I can truly and gratefully assert, that so noble a patronage was never before granted to any work of science of this extent and character, — the pat- ronage, indeed, not of an individual, or of a government, but of a nation.

The generosity of the subscription, however, forces me to appear backward towards the subscribers, for it is impossible to print the plates for twenty-five hundred copies in the same time that would have sufficed for a thousand.

It has, on that account, been suggested to me to make transfers, in order to multiply the plates from which the impressions can be taken, and thus to accelerate the printing, which, for plates so highly finished as -xrx % those of this work, must all be done by hand.

But, admirable as the process of transfers is for many purposes, it In " ° f"" justice to a plate in wliitdi the utmost accuracy of details is essential; and it is my ambition to offer to everj subscriber a volume which shall be in everj way as perfect in execution as the first that is struck off.

I would also add, that, according to the circular published at the time the subscription was proposed, the plates have been greatly increased in number, and that the figures have been crowded to the utmost upon each plate ; so much so, that the first volume, now about to be.