( 3 ) 



I muft, however, previoufly tell you, 

 that you have engaged me, to affume a 

 tafk, to which I am confcious, that my 

 flender abilities, are very unequal, and 

 which I am particularly unable to exe- 

 cute with advantage, from the little 

 acquaintance I have had with the ftudy 

 of Botany, and my entire ignorance, 

 of the art of Drawing, which would 

 have enabled me, agreeably to illuftrate 

 my verbal defcriptions. I am likewife 

 but little acquainted with the Indian 

 languages, which are indifpenfably ne- 

 ceffary, for acquiring that knowledge of 

 the properties, and effects of the feve- 

 ral clalfes of Animals, and Vegetables, 

 which experience, during a long fuc- 

 ceffion of ages, muft have fuggefted 

 to thefe natives. I have, in vain, 

 endeavoured to overcome this difficulty, 

 by the affiftance of an Interpreter. 



B 2 An 



