XXVI 
P R E F A C E. 
natural hiflory befides, and feme of them 
almoft entirely negleCted before his time. 1 
fhould therefore wilh that thofe who are 
fond of this part of knowledge would, in- 
fiead of making frivolous objections, try by 
an accurate and diligent examination to rec- 
tify his miltakes, and thereby help to per- 
fect a fyftem which deferves the utmoft at- 
tention, and commendation. 
Tho’ i faid above that it matters not 
whether the fexual fyftem be founded on 
nature or not ; yet it was natural for the 
inventor of it to endeavor by all proper 
means to vindicate it as likely to be fo, and 
this he has done to the fatisfaCtion of the 
mod curious obfervers ; and i will venture 
to add, that it is natural for others likewife 
to embrace with zeal a fyftem, that puts 
the works of Providence in fo new and 
beautiful a light by continuing the analogy 
from the animate to the inanimate creation. 
It feerns as if Providence intended to lead 
men to this difeovery by linking our fenfes 
fo intenfely and fo agreeably with thofe 
very parts which contain the clue of this 
fyfterm Yet fuch is the inattention and 
