11 +j 
V- ij c*. 2 
PREFACE, 
T 0 thofe who attentively confider the fubject of Natural Hif* 
tory, as difplayed in the animal creation, it will appear, that 
though much has been done to explore the intricate paths of 
Nature, and follow her through all her various windings, much 
yet remains to be done before the great ceconomy is completely 
developed. Notwithftanding the laborious and not unfuccefs- 
ful inquiries of ingenious men in all ages, the fubjedt is far 
from being exhaufted. Syftems have been formed and explo- 
ded, and new ones have appeared in their Head ; but, like fke- 
letons injudicioufly put together, they give but an imperfedl 
idea of that order and fymmetry to which they are intended to 
be fubfervient : They have their ufe, but it is the fkilful prac- 
titioner who is chiefly enabled to profit by them ; to the lefs 
informed they appear obfcure and perplexing, and too frequent- 
ly deter him from the great objedff of his purfuit. 
To inveftigate, with any tolerable degree of fuccefs, the more 
retired and diftant parts of the animal ceconomy, is a talk of no 
fmall difficulty. An inquiry fo defireable and fo eminently ufe- 
ful would require the united efforts of many to give it the de- 
fired fuccefs- Men of leifure, of all defcriptions, refiding in the 
country, could fcarcely find a more delightful employment than 
