To SIR JOSEPH BANKS, Bart, 



PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY, &c. 



ECEiVE, Sir, as a small testimony 

 of my high respect for a Character 

 rendered illustrious in the paths of 

 Science, this plain recital of Facts, 

 and first publication, derived from 

 authentic sources, on a subject in 

 which You have declared Yourself to 

 feel the most lively interest ; and 

 which must interest every thinking 

 mind, delighting in the investigation of 

 physical causes, or disposed " to look 

 through Nature up to Nature's God." 



Your much obliged, 



And humble Servant, 



London, 

 October, 1802. 



REMBRANDT PEALE. 



