XIV PREFACE. 



Thus far natural hiftory in general fecms 

 connedled with the polite arts ; but v/ere we 

 to defcend into all its particular ufes in com- 

 mon life, we fhould exceed the bounds of a 

 preface : it will be therefore neceffary to 

 confine our inquiries to the inveftigation of 

 a fingle part of the material world, which 

 few are fo ignorant as not to know is divided 

 into the animal, vegetable, and foffil king- 

 doms. 



Vaft would be the extent of the inquiries 

 into each of thefe; but though ambition may 

 tempt us to pervade the whole field of fci- 

 ence, yet a little experience will open to our 

 views the immenfe tra(fls of natural know- 

 lege, and we fhall find it an arduous taik 

 only to inveftigate a fingle province, fo as to 

 fpeak with precifion and certainty; without 

 which there can be no real improvements in 

 natural hiftory. 



For thefe reafons, a partial examination of 

 this fcience is all that a confiderate mind will 

 aim at, which may perhaps be m.oft naturally 

 guided to give the preference to the moft 

 exalted fubjedl of it. 



Zoology is the nobleft part of natural hif- 

 tory, as it comprehends ail fenfitive beings, 



from 



