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vi Editors, though fully enible of the propriety of adopting the preent plan, were not aware of the length of time neceary for the execution, but engaged to begin the publication too early. However, by the remontrances of the Compilers, the publication was delayed for twelve months. Still time was wanted. But the ubcribers puhed the Editors, and they at lat peruaded the Compilers to conent to the publication. If time had been allowed, the Compilers deigned to have compleated the ciences before proceeding to the technical terms; and by that means to have guarded againt omiions, and made all the references from the terms to the ciences more particular. The conequence was unavoidable. All the references to any cience that occur in the alphabet previous to the name of the cience itself, are general: thoe that follow are particular; pointing out, not only the name of the cience, but the number of the page.

mut further acknowledge, that, in ome intances, we have deviated from the general plan; but, we hope, not without reaon. For example, under the words Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition/Botany and Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition/Natural History, it would have been an endles, and perhaps an ueles talk, to have given the generic ditinctions of every plant, and of every animal. Thee are to be found under the names of the plants and animals themelves. The ame obervation may be made with repect to Mineralogy, Materia Medica, Pathology, Phyiology, and Therapeutics. Thee are o interwoven with Anatomy, Botany, Chemitry, and Medicine, that, in a work of this kind, it was almot impoible, without many unneceary repetitions, to treat them as ditinct ciences. Indeed, properly peaking, they are not ciences, but parts or acceories of ciences, which, by the dexterity of teachers and authors, have been long exhibited under that form.

regard to errors in general, whether falling under the denomination of mental, typographical, or accidental, we arc concious of being to point out a greater number than any critic whatever. Men who are acquainted with the innumerable difficulties attending the execution of a work of uch an extenive nature will make proper allowances. To thee we appeal, and shall ret atified with the judgment they pronounce.

order to give ome idea of the materials of which this Dictionary is compoed, we hall conclude the preface with a lit of the principal authors made ue of in the compilation.