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PREFACE. 
creation * : Such is his eloquence, that we forget 
the exuberant manner he treats each fubjeX, and 
the reflexions he often calls on other Writers •, 
the creation of his own gay fancy f. Having 
in his own mind a comprehenfive view of every ani¬ 
mal, he unfortunately Teems to think it beneath him 
to (hackle his lively fpirit with fyilematic arrange¬ 
ment * 3 fo that the Reader is forced to wander thro 3 
numbers of volumes in fearch of any wifhed-fcr (ob¬ 
ject. The rnifunderdanding between thefe two able 
Naturalitxs is mod injurious to fcience. The French 
Philosopher fcarce mentions the Suede , but to treat 
him, with contempt ; Linnaeus^ in return, never 
deigns even to quote M. de Bujfon , notwithdanding 
he mud know' what ample lights he might have 
drawn from him. 
1 (hall in a few words mention the plan that is 
followed in the prefent didribution of quadrupeds, 
and at the fame time (hall clarne but a fm'all Share.' 
of originality. 
I.copy Mr. Ray, iu his greater divifions of ani¬ 
mals into hoofed , and digitated ; but, after the man¬ 
ner of Mr. Klein, form feparate genera of the Rhi¬ 
noceros^ Hippopoiame , Bapiir and Mu fie. The Camel 
being a ruminating animal, "wanting the upper fore¬ 
teeth, and having the rudiments of hoofs, is placed 
* For the anatomical part in the province of M. JD’ Aubentcn. 
f This is not advanced without realon : But, -from our regard 
to a G fen deman wfiofe abilities we refpeft, we forbear,producing 
our proofs; not doubting, but wheti he "has had time to recollect 
Ycif, he will, by a recantation of a. certain grols mifreprefenta.- 
t u_, c6nvince the Fublick that his candor is not inferior to his. 
teaming and genius. 
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