Natural History of Fossils, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from A Natural History of Fossils, Vol. 1 In the Year 1752, I published proposals for printing by subscription, A Natural History of Fossils, digested from materials which I had compiled, during a series of years, wherein I had been closely engaged in these studies. As the prosecution of the work was necessarily attended with great expence, I was obliged to apply for subscriptions, but on the most moderate advance, as the public already had too much reason to be tired with proposals of this nature. Tho' the assistance I have hitherto received in this manner, is far from supporting the expence, yet, that I might not be wanting to those gentlemen who have favoured me with their subscriptions, I have published so much of the work, as the assistance I have received would enable me to do: the rest is ready for the press, and will be published with speed, proportioned to the generosity of those who think such researches worthy of encouragement. In regard to the work, no pains or expence have been spared to render it as compleat as my abilities would permit: I have endeavoured to reduce this study, hitherto deficient in respect of method, to a regular science, and in the attempt have been careful neither to multiply the species, nor lessen their number, unnecessarily. To each genus besides general observations, definitions or characteristics are adjoined, to which I have scrupulously adhered. I have added to the description of each species, the synonyma of authors, which, to avoid confusion, are placed in the order of time when they flourished. Foreign parts where these substances are principally found, are specified in particular, with the name of the province, principality, or town; a circumstance that has been omitted by former writers, who commonly content themselves with mentioning the country in general, as Italy, Germany, France, &cc. and indeed where it happens that any Fossil abounds throughout a whole country, such a general account is sufficient. I have at present but slightly touched upon the places in this island, famous for the Fossils; because they will be more fully considered in the Lithographia Britannica intended to be subjoined to this work. To the descriptions are added historical facts, critical and other observations, which, 'tis hoped, will not be thought unnecessary, or foreign to the subject. As I have availed myself of the labours and discoveries of preceding writers, so they have been faithfully quoted; and, however I may differ from them in option, I have endeavoured to treat them with a becoming regard. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.