SECTION I. 7 



The vaft number of fpecies hitherto 

 difcovered, and the numerous colle£lIons 

 made, exhibit only the fhells or habita- 

 tions, the Animals themfelves being fcarce- 

 ly known or defcribed. Of the fhells 

 we daily difcover, few are fi{hed up living; 

 the greater number are found on fliores, 

 dead and empty. Accurate defcriptlons 

 of Animals, whofe parts are not eafily 

 feen or obvious, and anatomical refearches, 

 are not in the capacity of every one to 

 make; nor are the particular parts and, 

 their refpeclive functions fo eafily cog- 

 nizable to any, but expert, afliduous, and 

 philofophical enquirers. How is it ^pof- 

 fible then to arrange a numerous fet of 

 Animals by characters or parts, we can 

 with difficulty, if ever, get acquainted 

 with, in the far greater number of the 

 fpecies we colleft or difcover ? 



The indefatigable and accurate Fabius 

 Column a was furprized at the omiffion ; 

 lio even complains of it. It is aftonifhing, 



B 4 fays 



