PREFACE. 



It will scarcely be denied that benefit 

 arises to society from the laudable fashion^ 

 may I be permitted to call it, of esteeming 

 an acquaintance with the admirable stores 

 of Nature, almost an essential part of polite 

 education. Few would choose to be utterly 

 deficient in information, with regard to the 

 higher properties and systematic arrange- 

 ments of a science, the rudiments of which 

 are now imparted to children with their al- 

 phabet ; and constitute the basis of the ear- 

 liest instruction which is bestowed on the 

 youthful mind, to promote its expansion, 

 and direct its first efforts to objects worthy 

 of its choice. The mind of man cannot but 

 be ameliorated by the acquisition of wisdom 

 in all its forms ; and if we admit, as surely 

 we must, that there is not any knowledge 



