iNTRODUCTIOX* 3 



jects at once presenting themselves to our astonished 

 sight. Without the aid of System, Nature must have 

 lain undistinguished, like furniture in a lumher-room; 

 every thing we wish for is there indeed, but we know 

 not zvhere to find it. If, for instance, in a morning ex- 

 cursion, I find a plant, or an insect, the name of which 

 I desire to learn, or perhaps am curious to know whe- 

 ther its species is undiscovered, I can only derive in- 

 formation from examining those Methodical Systems 

 which Naturalists have arranged in regular course. 

 This single proof of the utility of method, will com- 

 pletely, evince the necessity of the plan ; yet, instead of 

 perplexing the mind by technical expressions, or op- 

 pressing the memory with scientific terms, I shall en- 

 deavour to make the subject clear and comprehensive to 

 the understanding of those for whom it is designed. In 

 this succinct and elucidating method, I shall adhere to 

 the Author's plan from whom it is abridged, and divide 

 the different Classes under those fourteen heads with 

 which he commenced his intelligent Work. 



All Quadrupeds (the number of which, according to 

 Buffon, amounts to about two hundred,) may be classed 

 according to the following plan : — 



First, those of the Horse kind. This class contains 

 the Horse, the Ass, and the Zebra. None of these 

 have horns, and their hoofs are undivided. 



The second Class are those of the Cow kind, com- 

 prehending the Urus, the Buffalo, the Bison, and the 

 Bonasus, which have cloven hoofs and chew the cud. 



The third Class is that of the Sheep kind, with cloven 

 hoofs, and chewing the cud like the former. In this is 

 comprehended the Sheep, the Goat, the Lama, the Vi- 

 gogne, the Gazella, the Guinea Deer, and all of a si- 

 milar make and form. 



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