PREFACE. 



At a time, when the study of natural 

 history seems to revive in Europe; and 

 the pens of several illustrious foreigners 

 have been employed in enumerating the 

 productions of their respective countries, 

 we are unwilling that our own island 

 should remain insensible to its particular 

 advantages ; we are desirous of diverting 

 the astonishment of our countrymen at 

 the gifts of nature bestowed on other 

 kingdoms, to a contemplation of those 

 with which (at lest with equal bounty) 

 she has enriched our own. 



A judicious Foreigner has well remark- 

 ed, that an Englishman is excusable should 

 he be ignorant of the papal history, where 

 it does not relate to Great Britain; but 

 inexcusable should he neglect inquiries 



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