iy DEDICATION. 



done but little to merit the favourable opinion, which he enter- 

 tained of me. Should I ever produce any work, in Natural His- 

 tory, worthy of the public notice, some of the value of such work 

 must be traced up to the friendship of the late Mr. Pennant. 



I beg you to excuse this vein of egotism. If I have spoken 

 too much of myself, it has been from a desire to speak my real 

 sentiments of your Father, whom I have always considered as the 

 greatest Zoologist his country has produced, and whose memory 

 I cherish with the fondest respect. My egotism, then, you must 

 allow, is not entirely unamiable. 



It is one of the objects of the Philadelphia Medical and Physi- 

 cal Journal to enlarge the stock of natural history ; and especially 

 of the natural history of the United-States. As yet, the work, 

 still in its infant state, has effected but little in this way. But 

 much will be effected in future ; not, I fear, by any researches of 

 my own, but by the labours of my pupils, and others, who, spread- 

 ing themselves through one of the most interesting countries 

 upon the face of the earth, are daily interrogating Nature, who is 

 ever willing to answer, and to be understood. 



Following the footsteps of your Father, you cannot but feel 

 an interest in whatever relates to the amiable science which we 

 cultivate. With this persuasion, and with a desire to exhibit 

 some public memorial of my friendship for you, I dedicate these 

 pages to you ; and am, with much respect, 



Dear Sir, 



Your obedient and humble servant, Sec. 



BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON. 



Philadelphia, February 27th, 

 1805. 



