3 ^ 3 
P E E P A C E. 
The only translation of Pliistt's 'Natural History which 
has hitherto appeared in the English language is that by 
Philemon Holland, published in the latter part of the reign 
of Elizabeth. It is no disparagement to Holland's merits, 
as a diligent and generally faithful translator, to say that 
his work is unsuited to the requirements of the nineteenth 
century. 
In the present translation, the principal editions of 
Pliny have been carefully consulted, and no pains have 
been spared, as a reference to . the Notes will show, to 
present to the reader the labours of recent Commentators, 
among whom stands pre-eminent the celebrated Cuvier. It 
has been a primary object to bring to the illustration of the 
work whatever was afforded by the progress of knowledge 
and modern discoveries in science and art. Without ample 
illustration, Pliny's valuable work would want much of the 
interest which belongs to it, and present difficulties scarcely 
surmountable by any one who has not made the Author his 
especial study. 
In the first two Books, the text of Hardouin, as given in 
Lemaire's edition (Paris, 1827), has been followed j in the 
1 
