TRANSLATOR S PREFACE 



X HE acknowledged fame of the celebrated au- 

 thor of thefe Trafts, and the Importance of his 

 numerous difcoverles, are too well eflabliflied to 

 require any additional confirmation here. His 

 name has juftly been inrolled with that of the 

 moft illuftrious European phyfiologifts : and his 

 works will ever remain an emblem of genius and 

 refearch. All bear indifputable evidence of pro- 

 found inveftigation into the phenomena of nature, 

 and of the moft comprehenfive and enlightened 

 underftanding. Probably the following treatifcs 

 on the Natural Hijlory of Animals and Vegetables 

 will rank with the firft of his produdions j for 

 the new, fmgular, and intereiling matter they 

 contain will be an equal fource of pleafure and 

 ladmiration to the philofophic reader. 



Voi,. I. b Th? 



