PREFACE. 
T 'vould be but an idle employment of time 
to expatiate on the pleasures of the study of 
*^ture, since they must be obvious to all. To 
Vle W her boundless diversity of forms and 
b ' a dations; to become acquainted, in fact, with 
Ration is to be enamoured of her charms. 
er productions are every where to be found, 
^ every where inviting attention ; they are 
many and so various, the laws by which 
e governs them so extensive and beautiful, 
that 
none of her followers ever yet complained 
satiety or disgust ; on the contrary, to in- 
•gate her works gives health to the body r , 
of 
v ostig. ; 
^ b ° Ur to the mind, and yields an inexhaustable 
of amusement and delight. As it neither 
p Tnr es confinement, sedentary habits nor ex- 
^ siv e instruments to study it with success, it 
^ he pursued by the poor as well as the rich. 
V e , as *he productions of nature are so 
' e xtensive and diversified, it has been 
necessary, for the conveniency of study, 
^ ^‘Wde and arrange them into small depart- 
nts ' The advantages of this must be oh- 
