PREFACE, 
Thus far natural hiftory in general feems 
connected with the polite arts; but wete we 
to defcend into all its particular ufes in com~- 
mon life, we fhould exceed the bounds of a 
preface: it will be therefore neceflary to 
confine our inquiries to the inveftigation of 
a fingle part of the material world, which 
few are fo ignorant-as not to know is divided 
into the animal, vegetable, and foffil king- 
doms. 
Vatt would be the extent of the inquiries 
into each of thefe ; but though ambition may 
tempt us. to pervade the whole field of fci- 
ence, yet a little experience will open to our 
views the immenfe tracts of natural know- 
lege, and we fhall find it an arduous tafk 
only to inveftigate a fingle province, fo as to 
fpeak with precifion and certainty ; without 
which there can be no real improvements in 
natural hiftory. 
For thefe reafons, a partial examination of 
_ this fcience is all that a confiderate mind will 
aim at, which may perhaps be moft naturally 
guided to give the preference to the moft 
exalted fubject of it. 
Zoology is the nobleft part of natural hif= 
tory, as it comprehends all fenfitive beings, 
from 
