of compounding and decompounding words and names ; a circumstance of the greatest 

 consequence in a business of this sort. 



I should think myself totally unpardonable, if I finished this address without acknow- 

 ledging the obligation I am under to several friends, whose assistance in this work claim 

 the utmost return of gratitude ; among these, in a most particular manner I must mention 

 Dr. Fothergill, whose readiness to encourage and promote every part of natural history, 

 must endear him to every man who wishes well to so useful and beneficial a branch of 

 knowledge ; and it is to the kindness of that gentleman the reader will perceive I am 

 indebted for a great number of figures that form a considerable part of this work ; many 

 of which are so very rare, as not to be met with in any other cabinet. 



