

I. F. BLUMENBACH, ^ 



PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTTINGEN, 



AULIC COUNSELLOR_, FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 



OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF PARIS, 



&C. &C. &C. 



Dear Sir, 



The principal subject of the following 

 pages has received its most numerous and suc- 

 cessful illustrations from your sagacity, industry, 

 and learning. 



Having freely availed myself of your labours — 

 although with that occasional dissent in matters 

 of opinion, which I doubt not will be more agree- 

 able to the liberality of so enlightened a Philo- 

 sopher, than invariable servile adoption — I think 

 it a mere act of justice to dedicate this work to 

 you. I do so with the greater pleasure, because 

 it affords me the opportunity of gratefully ac- 

 knowledging the instruction and entertainment 

 which I have derived from your excellent writings; 



