PREFACE. V'W 



intended,, and to enter with spirit into the study of such 

 more abstruse books as would, at first sight, have alarmed 

 them. 



It is necessary that I should explain one circumstance, that 

 inay be remarked by critical readers : This is, that, in some 

 •itistances, an author is quoted, and no reference appears to 

 him in the notes. At the commencement of the work, it was 

 my intention to let the general list of authorities suffice for 

 all, except doubtful cases ; but, after I had proceeded some 

 way, 1 was induced to change my plan in this respect, and, 

 as far as 1 then could, to insert no statement, but on an iH\- 

 mediate reference to tlie writer. Where, therefore, this is 

 not found, the reader must conclude, that I had passed the 

 part when the after resolution was formed. 



All the writers from whom I have derived information, 

 are, I believe, esteemed authentic : but, even amongst the 

 most careful of these, I have at times found some difficulty 

 in separating trutli from falsehood. Many are too apt to de- 

 pend on report for subjects, that require somewhat more than 

 report for their authentication. We should not, however, 

 be justified in entirely throwing aside even those writings, 

 in which some glaring absurdities are discoverable : but it is 

 necessary, that we should be careful in selecting the sterling 

 grains of truth from tiie imperfect and drossy matter that fre- 

 quently surrounds them. To render myself less liable to 



censure, I have been extremely careful, wherever any state- 

 ment appeared doubtful, never to omit citing my authority. 

 The system to which I have adhered in my arrangement, is 

 that of Linntcus, as corrected by Gmelin, Shaw, and a few 

 other later writers. This, though perhaps not altogether so 

 natural as some others, is, 1 conceive, the best calculated of 

 any extant to sim.plify and assist the study. 



The figures I have referred to arc such authentic ones, 

 as the reader may have admission to at the least expence. — 



