TO 



THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT PRINCE 



CHARLES, 



SON AND HEIR TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY KING JAMES. 



I HUMBLY present unto your highness the first fruits of 

 our Natural History ; a thing exceeding little in quantity, 

 like a grain of mustard seed, but yet a pledge of those things 

 which, God willing, shall ensue. For we have bound our 

 selves, as by a vow, every month that God shall of his 

 goodness please (whose glory it sets forth as it were in a 

 new canticle or song) to prolong our life, to set out one or 

 more parts of it, according as their length and difficulty 

 shall prove more or less. Others may peradventure (moved 

 by our example) be moved to the like industry ; especially 

 when they shall clearly perceive what is in hand. For in 

 a natural history which is good and well set out, are the 

 keys both of sciences and works. God preserve your high 

 ness long in safety, 



Your Highness s humble and devoted Servant, 



FRAN. ST. ALBAN. 



