xviii I'REFACE. 



To Alexander MacLeay, Esq. they are under particular obli- 

 gations for the warm interest he has all along taken in the work, 

 the judicious advice he has on many occasions given, the free ac- 

 cess in which he has indulged the authors to his unrivalled cabinet 

 and well-stored library, and the numerous other attentions and 

 accommodations by which he has materially assisted them in its 

 progress. 



To the other friends who have kindly aided them in this under- 

 taking in any way, they beg here to ofifer their best thanks. 



