vm 
fon and Mr. Pennant have diffused such a degree 
of information on these subjects, that it does not 
seem an easy task to improve upon their plan 
otherwise than by the introduction of the Linnaean 
method of arrangement, the rectification of errors 
relative to synonyms, the addition of proper spe- 
cific characters, and the introduction of new 
species ; more particularly those which have been 
lately introduced to the knowledge of European 
naturahsts from the vast island of Australasia or 
New Holland, and which seem to exceed in sin- 
gularity of form and character those of every 
other region of the globe. 
Of the gmeric and specific characters, but more 
particularly the latter, it should be observed, that 
implicit faith is not always to be placed in them. 
They are highly useful in a general view, but 
should merely be regarded in that light, and can- 
not be considered as in every instance strictly 
and absolutely exact. It is farther to be observed, 
that the English specific characters in the present 
work are commonly so rendered as to be some- 
what fuller or more particular than the Latin; 
from which it will also be perceived, that they oc- 
casionally vary a little. This was necessary, in 
order to accommodate them to the purpose of ge- 
neral readers. 
With respect to figures, those highly import- 
ant accompaniments to a work of this kind^, no 
care has been spared to give such as convey the 
clearest and most accurate ideas of the animals 
themselves. Where Buffon s figures were judged 
