OF NATURE, 
125 
§. 21 . 
This fubjeft concerning the oeconomy of na- 
ture, a very fmall part of which i have lightly 
touched upon, is of fuch importance and dig- 
nity, that if it were to be properly treated in 
all its parts, men would find wherewithal to 
employ aim oft all the powers of the mind. Nay 
time itfelf would fail before even the moft 
acute human fagacity would be able to di£» 
cover the amazing ceconomy, laws, and ex- 
quifite ftru&ure of the leaft infecft, fince as 
Pliny obferves, nature no where appears more 
herfelf, than in her moft minute works. Every 
fpecies of created beings deferves to engrofs one 
examiner. 
If according to grofs calculation we reckon 
in the world 20000 fpecies of vegetables , 3000 
of worms , 12000 of infefts^ 200 of amphi- 
bious animals , 2600 of fijhes^ 2000 of birds p , 
200 of quadrupeds ; the whole fum of the fpe- 
cies of living creatures will amount to 40000, 
Out of thefe our countrey has fcarcely 3000* 
p How the author came to reckon 2000 fpecies of birds 
in the world i cannot guefs, for in the Syfl. Nat, Linn. edit. 
6. there are only about 150 mentioned, and in the laft edi- 
tion of that book not above 550. 
for 
