PREFACE. ‘r 
In point of time, Linnaeus ought to have the 
precedence; for he publiffied his ftrft Syilem in 
5735. This was followed by feveral others, vary¬ 
ing conftantly in the arrangement of the animal 
kingdom, even to the laft edition of 1766. It is 
therefore difficult to defend, and drill more ungrate- 
full to drop any reflexion's on a Naturalift, to whom 
we are fo greatly indebted. The variations in his 
different Syftems may have arifen from the new and 
continual difcoveries that are made in the animal 
kingdom ; from his frncere intention of giving his 
Syflrems additional improvements, and perhaps from 
a failing, (unknown indeed to many of his accufers) 
a diffidence in the abilities he had exerted in his 
prior performances. But it mult be allowed, that 
the Naturalift runs too great a hazard in imitating 
his prefent guife ; for in another year he may put on 
a new form, and leave the complying Philofopher 
amazed at the metamorphofls. 
But this is not my only reafon for rejecting the 
fyflrem of this otherwife able Naturalift : There are 
faults^in his arrangement of Mammalia *, that oblige 
me to feparate myfelf, in this one inftance, from his 
crowd of votaries; but that my feceffion may not 
appear the effeX of whim or envy, it is to be hoped 
that the following objeXions will have their weight. 
I rejeX his firft divifton, which he calls Primates , 
or Chiefs of the Creation; becaufe my vanity will 
not fuffer me to rank mankind with Apes*, Monhes , 
* Or animals which have paps and fuckle their young; in which 
elafs are comprehended not only all the genuine quadrupeds, but 
even the cetaceous tribe. 
‘ A 3 
Maucaucos 
