 

 means to vindicate it as likely to be fo, and 

 this he has done to the fatisfadion of the 

 moft curious obfervers ; and i will venture 

 to add, that it is natural for others likewife 

 to embrace with zeal a fyftem, that puts 

 the works of Providence in fo new and 

 beautiful a light by continuing the analggy 

 from the animate to the inanimate creation. 

 It feems as if Providence intended to lead 

 men to this difcovery by ftriking our fenfes 

 fo intenfely and fo agreeably with thofe 

 very parts which contain, the clue of this 

 fyftem. Yet fuch is the ina'.tention and 



in- 



