MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 7 



diately suggested, he thus expresses himself: " At 

 a time when the study of natural history seems to 

 revive in Europe, and the pens of several illustrious 

 foreigners have heen employed in enumerating the 

 productions of their respective countries, we are un- 

 willing that our own island should remain insensible 

 ' to its particular advantages. We are desirous of di- 

 verting the astonishment of our countrymen at the 

 gifts of nature bestowed on other kingdoms, to a 

 contemplation of those with which (at least with 

 equal bounty) she has enriched our own. Why, 

 then, should we neglect inquiring into the various 

 benefits that result from the wisdom of our Creator, 

 which his divine munificence has so liberally and so 

 immediately placed before us?" In 1761, his first 

 work, the British Zoology, was commenced, and up- 

 on a large scale. When completed, it contained 

 132 folio plates. This afterwards went through 

 many smaller editions ; and supplemental volumes 

 were at times added. It appears that the later edi- 

 tions yielded some return, perhaps considerable for 

 the period ; and although loss was sustained, from 

 the expensive form of publication first employed, the 

 after profits were always applied to some charitable 

 institution. He tells us at one part of his literary 

 life, " Mr Benjamin White paid me 100 for per- 

 mission to publish an octavo edition, which I imme- 

 diately vested in the Welsh Charity School." Latin 

 and German editions, with the plates, were also pub- 

 lished abroad. 



