[ vii ] 



PREFACE. 



M TJ E that enlarges his curiofity after 

 J7X th e works of nature," fays a 

 celebrated writer, " derrtonftrably multi- 

 tiplies the inlets to happinefs. A man 

 that has formed a habit of turning every 

 new objeft to his entertainment, finds in 

 thefe produftions an inexhauftible ftock 

 of materials upon which he can employ 

 himfelf, without any temptations to envy 

 or malevolence ; faults, perhaps, feldom 

 totally avoided by thofe, whofe judgment 

 is much exercifed upon the works of art. 

 He has always a certain profpe£t of dif- 

 covering new reafons for adoring the 

 fovereign author of the univerfe, and pro- 

 bable hopes of making fome difcovery of 

 benefit to others, or of profit to hinifelf." 



No method appears better calculated 

 to enlarge our knowledge of Natural Hif- 

 tory, than vifiting foreign countries, and 

 carefully attending to the different objefts 

 they afford, which more or lefs delight by 

 their novelty and variety; but our in- 

 quiries fhould not be confined merely to 

 private gratification ; there are duties of 

 a more rational nature ; to be ufeful to 

 A 4 fociety 



