PREFACE. VU 



tended to prove them true, and giveii them ad- 

 ditional weight. 



In his whole writings, the author uniformly 

 teltifies the utmofl contempt of nomenclators. 

 Yet we mull allow that nothing is more ufeful 

 than correal nomenclature ; for it refts both on 

 defcription and phyfiology. This fecond quali- 

 fication, it is true, has not met with fufficient at- 

 tention ; and the extraordinary anxiety of mod 

 modern naturaiiils for claffification, from external 

 appearances, has occahoned the neglect of real 

 phyfiology ; therefore, the confequence has been 

 continual alterations. Indeed, if both are to be 

 obferved, they will fonietimes be at variance 

 with common underftanding. Such as placing 

 bats, whales, and dolphins, in the fame clafs 

 with mankind. Thefe arrangements, however 

 jufl, are at firfl repugnant to received opinions ; 

 and many will feel the fame repugnance at ad- 

 mitting medufiK, adinias, fnails, and animalcula, 

 into the- clafs of vermes. 



It has often furprifed me very much, that fo 

 few foreign works of high authority are tranflat- 

 ed into Engliih, and almoft never until a con- 

 fiderable interval after publication ; nor do I 

 think that any good reafon will eafily be affigned. 

 Afl'uredly it is not becaufe they are tound prefer- 

 b 4 able 



