IV 



1 have been occasionally employed, since the period which 1 

 have mentioned, in collecting and digesting materials from the 

 most authentic sources. These materials I have interspersed 

 with such observations, reflections, and reasonings, as occurred to 

 me from considering the multifarious subjects of which I have 

 ventured to treat. I knew that a deliberate perusal of the numer- 

 ous writers from Aristotle downwards, would require a consid- 

 erable portion of time. But the avocations of business, and the 

 translating of a work so voluminous as the Natural History of the 

 COUNT DE BUFFON, rendered my progress much slower than I 

 wished. I now, however, with much diffidence, submit my labors 

 to public opinion. 



With regard to the manner of writing, it is perhaps impossible 

 for a North Briton, in a work of any extent, to avoid what are 

 called Scotticisms. But I have endeavored to be every where 

 perspicuous, and to shun every sentiment and expression which 

 might have a tendency to injure the feelings of individuals. 



Indulgent readers, though they must perceive errors and imper- 

 fections, will naturally make some allowance for the variety of 

 research, and the labor of condensing so much matter into so small 

 a compass. He is a bad author, it has been said, who affords 

 neither an aphorism nor a motto. 



Upon the whole, the general design of this publication is, to 

 convey to the minds of youth, and of such as may have paid little 

 attention to the study of Nature, a species of knowledge which it 

 is not difficult to acquire. The knowledge will be a perpetual and 

 inexhaustible source of many pleasures ; it will afford innocent 

 and virtuous amusement, and will occupy agreeably the leisure or 

 vacant hours of life. 



