P R E F A C E. 
VV hilst so many new and interesting objects in 
Natural History are constantly unfolded to our view, 
it is astonishing to find how often the same subject is 
displayed in different works. The author of The Bri- 
tish Miscellany considers himself as the first who has 
undertaken to collect for publication, merely the 
new and rare productions of Great Britain ; and he 
has great pleasure in finding his exertions repaid by 
the stimulus they have given to the followers of Na- 
ture in every department. Objects which in former 
ages were passed over as too minute or too insignifi- 
cant for observation, are generally found to repay the 
investigator of them either by their beauty or utility. 
The present enlightened age seems very desirous of 
elucidating the obscurities of former times ; since it 
is become very evident, that the least as well as the 
largest work of nature is equally the production of 
an all-wise Creator. 
Upon Natural History all the most useful arts are 
dependent; it is also the greatest reflecter of that 
