ii INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
The very remarkable Obelisks that yet remain in the deep- 
eft folitudes, and on the moft detached hills ; covered over 
with fculptures which evince them to have been fet up in the 
early ages of Chriftianity, and before alphabetical writing was 
pradifed in thefe northern counties 3 feemed a curious fub- 
jed of inveftigation, which had been but partially attended 
to : a department was therefore allotted to thefe Monuments, 
wherein the origin of the feveral figures fculptured on them 
might be fully traced, and their hieroglyphical import, or al- 
legorical al lu lion, as far as poffible, fhewn. In illuftrating 
this fubjed much yet remains to be done. 
The fubjeds of Natural History, here prefented, are 
folely marine animals, or produdions from the depths of the 
Ocean. To the variety of life, and its wonderful operations, 
which pervades the bottom of the fea, human refearch can 
never fet a bound. For although, thro’ the united labours of 
ingenious men, the Infeds of the field and garden have had 
their ftrudure and ingenuity very fully difplayed ; yet the 
inftinds and faculties of thefe wonderful artificers, which in- 
habit the deep beds of the Ocean, are but comparatively little, 
known. 
The difficulties attending the refearch and inveftigation 
of the modes of life, and contrivances to chear exiftence, that 
operate among thofe beings which have a fixed refidence there, 
have been an almoft infuperable barrier to our full acquaint- 
ance with that part of the fyftem. — In numberlefs inftances, 
however, we perceive their form and texture to be no lefs ex- 
quifitely 
