8 MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 



The best and most complete copies of this work 

 are the quarto editions published in 1776 and 1777, 

 in four volumes, the last containing the Crustacese 

 and Shells. The plates are chiefly executed by 

 Mazell, and some from drawings by Edwards. They 

 are in many instances characteristic, and the work- 

 manship bold. The best are some of the Water- 

 fowl, and the plates of the last volume. The letter- 

 press is clear, and not lengthened, written in great 

 part from personal observation, and oftentimes with 

 a view to a contrast with the writings of his con- 

 tinental rival Buffon. These naturalists, as we shall 

 presently see, were acquainted with each other, and, 

 although on friendly terms, several little jealousies 

 arose, which can be traced in their respective writ- 

 ings. The following extract from the natural his- 

 tory of the Mole, is evidently aimed at the scepti- 

 cism of Buffon, and will serve as a specimen of the 

 descriptive style of this work : 



" There are many animals in which the Divine 

 Wisdom may be more agreeably illustrated ; yet the 

 uniformity of its attention to every article of the 

 creation, even the most contemptible, by adapting 

 the parts to its distinct course of life, appears more 

 evident in the mole than in any other animal. 



" A subterraneous abode being allotted to it, the 

 seeming defects of several of its parts vanish ; which, 

 instead of appearing maimed, or unfinished, exhibit 

 a most striking proof of the fitness of their contri- 



