x. PREFACE, 
For thefe reafons, a partial examination of 
this fcience is all that aconfiderate mind will 
aim at, which may perhaps be moft naturally 
guided to give the preference to the moft 
exalted fubject of it. - Sd a 
- Zoology is the nobleft part of natural hifto- 
ry, as it comprehends all fenfitive beings, 
from reafoning man, through every f{pecies of 
animal life, till it defcends to that point where 
fenfe is wholly extinct, and vegetation com- 
mences: and certainly none will deny, that 
life, and voluntary motion are fuperior to a 
mere vegetating principle, or the more ina@tive 
ftate of the foffil kingdom. pa 
Should we follow the train of reflections 
which naturally arife from the contemplation 
of animals, they would fwell this preface into 
a volume: and fhould we only mention the 
various ufes of Britz/b animals in common life 
yet even thefe.would greatly exceed the bounds 
to which we have thought it right to limit 
ourfelves. The knowlege of Dietetics isa 
neceflary branch of medecine, as by a proper 
attention to that article, an obftinate diftem- 
per maybe.eradicated, when common remedies 
have failed; but this can never be attained, 
avithout the fudy of Zoology, which affifts 
us greatly in learning the different qualities 
ef animal food; and how far a difference 
of mutriment may contribute to cure the 
difeafe. | 
~ Cloathing is effential, not only toour com- 
fort, but fubfiftence; and the number of our 
Manu- . 
