iv TO THE READER. 
Ir is not material, neither would it be of fer- 
vice to tell the world, what led me at firft into 
fuch an acquaintance, (though very remarkable) 
with thefe little creatures, whofe wonderful parts 
and properties are fo many evident proofs of the 
infinite power and wifdom of the Creator. 
Tuey have ever {ince been an agreeable amufe- 
ment to me, and the delightful employment of 
my leifure hours. 
Bur as | never was ambitious of being an 
author, I fhould not have publifhed thefe fheets, 
were I not well fatisfed that the public good 
would be promoted, and thefe profitable crea- 
tures preferved to their owners, which are now 
annually deftroyed, through want of knowledge 
in the Pighageiugne of them. 
Tuave carefully perufed feveral of our Ene 
glifh writers of the greateft efteem, obviated ma- 
ny of their errors, and collected what I apprehend. 
ed moft material and ufeful in them, 
Provipep the reader will but diligently at- 
tend to, and purfue the directions given in the 
Jatter part of the book, for preferving the lives 
of 
