PREFACE. 
works; in fhort, one who thinks every thing 
excellent, that owes its formation to her fkil- 
ful hand. Nor is this a forced and imaginary 
defcription, but a real character; and we need 
only take a tranlient view of fome of thofe 
creatures, with which all parts of the earth are 
fo plentifully ftored, in order to be convinced 
of the juftnefs of it. For whether we regard 
their elegance, and beauty; or confider their 
fitnefs to anfwer thofe purpofes, for which they 
were defigned; in both thefe refpeds we fhall 
find, that the „ fmallefi: creatures are perfed in 
their kind, and carry about them as ftrong 
marks of infinite wifdom and power, as the 
greateft. How many curious animals inhabit 
the air, and what numbers traverfe the deep 
waters ! The whole earth is full of life ; there 
not being a fingle tree, plant, or flower, but 
what affords food and fheiter to a fpecies of 
inhabitants peculiar to itfelf. And then if we 
call in the afiiflance of art, what a new fcene 
of wonder opens to our view ? What an infi¬ 
nite variety of living creatures prefent them- 
felves to our fight ? Indeed their extream mi- 
nutenefs may at firffc feem a jufl: argument for 
that low opinion, which too many are apt to 
entertain of them ; however, if we examine 
A 4 them 
