u mrwt 
imktameescsfaja 
•sxtt* 
FKE I 
Natural History is the most extensive, and 
perhaps the most instructive and entertaining of 
ail sciences. It is the chief source from which 
human knowledge is derived. - 
Its importance, accordingly, in the arts of life 
and instating the mind with just ideas of ex- 
ternal objects, as well as of their relations to the 
human race, .was early perceived by all nations 
in their progress from rudeness to refinement. 
Aristotle is the only ancient writer on Zoo- 
logy who merits ' attention ; he investigated the 
relations and differences, which connect and dis- 
tinguish the various tribes of anirqals. 
To mark the distinctions, to investigate the 
relations, to ascertain the great chain that unites 
the numerous,, tribes, which people and admn the 
universe, requires very superior talents. 
Among .those authors, whether ancient or mo- 
dern, who have contributed to unfold <the phi- 
losophy of Natural History, the Count De Buifon 
holds a most distinguished rank. His facts are 
collected with judgment and fidelity; his reason- 
ings and inferences are not only bold and inge- 
D 
