Excerpt from A Popular Guide to the Observation of Nature: Or, Hints of Inducement to the Study of Natural Productions and Appearances, in Their Connexions and Relations Perhaps it may be more candid than wise in an author to express doubts respecting his own book but the public deserves candour from every author, and gratitude from one who has been previously heard with attention and kindness. On the present occasion, I feel an embarrass ment, which I have not previously' felt upon ushering any of my little publications into the world. Hitherto, whatever of strength or weak ness I have possessed, I have stood alone in it; so that whatever of censure I may have merited could only fall upon myself. Now, however, I am merely making a little addition to a series con taining the labours of many authors; and that may suggest comparisons, the test of which Imay be ill able to abide. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.