T his Work having been delivered in Parts at different Times during the 
Term of about ten Years (counting from its Beginning to the Delivery of 
the laft Part) it vi^as not at firff poffible to give it a proper General 
Title, as it was then altogether uncertain where it might end : But fince the Book is 
now brought to a Gonclufion, I thought it neceffary to prefix the foregoing General 
Title Page, 
And as I have here an Opportunity publickly to fhew my Gratitude to the^ 
Prefident and Council of the Royal Society, for that diftinguifiiing Mark of Fa- 
vour and Honour they were pleafed to confer upon me at their Grand Meet- 
ino- on St. Andrew's Anno 1750, by prefenting_ me with the ^ Gold Medal 
(annually given on that Day) in Confideration of this Hiftory of Animals, which was 
juff then concluded : It might be deemed an unpardonable Omiffion and Negledi 
lliould I forbear on this Occafion to return my humble Thanks to the Prefident and 
Council, as well as to the other Members of that Learned and ufeful Body, many 
of whom have, I know,, been inffrumental in procuring me this Favour and. 
Honour,. 
I muff likewife take this lafl Opportunity to thank my Friends in general, 
that have any Ways contributed to this Hifiory, by furnifliing me with Matter 
to bring it to a Length, that 1 at firft imagined, it could never attain, as well 
as to thofe Gentlemen that have promoted the Defign, by continuing their ge- 
nerous Subferiptions through the whole Work. 
As Sight, and Steadinefs of Hand begin to fail me, I fiiall here beg Leave to in- 
form fuch Gentlemen who have formerly employed me in Drawing, or any 
other Way, that I fhall for the future decline all fuch Bufinefs, and defire they 
would accept of my grateful Thanks for the Encouragement they have formerly 
I muff^ 
* This was the Donation of Sir G o d f r e^y Copley, Bart, who gave a Sum of Money to • 
the Royal Society, the Intereft of which he appointed annually to be difpofed of by Truces by him 
named, and after their Deceafe by the Prefident and Council of the Royal Society for the Time bang, 
to any Per fon that fhould make any new Difeovery in Art or Nature, or perform any other Work 
that fhould be thought wmrthy of that Favour. But the Society judging it, of late Years, more 
Eligible and Honourable to give this annual Donation in form of a Medal, than to pay it in 
MoW, caufed a Die to be cut, one Side of which has on it the Donor’s Narne, ^c. round 
in the Middle, a Device, viz. Minerva, wnth the Symbols of the Sciences at her Feet, holding the iim- 
blem of Nature in her Left-Arm, her Right- Arm being extended with a Wreath of Laurel in her Hand ; 
and on her Shield are the Arms of Sir Godfrey. The Reverfe has on it the Arms, Creff, Sup- 
porters, Motto, oi iMt Royal Society qS London. A Copy of this Medal, curioufly engraved, you = 
will fee placed under the General Title of this Work., 
