PREFACE. 
a generic arrangement in the different branches of Zoology: every new edi- 
tion of his invaluable labours varied the preceding plan ; and his laft, the 
moft unexceptionable of all, left the Lord of the Creation claffed with ApeSj 
Monkies, Maucaucos, and Bats! 
The fublime diforder of Nature herfelf, too prolific to enumerate or ar- 
range her produAions ; and the effential variations between the moft celebrated 
^ Nacuralifts, who confound while they attempt to explain; firft fuggefled the 
idea of offering Zoology to the world in a method hitherto unattempted. 
With this view, the different tribes of beings which people the earth, the 
air, and the v/ater, are not only induftrioufly colleded, and faithfully de- 
fcribed ; but their ceconomy, habits, and qualities, with every other matter 
relative to the fcience, are minutely explained in alphabetical order. 
But though, in the prefent work, we have emancipated ourfelves from 
fyftem, we fcruple not to retain as much method as perfpicuity may re- 
quire, where a genus is compleat, and the fpecies bearing the fame name 
vary by local rather than by natural caufes. 
In the profecution of this arduous plan, every afjiftance has been called 
in which could be derived from the moft accurate obfervers of Nature, both 
ancient and modern; from authentic Voyagers and Travellers; and from the 
Philofophical Tranfadlions of our own, and the Memoirs of Foreign Coun- 
tries. 
« 
The beautiful Delineations from Nature with which the work is at once 
elucidated and adorned, are all drawn and coloured from adlual fpecimens, 
by Naturalifts of acknowledged reputation, who have viHted the Cabinets of 
the VirtuoH in every part of Europe, and occafionaily publifhed their re- 
fearches ; with the invaluable addition of a vaft variety of curious Animals, 
which the indefatigable induftry, the confummate fkill, and the munificent 
expence, of Sir Ashton Lever, in the eftablifhment of his noble Mufeum, 
have enabled us to lay before the public for the firft time, from Original 
Drawings by the moft ingenious Artifts. 
A NEW 
