vi PREFACE. 



The difFerence between the flile of Spallan- 

 zani and Bonnet is inconceivable. In general, 

 that of the former is natural and perfpicuous : 

 the meaning is eafily comprehended, for it is in 

 a manner analyfed. Bonnet, on the other hand, 

 is commonly prolix, and very often obfcurc ; and 

 it is fometimes with extreme difficulty that his 

 real fentiments can be difcovered. Several of 

 his writings feem never to have undergone cor- 

 rection ; and a literal tranflation, even abridging 

 the innumerable tautologies and redundancies, 

 founds uncouth in Engliih. Notwithflanding thefc 

 imperfeftions, he is unqueftionably a great philo- 

 fopher ; he has profoundly invefligated naturCj 

 and his authenticity is unchallenged. 



Although Spallanzani was reputed the firf^ 

 phyfiologift of the age in which he lived, in one 

 reiped: he was certainly moft unfortunate. The 

 truth of bis experiments was difputed ; nay, his 

 veracity itfelf was called in queftion. Nor wa3 

 this done by the ignorant, weak, or malignant, 

 who are ufually the firft to labour for the dif- 

 covery of error, but by philofophers of eftablifh- 

 ed credit, learned and liberal. Not only has the 

 author's own defence elucidated any doubt that 

 attended his principles, but the lateft experiments 

 on the fame abflrufe and difficult fubjedts have 



tended 



