Chapter II: Introduction

Remarks on the Estimation in which Natural History is held
at the present Day, and on its Importance--Men are more
conversant with Nature in uncivilized Life--The original
State of Man, and his progressive Acquisition of
Knowledge--General View of the Objects of Natural History:
the Earth's Surface and Structure, the Ocean, the
Atmosphere, Plants, and Animals--Definition of Mineralogy,
Botany, and Zoology--Sketch of the Progress of Zoology: four
Eras distinguished, as marked by the Names of Aristotle,
Pliny, Linnaeus, and Cuvier, 17

ARISTOTLE.