PREFACE

Summary

The following work was originally intended for private amufement, and as an Index, for the more ready turning to any particular animal in the voluminous hiftory of quadrupeds by the late Comte De Buffon: But as it fwelled by degrees to a fize beyond my firft expectation, in the end I was determined to fling it into its prefent form, and to ufher it into the world.

The prefent edition has prefumed to alter its title of Synopsis to that of History; not only on account of the vaft additions it has received, by favour of my friends, but likewife to prevent confufion among fuch who may think them worthy of the honor of quotation.

The Synopfis of our illuftrious countryman, Mr. Ray, has been long out of print; and though, from his enlarged knowledge and great induftry one might well fuppofe his Work would for fome time difcourage all further attempts of the fame fort, yet a republication of that Synopfis would not have anfwered our prefent defign: For, living at a period when the ftudy of Natural Hiftory was but beginning to dawn in thefe Kingdoms, and when our contracted Commerce deprived him of many lights we now enjoy, he was obliged to content himfelf with giving defcriptions of the few Animals brought over here, and collecting the reft of his materials from other Writers.