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IN diſpoſing the order of the following work, we have not thought it neceſſary to confine ourſelves ſtrictly within the rules preſcribed by ſyſtematic writers on this part of Natural Hiſtory ; as it was not ſo much the object of our plan to lay down a methodical arrangement of the various tribes of four-footed animals, as to give a clear and conciſe account of the nature, habits, and diſpoſition of each, accompanied with more accurate repreſentations than have hitherto appeared in any work of this kind. Our diſregard of ſyſtem, however, has not prevented us from attending to the great diviſions of Quadrupeds, ſo obviouſly marked out by the hand of Nature, and ſo clearly diſtinguiſhed, that the moſt careleſs obſerver cannot avoid being forcibly ſtruck with an agreement of parts in the outward appearance of the different individuals of which it conſiſts.

The intermediate ſtations, however, have not been always ſo clearly defined; theſe are frequently occupied by characters ſo dubious, that naturaliſts have not always agreed in aſcribing to each its proper place: Of this kind are the Elephant, the Hippopotamus, the Rhinoceros, the Cameleopard, the Beaver, the Hedge-hog, the Sloth, the Jerboa, &c. which bear in themſelves characteriſtics ſo peculiar, that they might ſeem to conſtitute diſtinſt genera.

We have endeavoured to lay before our readers a particular account of the animals with which our own country is abundantly ſtored, eſpecially of thoſe which ſo materially contribute to the ſtrength, the wealth, and the happineſs of this kingdom; of theſe the Horſe, the Cow, and the Sheep, claim the firſt place; and in treating of theſe, we have noticed the improvements which an enlarged ſyſtem of agriculture, ſupported by a