( iv ) 



ihc great Bulk of Non-defcnpts to the Examination and determination of 

 Curious. Some Peifons, perhap?, may objeft to the Promifcuous Aflemblage 

 of the \ arlous BubjcvSls here exhibited, and be ready to wilh that they had been 

 allotted in Order and Method, according to Genus and Species ; and it muft 

 be confclled, that fueh a Proceeding would have proved extremely fatlsfa£lory 

 to every true Lover of Science. Such v/ould have been highly pleafed to have 

 ften each Article named, and ftand In its proper Place. But however defirable 

 luch an Attainment might have been to a few Cognofcenti, it is very certain tliat 

 the Majority of the World are not Methodifis. They love Variety more than 

 Order, and would rather purcliafe Twenty different Species of Cones or Turbos 

 in One Lot, than the fame Number of High Admirals or Jfentletraps. Yet to 

 gratify every Palate, Care has been taTcen, as much as polTib'le, to keep the 

 Grand Claffcs.) and often the Genera together ; at leaft as far as Refpedt to Size^ 

 Rarltyy or Beauty^ would allow. And in this Difpofition, there are very few 

 Subjects but will occur again and again ; fo that almoft every Perfon defirous of 

 becoming a Purchafer, may have an Opportunity of fupplying his Wants. 

 Whereas, in a methodical Arrangement, it muft of Neceffity have frequently 

 happened, either that a Multitude of the fame Species muft be fold together in 

 One Lotf (which very few would chufe to purchafe) or each LiJividual of that 

 Species, muft be difpofed of JingJy, or in Pairs ; which would have multiplied 

 the Nua:ber of Lots to fuch a Degree as would extend the Sale to as many 

 Weeksy as it confifts at prefent of Days. 



It is hoped however, that the Man of Science will notTjc altogetlier difappolnted 

 in the prefent Arrangement of the Catalogue ; for as much Pains and Care have 

 been taken to affix the proper claffical, or generally received Names, to as many 

 Articles as the Time and Abilities of the Compiler would allow ; it will be no 

 great Trouble for him to caft his Eye over each Day's Sale, as it occurs, and 

 he will hardly fail to meet in one or rnore of them, with the Subjeds he defires. 

 In Order therefore to his more ready Underftanding the various Articles re- 

 corded in the following Catalogue, it remains only to fubjoin an Explanation of 

 the References and Abbreviations made Ufe of in it. 



REFE. 



