ADVERTISEMENT. 
FI E arrangement of materials in this volume being 
in feme refpedts lefs perfect than might be wiilied, 
it is neceffary that fomething iliould be faid to obviate 
any imputation of negligence. The truth will be the 
befb, andj as it ought, the only apology. The official 
papers of Governor Phillip, which were liberally com- 
municated by Government, formed at fird our principal 
fource of intelligence. Thefe, from their nature, could 
contain but little information on fubjedls of natural 
hiftory, and many other points, concerning which the 
curiofity of every reader would naturally be excited. 
The efforts of the publiflier to give fatisfacftion to the 
public in thefe refpects produced a gradual influx of 
materials; and the fuccefTive arrival of i different vef- 
fels from the Indian feas, occalioned additions to the 
work, vvhich made it necefiary to engrave new plates. 
- A 
Whil 
