THE 



EDITOR'S PREFACE. 



The terra was written by Mr. Evelyn, at the request of the 

 Royal Society, about twelve years after the publication of the SILVA : 

 and as every thing that came from his pen received distinguished 

 marks of public approbation, he had the satisfaction to see it undergo 

 several impressions during his life-time, to each of which he added 

 something. From the extreme veneration that I entertain for the 

 memory of so worthy and good a citizen, I have here attempted a 

 re-publication of that celebrated work ; and I would fain flatter myself 

 that it will be found free from the inaccuracies with which the 

 other editions abound. The occasional Notes are introduced with 

 a design to give the reader a more extensive view of the subject, which 

 has received much improvement since the days of our most excellent 

 Author. It was my intention to have added this Discourse to my first 

 Edition of the Silva ; but, when that was ready for the press, I had 

 made but little progress in the examination of this ; and indeed it was 

 then uncertain whether I should ever complete it, as such works are 

 with me an amusement, and not a studv. 



A. HUNTER. 



York, Jan. 1, 1786. 



3 E 2 



