( * ) 



THE 



INTRODUCTION. 



<^ J ATURE under the Direc- 

 j^^l tion of its Creator, tho' pro- 

 lifick beyond the reach of 

 Imagination, and ever exerting its 

 Fecundity in a fucceffive Evolution ) 

 of organifed Bodies, boundlefs in Va- 

 riety, as well as Number, has 

 yet fo much of Uniformity in all 

 its Productions, that not only the fpe- 

 cifick Afcent, or Defcent through- 

 out the whole Scale of vifible Beings 

 is eafy, and gentle by almoft im- 

 perceptible Gradations ; but alfo the 

 Subordination of Worlds, if I may fo 

 term the feveral inhabited Portions 

 of Matter, is concerted into a Har- 

 mony of Individuals as furpriiing, as 

 B that 



