PREFACE. Xi 



enable us to discover the errors and partialities in 

 former accounts, and prevent our being amused or 

 inisled by any erroneous relations for the future ; 

 which are certainly circumstances of very great con- 

 sequence. 



The natural history of these countries will be like- 

 wise found in the following sheets, in a manner no less 

 })erfect and pleasing. These gentlemen Mcnt about 

 it in a proper method, and with the talents recpiisite 

 to the complete accomplishment of theirdesign. Tiiey 

 saw things with their own eyes, they enquired care- 

 fully, but they took nothing on trust : on the contra- 

 ry, they discoN ered, and they have disclosed, many er- 

 rors of an old standing; exploded various common 

 notions that were ill founded, and have left others 

 in the state in which they ought to be left, as things 

 not thoroughly proved, or absolutely disproved; 

 but which are reserved for further examination. It is 

 chiefly from the natural history, that we collect tlic 

 value and importance of any country, because from 

 thence we learn its produce of every kind. In these 

 sheets we find the greatest care taken in this particu- 

 lar; all the riches of the mineral, vegetable, and ani- 

 mal kingdoms exhibited to our view, their places 

 exactly assigned, their respective natures described, 

 the methods of using, improving, and manufacturing 

 them, pointed out ; and, exclusive of a multitude of 

 vulgar errors exposed, and mistaken notions refuted, 

 an infinity of new, curious, and important remarks 

 are made, all tending to explain and illustrate the re- 

 spective subjects. Of these many instances might be 

 given; but that would be to anticipate the reader's 

 pleasure, and arrogate to ourselves the merits of the 

 authors we celebrate. 



In 



