t 66 ] 



ment to perfevere in purfuits fo worthy of a 

 rational mind. 



It would render natural hiftory much more 

 pleating, as well as greatly tend to its progrefs, 

 were the limits of our knowledge therein pre- 

 cifely afcertained, that travellers and curious 

 perfons, who have little leifure for reading, 

 might not only be informed of what is already 

 difcovered, but alfo of what is ftill doubted, or 

 unknown ; by which means their inquiries would 

 be better directed, and more conducive to real 

 information and ufeful difcovery. 



From thefe confiderations, I imagined that 

 the following queries and obfervations would 

 tend to promote the original defign of this 

 publication which, though a work of con- 

 fiderable labor and attention, is fubmitted with 

 due deference to the candour of the public. If 

 the experience of the author, or the information 

 of his friends, fhould hereafter afford him a 

 more extenfive and intimate acquaintance with 

 the fubjedls recommended, he would retract a 

 miftake with as much readinefs as he would 

 communicate any future difcovery. 



SECT. 



