INTRODUCTION. 



" Observatores pauci, qui, scientiae mysteriis initiati, rite 

 colligunt, collecta examinant, discrimina quserunt, naturae arcana 

 rimantur." SCOPOLI. 



THE attention that, of late years, has been 

 devoted to the study of Natural History, and its 

 importance to our commerce, manufactures, and 

 domestic economy, must render every attempt 

 to increase or simplify our knowledge of it at 

 once praiseworthy and desirable ; and, it is 

 hoped, will be a sufficient apology for the reprint 

 of a work which has already gone through se- 

 veral editions. 



The Natural History of Selborne, by the Rev. 

 Gilbert White, appears to have been written at 

 the suggestion of Mr. Pennant, the Hon. Daines 

 Barrington, and several distinguished contem- 



A2 



srsoeroocrrt 



