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 9 

 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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