The Epistle
I am not ſo vain as to think that I have here completely finiſhed this great undertaking, with all the advantages of which ſuch a deſign is capable. Nor on the other hand, am I ſo diffident of this Eſſay, as not to believe it ſufficient for the buſineſs to which it pretends, namely the diſtinct expreſſion of all things and notions that fall under diſcourſe.
I am ſenſible of ſundry defects in the ſeverall parts of this Book: And therefore would make my humble motion to your Lordſhip and this Society, that you would by your Order appoint ſome of our number, thoroughly to examin & conſider the whole, and to offer their thoughts concerning what they judge fit to be amended in it. Particularly in thoſe Tables that concerne the ſpecies of Natural bodies; which, if they were (ſo far as they are yet known and diſcovered) diſtinctly reduced and deſcribed, This would very much promote and facilitate the knowledg of Nature, which is one great end of your Inſtitution. And beſides, the ranging of theſe things into ſuch an order as the Society ſhall approve, would afford a very good method for your Repoſitory, both for the diſpoſal of what you have already, and the ſupplying of what you want, towards the compleating of that Collection, ſo generouſly begun of late, by the bounty of Mr. Daniel Collwal, a worthy Member of this Society. And by this means, I ſhould not doubt, but that in a very ſhort ſpace, you would have the moſt uſefull Repoſitory in the World.
It is no eaſie undertaking to Enumerate all ſuch matters as are to be provided for in ſuch a deſign; But the buſineſs of Defining, being amongſt all others the moſt nice and difficult, muſt needs render it a very hard taſk for any one to attempt the doing of this, for all kinde of
