PREFACE. 



Whilst so many new and iateresting objects in 

 Natural History are constantly unfolded to our view, 

 it is astonishing to find how often the same subject is 

 displayed in different works. The author of The Bri- 

 tish Miscellany considers himself as the first who has 

 undertaken to collect for publication, merely the 

 new and rare productions of Great Britain ; and he 

 has great pleasure in finding his exertions repaid by 

 the stimulus they have given to the followers of Na- 

 ture in every department. Objects which in former 

 ages were passed over as too minute or too insignifi- 

 cant for observation, are generally found to repay the 

 investigator of them either by their beauty or utility. 

 The present enlightened age seems very desirous of 

 elucidating the obscurities of former times ; since it 

 is become very evident, that the least as well as the 

 largest work of nature is equally the production of 

 an all -wise Creator. 



Upon Natural History all the most useful arts are 

 dependent J it is also the greatest reflecter of that 



