HISTORY OF MEXICO. 255 



doubt whether they are different from thofe defcribed 

 by Buffon. Our principal aim in forming this catalogue 

 has not been to fliew the miftakes of the count de Buf- 

 fon in his enumeration of American quadrupeds, and 

 the error of his opinions concerning the imagined fcarci- 

 ty of matter in the new world, but to be of fome fervice 

 to European naturalifts by pointing out to them fome 

 quadrupeds hitherto unknown, and removing in fome 

 degree thofe difficulties which have been occafioned by 

 indiftinft appellations of them. They might defire to 

 have exact defcriptions along with them, and even in 

 this we mould be willing to contribute every thing in 

 our power, were it not foreign to our purpofe. In 

 order to make this catalogue, befides the great fludy in 

 which it has engaged us, we have obtained written in- 

 formations from perfons of learning and accuracy of 

 knowledge, experienced in different countries of Ame- 

 rica, for whofe obliging communications we owe them 

 the greateft acknowledgments. 



DISSERTATION 



