preface. vii 
the World, becaufe their innate Laws are unchangeable, and accommo- 
dated only to Juch Climates as Nature has placed them in ; fo that I be- 
Iteve there is no Creature whofe Race is fpread in all habitable Parts of 
the World, as is that of the human Species. Each Animal feems to have 
hts appointed Climate, out of which, if he be removed to one far different 
his Generation ceafeth or lofeth its fir ft Properties ; whereas fuch Creatures 
as continue where Nature placed them, vary hardly at all from the 
bpectes from which they /prangs preferving the fame Magnitude, Form 
and Colours throughout all Ages ; for it feemeth as if God had fet par- 
ticular marhs of DifiinBion on each Species from which they cannot 
. Reafon I found the agreement between each different Genera- 
tion of Animal and Plant, which always continues to bear the Form and Like- 
Jiejs ofthofe in which they were fir ft inclofed. Indeed fome domeflick Animals 
ay Plants differ in fome fort from their firfl Parents, which were fava^e. 
I take theje Differences not to be very material, and to proceed from the 
unyuraiyd. Habitation, and other Circutnftances that may alter the 
Ppntor Animal in Magnitude or Colour ; which is not material, feeing- 
thefe Lhingsfo^ made domeflick, if turned again to their native Habitations 
in a Generation or two cafi off thofe AccidSnts attain d by unnatural Situ- 
y ns, and recover their firfl Forms and Colours fiamped on thetn in the 
prfi Creation of the whole Species. 
Many who have wrote in former Limes on Nature, fuppofe that all : 
Things which were at firfl created by God on this Globe, have been ever 
fince, by hts Providence, continued through an implanted feminal Power ■ 
down to theje Times, asid will C 07 nmue as long as the Earth endureth • 
yet Jome great Naturalifls in thefe Days are quite of a different Opiniol 
ibefe Opinions are founded -on the great Variety of 
foffl Subflances found daUy in many Parts of -the World, refemblinr 
Animals and Parts of Animals now in being, as well as Animals and Parts- 
of ynmals not to be met with by the mofl laborious Searches of the Curious 
From the general face of Things we may fafely conclude there have 
been great Revolutions on the Face of this Earth, which in many Places- 
feem to have been caufed by a great %antity of Water prevailing, and 
puffing very fwiftly over its Surface, breaking up its lower Parts, and 
rearmg- 
