PREFACE 



TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



HAVING stated the nature and object of his work in the In- 

 troduction to the following pages, it is only necessary that the 

 author should here subjoin a few words, by way of explana- 

 tion. 



There being two editions of Dr. Harris's ' Natural History 

 of the Bible ' extant in this country, (England) it is natural 

 that the public should inquire upon what grounds a second 

 work of this description is presented to their notice. The an- 

 swer to this inquiry may be very brief. Dr. Harris's work is 

 by far too critical for general purposes, and contains but little 

 ' Natural History.' It furnishes valuable materials to aid the 

 student in his investigations ; but to the unlearned reader it 

 presents few attractions ; while its frequent conjectural criti- 

 cisms, and utter destitution of evangelical sentiment and feel- 

 ing, render it by no means desirable as a medium of religious 

 instruction. 



In every part of the following work, the author has given 

 the authorities upon which his statements are founded ; and 

 conceiving that literary property is as sacred and inviolable as 

 that of every other species, he has conscientiously pointed out 

 the immediate sources of his information. This may be some- 

 times found operating to the prejudice of others ; but he can- 

 not be answerable for such a result. 



In availing himself of the labors of his predecessors, the 

 author has frequently found the highest authorities supporting 

 conflicting opinions : in such cases, he has decided to the best 

 of his judgment, and where the limits assigned to his work 

 would permit of it, he has laid before the reader the grounds 

 of his decision. 



The author cannot close these prefatory observations with- 

 out acknowledging his particular obligations to Mr. Charles 



