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The PREFACE.

Upon my arrival at Charles Town Now Charleston, South Carolina., I waited on General Nicholson Francis Nicholson (1655–1728) was a veteran colonial official who was serving as the first royal governor of South Carolina at the time of Catesby's arrival., then Governour of that Province, who received me with much Kindness, and continued his Favours during my Stay in that Country. Nor could I excuse my self of Ingratitude without acknowledging the hospitable and kind Entertainment In the 18th century, "entertainment" referred to the hospitality, food, and lodging provided to a guest. I generally met with amongst the Gentlemen of the Country, which much contributed to the Facilitating the Work I went about.

As I arrived at the beginning of the Summer I unexpectedly found this Country possessed not only with all the Animals and Vegetables of Virginia, but abounding with even a greater Variety. The inhabited Parts of Carolina extend West from the Sea about 60 Miles, and almost the whole Length of the Coast, being a level, low Country. In these Parts I continued the first Year searching after, collecting and describing the Animals and Plants. I then went to the Upper uninhabited Parts of the Country, and continued at and about Fort Moore A strategic trading post and garrison on the Savannah River, located near what is now Beech Island, South Carolina, across from Augusta, Georgia., a small Fortress on the Banks of the River Savanna The Savannah River., which runs from thence a Course of 300 Miles down to the Sea, and is about the same Distance from its Source, in the Mountains.

I was much delighted to see Nature differ in these Upper Parts, and to find here abundance of Things not to be seen in the Lower Parts of the Country; this encouraged me to take several Journeys with the Indians higher up the Rivers, towards the Mountains, which afforded not only a Succession of new vegetable Appearances, but most delightful Prospects imaginable, besides the Diversion of Hunting Buffalo's The American Bison, which was still found in the Southeast during the early 1700s., Bears, Panthers Likely the North American cougar or mountain lion., and other wild Beasts. In these Excursions I employ'd an Indian to carry my Box, in which, besides Paper and Materials for Painting, I put dry'd Specimens of Plants, Seeds, &c. ----- as I gather'd them. To the Hospitality and Assistance of these Friendly Indians, I am much indebted, for I not only subsisted on what they shot, but their First Care was to erect a

Upon my arrival at Charles-town, I paid my respects to General Nicholson, who was then Governor of the Province; he received me with much kindness, and continued to treat me the same during my stay in this country. I could not clear myself of ingratitude, if I did not witness my gratitude for the hospitality and the honest manners that I found in the majority of the principal inhabitants, which greatly facilitated my design.

As I arrived at the very beginning of the summer, I found, against my expectation, that this country had not only all the animals and vegetables of Virginia, but even had a greater variety. The part of Carolina which is inhabited extends from the sea toward the west about 60 miles, and almost the entire length of the coast; it is a low and level country. I stayed there the first year, occupying myself with seeking, gathering, and describing the animals and plants. Then I advanced into the uninhabited part, and stayed some months at Fort Moore, or in the surroundings; it is a small fortress situated on the banks of the Savanna River; it is three hundred miles from there to the sea, and in going back up to its source in the mountains there is no less distance.

I was charmed to find in these quarters the productions of nature so different; and an infinity of things, which were not met with in the lower part of these countries. This encouraged me to undertake several journeys with the Indians toward the mountains while going back up the rivers, where I had the pleasure of seeing successively new vegetable phenomena, and the most charming views that the imagination could form, besides the diversion of hunting buffalo, wild boars original: "Sangliers". Note: The English column says "Bears," but the French translation specifies wild boars, which were feral descendants of European hogs., panthers, and other wild beasts. In these excursions I made use of an Indian to carry a small chest, in which besides paper and what is necessary for drawing, I put dried plants, seeds and everything that I gathered. To the hospitality,