TATHAM'S (Dr.) Chart and Scale of Voyage fur le Rhin depuis Mayence
Truth,
29, 156 jufqu'a Duffeldorf,

Terentia, a Novel,

352

Thoughts on the Origin and Excellence of Regal Government,

358 on the Propriety of fixing

Easter Term,

-on Civilization,

ibid.

468

Tindall's Juvenile Excurfions in Literature and Critic fm,

Toulmin's Hiftory of Iaunton,

115

66

0107

Sermon on the Meaning

of the word Mystery, Tracks (various) concerning the Peerage of Scotland, Tranfactions of the Linnæan Society, 58 Vol. I

I

Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, 1789,

13

Tria. between Martin and Petrie for
Crim. Con.

119

Triumphs of Reafon,

357

Turner's Account of the Syftem of
Education used at a Seminary for
the Admiffion of Pupils,
Two Poems, or Songs,

119

235

VINDICATION of the Ufe of Sugar, 238 of the Revolution Society against the Calumnies of Mr.

Burke,

349

ㄓˊ

Tranfactions of the Linnean Society. Vol. I. 4to. 18s. Boards. White and Son. 1791.

THE

"HE poffeffors of the Linnean collection confider, very properly, that with it the task of cherishing the author's fame. and defending his fyftem has devolved. They do not decline it; and, while as natural hiftorians, in general, they confefs his merits, they feem to feel the more intimate connection, which excites their zeal and adds to their ardour. Though botanical investigations are scarcely adapted to the difcuffion of a Journal, and we are obliged to confine ourselves to general accounts; yet we shall endeavour to give our philofophical readers fome adequate idea of the contents of this first volume of the Linnean Tranfactions..

The Introduction of the Prefident explains more particularly the objects of the Society, and the defigns of its inftitutors; nor must we be blamed for haftening to the conclufion, fince it forms the most proper introduction to the volume before us.

It now only remains for me to point out what I conceive to he the peculiar objects of our prefent inftitution. I need not enforce the propriety of each of us endeavouring to promote as much as poffible the main ends of our undertaking, and to contribute all in our power to the general stock of knowledge. Thefe are indifpenfable obligations upon all who affociate themfelves with any litetary fociety. Thofe who do not comply with them incur difgrace inftead of honour, for a title is but a reproach to those who do not deferve it; nor can they have a share in the reputation of a society, who never in any manner contributed to its advancement.

Befides an attention to natural history in general, a peculiar regard to the productions of our own country may be expected from us. We have yet much to learn concerning many plants, which authors copy from one another as the produce of Great Britain, but which few have feen; and our animal productions are still lefs anderstood. Whatever relates to the hiftory of thefe, their economy in the general plan of nature, or their ufe to man in partia CRIT. REV. N. AR. (IV). Jan, 1792. cular,

B

cular, is a proper object for our enquiries. Of the productions of our own country we ought to make ourselves perfectly mafters, as no natural object can any where be ftudied half fo well as in its native foil. This however not being always practicable, botanic gardens and cabinets of natural history have been invented, in which the productions of the moft diftant climes are brought at once before us. No country that I know of can bear a comparison with England in this refpect. The royal garden at Kew is undoubtedly the first in the world, and we have a number of others, both public and private, each of which may vie with the most celebrated gardens of other countries. Nor have we a lefs decided fuperiority in cabinets. That of the British Mufeum, which contains among other things the original herbariums of Sloane, Plukenet, Petiver, Kæmpfer, Boerhaave, of many of the difciples of Ray, and feveral others, befides innumerable treasures of zoology, claims the first place. That of the late fir Afhton Lever stands I believe unrivalled in birds and quadrupeds; not to mention many others. But is it not a reproach to the naturalifts of Great Britain that fo many rarities fhould remain in their hands undefcribed? that foreigners fhould eagerly catch at one or two plants obtained from our gardens, which we for years have been trampling under foot unnoticed? Yet how, till now, could fuch nondefcripts have been made public? Large works in natural history are expensive and of hazardous fale; few private people can undertake them; nor has there hitherto been any fociety to which detached defcriptions could be communicated. It is altogether incompatible with the plan of the Royal Society, engaged as it is in all the branches of philofophy, to enter into the minutiae of natural history; fuch an inflitution therefore as ours is abfolutely neceffary, to prevent all the pains and expence of collectors, all the experience of cultivators, all the remarks of real obfervers, from being loft to the world. The flightest piece of information which may tend to the advancement of the fcience we fhould thankfully receive. However trifling in itself, yet combined with other facts, it may become important."

But nothing will be with more reafon expected from the members of this fociety than a strict attention to the laws and principles of Linnæus, fo far as they have been found to be good. No where have his works been more ftudied and applied to practice than in this country, nor can any other be fo competent to estimate his merits or correct his defects. I am perfuaded nothing can be done more useful to the science of natural history than, working on the publications of this illuftrious man as a foundation, to endeavour to give them that perfection of which they are capable, and to in Corporate with them all new difcoveries. We who have it in our

3

power