VI 



PREFACE. 



Head of being treated of individually, be arranged un- 

 der general heads -, that, in each of thefe divifions, 

 the known facls, as well as i-eafonings, fliould be col- 

 leded and methodlfed in the form of regular dif- 

 courfes ; that as few technical terms as poffible fliould 

 be employed ; and that all the ufeful and amufmg 

 views ariling from the different fubjed;s fliould be ex- 

 hibited in fuch a manner as to convey both pleafure 

 and information. 



This talk his Lordfliip was pleafed to think me not 

 altogether unqualified to attempt. The idea ftruck 

 me. I thought that a work of this kind, if executed 

 even with moderate abilities, might excite a tafte for 

 examining the various objefts which every where fo- 

 licit our attention. A habit of obfervation refines 

 our feelings. It is a fource of interefling amufement, 

 prevents idle or vicious propenfities, and exalts the 

 mind to a love of virtue and of rational entertainment. 

 I likewjfe refleded, that men of learning often betray 

 an ignorance on the moft common fubjeds of Natural 

 Pliftory, v/hich it is painful to remark. 



I have been occafionally employed, fince the period 

 which I have mentioned, in colleding and digefting 

 materials from the moft authentic fources. Thefe 



materials 



