158 NATURAL HISTORY^ 



word well known to every one, gypsum, for 

 instance, and besides its appropriate name, sul- 

 phate oflime, it is called vitriol oflime, calcareous 

 vitriol, selenite, plaster of Paris, vitrum mnsco- 

 vitum, celestine, he. And the vegetable alkali, 

 known by the common appellation of potash, is 

 termed carbonate of potash, alkahest, nitre fixed 

 by itself, fixed salt of tartar, vegetable fixed alkali, 

 aerated vegetable fixed alkali, cretacious tartar, 

 mephitic tartar, mephite of potash, &:c. Who is 

 not frightened when he approaches a science sur- 

 charged with such multitudinous and barbarous 

 terms ? Botany is equally, if not more perplex- 

 ing. Besides the Linnsean system of vegetables, 

 we are confounded by the natural orders of Jus- 

 uieu. In zoology, there are many systems besides 

 that of Linnaeus, and the nomenclature is intricate, 

 perplexed, and various. With all these disad- 

 vantages, there is, however, no knowledge more 

 captivating, more useful, and more dignified than 

 the science of nature. 



In my tour through the country, I have seen- 

 many organic beings, which have either been 

 imperfectly described, or not described at all — 

 particularly in the department of ichthyology ; 

 and I shall probably draw your attention to some 

 objects of this nature, of considerable interest. 

 In making this attempt, I shall endeavor to unite 



