Y1 
PREFACE. 
and opinions of preceding writers, whether foreign or domestic, he 
was disposed to take on himself the task of accomplishing, to the best 
of his abilities, a work of that description. Numerous difficulties, 
indeed, offered themselves to his apprehensions ; but these, he trusted, 
might' yield to an almost enthusiastic fondness for these pursuits. 
Many errors and defects, he feared, might obtrude themselves on the 
eyes of the discerning critic ; but these he hoped might, in some 
measure, be compensated for, by the peculiar information which 
would result from the frequent examination of a tolerably large and 
systematic cabinet, obtained from the museums of Mr. Strange, 
Lord Donegal, M. Calonne, and of several other collectors. 
The kind encouragement of his scientific friends prompted him 
to apply himself to the task ; but the doubts and hesitations of 
those most in the habit of estimating the success of the offspring 
of the press, almost induced him to relinquish his proposed inten- 
tion. His arguments in favour of the attempt, derived from the cir- 
cumstance of the publications on this subject being so very few, were 
powerfully rebutted by the inference, that there were therefore but 
few readers ; and, consequently , but a small demand could be ex- 
pected. Partiality, however, to the project he had formed, and a 
conviction that ample support might be obtained, were the attention 
of the public fairly called to the wonders which the study of oryc- 
tology discovers, made him resolve on the attempt. 
But, aware of the small number of those who, at present, make 
this science their study, he feared that a dry, strictly scientific, work. 
