{ iv ) 



the great Bulk of Non-defciipts to the Examination and Determination of the 

 Curious. Some Perfons, perhatps, may object to the jPromifcupus Aflemblage 

 of the various Subjei9:s here exhibited, and be ready to wiili that they had been 

 allotted in Order and Method, according to Genus zni Species ; and it miift . 

 be coiifcfl'cd, that fuch a Proceeding would have proved extremely fatisfailory 

 to every true Lover of Science. Such would have been highly pleafed to have 

 feen each Article named, and ftund in its proper Place. But however dcfirablc 

 fuch an Attainment might have been to a few Cog nofcenli, it is very certain that 

 the Majority of tlie World are not Methodijh. They love Variety more thari 

 Order, and would rather purchafe Twenty different Species of Cones or Turbos 

 in One Lot, than the fame Number of High Admirals or Wentletrats. Yet to 

 gratify every Palate, Care has been taken, as much as polTible, to keep the 

 Grand Clajfes, and often the Genera together ; at leaft as far as RefpeiSt to Size^ 

 Rarity, or Beauty^ would allow. And in this Difpofition, there are very few 

 Sulijects but will occur again and again ; To that almoft every Perfon defirous of 

 becoming ja. Purchafer, may have an Opportunity of fupplying his Wants. 

 Whereas, in a methodical Arrangement, it muft of Neceflity "have frequenfly 

 happened, either that a Multitude of the fame Species muft be fold together in 

 One Lot, (which very few would chufe to purchafe) or each Individual of that 

 Species, muft be difpofed oi fingly, or in Pairs ; which would have multiplied 

 the Number of Lots to fuch a Degree as would extend the Sale to as many 

 Weeks, zs it confifts at prefent of Days. 



It is hoped however, that the Man oi Science will not be altogether difappointed 

 in the prefent Arrangement of the Catalogue ; for as much Pains and Care have 

 been taken to affix the proper claffical, or generally received Names, to as many 

 Articles as the Time and Abilities of the Compiler would allow ; it will be no 

 great Trouble for him to caft his Eje over each Day's Sale, as it occurs, and 

 he will hardly fail to meet in one or more of them, with the Subjects he defires. 

 In Order therefore to his more ready Underftanding the various Articles re- 

 corded in the following Catalogue, it remains only to fubjoin an Explanation of 

 the References and Abbreviations made Ufc of in it. 



REFE- 



