C 35 ] 



Country, though ever fo dh1:ant, that has 

 not greatly contributed to enrich this De- 

 partment. We may here fee the Progrefs 

 of Art in the different Ages of the World, 

 exemplified in a Variety of Utenfils 

 each Nation in each Century has pro- 

 duced. Natural Hiftory may in this 

 Place be ftudied from Nature herfelf, fo 

 great is the Variety here contained of the 

 moft curious Productions of the Earth, 

 Air, and Water. 



In going through the almofl infinite 

 Number of Curiofities which the Depart- 

 ment contains, I fhall, for the greater Eafe 

 of my Readers, obferve a Method fome- 

 what regular ; firil giving the Infcriptions 

 on the feveral Repofitories, and afterwards 

 explaining the Nature of the principal 

 Contents of them. So copious is the Sub- 

 jed, that my chief Endeavour muft be, to 

 give fuch an Account, as may be fatis- 

 fadory, and anfwer the End propofed, 

 without exceeding the Bounds I have fet 

 myielf. It is fome Degree of Merit to 

 C 6 meaa 



