EXPLANATION of the PLATES, 



FRONTISPIECE. 



PLATE FIRST. 



THE Frontirpiece reprefents a folitude in the moun- 

 tains of the Ifland of Samos. Ar attempt has been 

 made, notwithftanding the fmallnefs of the field, to intro- 

 duce, and to difplay, fome elementary harmonies, peculiar 

 to iflands and to lofty mountains. Clouds of fand, formed 

 by the winds on the fhores of the Ifland, and of water, 

 pumped up by the Sun from the bofom of the Sea, are 

 wafted toward the fummits of the mountains, which arreft 

 them by their foflil and hydraulic attrailions. 



In the fore-ground of the landfcape are prefented fome 

 of the trees which thrive in cold and humid Latitudes, 

 among others, the fir-tree and the birch. Thefe two fpe- 

 cies of tree, which, in fuch fituations, are almoft always 

 found in company, exhibit different contrails in their co- 

 lours, their forms, their port, and in the animals v.hich 

 they nourifh. The fir raifes into the air his tall pyramid, 

 clothed with leaves ftiff, filiform, and of a dark verdure : 

 and the birch oppofes to thefe a pyramidical form inverted, 

 with leaves moveable, roundifh, and of a light-green 

 colour. 



The 



