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oS Work having been delivered in Parts at different Times during the Term ‘ 
4 of about ten Years (counting from its Beginning to the Delivery of the lat 
Part) it was not at firft poflible to give it a proper General Title, as it was then 
altogether uncertain where it might end: But fince the Book is now brought to a 
‘Conclufion, I thought it neceffary to prefix the foregoing general Title Page. 
And as I have here an Opportunity publicly to fhew my Gratitude to the Prefident 
and Council of the Royal Society, for that diftinguifhing Mark of Favour and Honour 
they were pleafed to confer upon me at their Grand Meeting on St. Andrew's Day, 
Anno 1750, by prefenting me with the * Gold Medal (annually given on that Day) 
in Confideration of this Hiftory of Animals, which was juft then concluded: it 
might be deemed an unpardonable Omiffion and Neglect, thould I forbear on this 
Occafion to return my humble Thanks to the Prefident and Council, as well as to 
the other Members of that learned and ufeful Body, many of whom have, I know, 
been inflrumental.in procuring me this Favour and Honour. 
_ I muft likewife take this laft Opportunity to thank my Friends in general, that 
have any Ways contributed to this Hiftory, by furnifhing me with Matter to bring 
it to a Length, that I at firft imagined, it could never attain, as well as to thofe 
Gentlemen that have promoted the Defign, by continuing their generous Sub- 
{criptions through the whole Work. | 
As Sight and Steadinefs of Hand begin to fail me, I fhall here beg Leave to in- 
form fuch Gentlemen who have formerly employed me in Drawing, or any other 
Way, that I fhall for the future decline all fuch Bufinefs, and defire they would 
accept of my grateful Thanks for the Encouragement they have formerly given me. 
I mutt 
* This was the Donation of Sir Goprrey Corpiey, Bart. who gave a Sum of Money to the Royal 
Society, the Intereft of which he appointed annually to be difpofed of by ‘I'ruftees by him named, 
and after their Deceafe by the Prefident and Council of the Royal Society for the Time being, to any 
Perfon that fhould make any new Difcovery in Ar: or Nature, or perform any ether Work that fhould 
be thought worthy of that Favour. But the Szciety judging it, of late Years, more eligible and honourable 
to give this annual Donation in form of a Medal, than to pay it in Money, caufed a Die to be cut; one 
Side of which has-on it the Donor’s Name, €%c, round it, and in the Middle a Device, wiz. Adinerva, 
with the Symbols of the Sciences at her Feet, holding the Emblem of Nature in her Left Arm, her 
Right Arm being extended with a Wreath of Laurel in her Hand; and on her Shield are the Arms of 
Sir GopFREY. The Reverfe has on it the Arms, Creft, Supporters, Motto, &c. of the Royal Society 
of London. A Copy of this Medal, curioufly engraved, you will fee placed under the General Title of 
this Work, 
