PREFACE.
THE References to Theophrastus, and Quotations from him, fo frequent in the Works of all the later Writers of Foſſils, would make one believe, nothing was more univerſally known, or perfectly underſtood, than the Treatiſe before us: But when we enquire into the Truth, we ſhall find, that though no Author is ſo often quoted, few are ſo little underſtood; or, indeed, have been ſo little read: Thoſe who are free with his Name, having given themſelves little Trouble about his Works, and only taken upon truſt from one another, what was originally
quoted from him by Pliny. As to
that
