42 MEMOIR OF 



sicians, and generally to learned men. Among 

 these subjects I judge that the first place in the 

 publication should be given to that which treats of 

 animals, as being a nobler subject than the others. 

 For as Plato reckons four great divisions of ani- 

 mals, corresponding to the four elements, earth, 

 water, air, and fire, I think it expedient, upon due 

 reflection, to begin with birds, that division seem- 

 ing to offer itself first in order; for as to those 

 corresponding to fire, I consider that none such 

 exist. Although certain insects fall under the aerial 

 division, some with conspicuous wings, like the 

 bee, and others with concealed, as the beetle, the 

 order of procedure may well be assigned to birds, 

 which fly with regular and not with membranaceous 

 wings. This subject of ornithology is, indeed, an 

 arduous one, whose very difficulty provokes inves- 

 tigation ; for here an aspiring mind may try its 

 strength, and if it succeed, the triumph is neither 

 low nor grovelling, but splendid and honourable ; 

 and should failure ensue, the very attempt is noble 

 and commendable. Some perhaps will inquire why 

 I have not commenced with quadrupeds, as this 

 division might seem to claim the first place, as they 

 assist man in his labours, and chiefly supply him 

 with food. My reasons I shall declare on a future 

 occasion, I trust to the satisfaction of the reader. 

 Quadrupeds then will occupy the second place. 

 The third I intend to assign to fishes, the offspring 

 a'nd flocks of the water, including the inhabitants of 

 the wide ocean, along with those which attacn 



