IM Objects and Uses of Meteorology, 



structure of the fluid and solid matter, to an insignificant ex- 

 tent, beneath ; and the nature and phenomena, to a height not 

 exceeding that of the greater inequalities of the surface 

 (themselves so proverbially inconsiderable in comparison with 

 the earth itself) of the ever-moving mass of elastic fluid, or 

 the atmosphere, which rests upon it. But unimportant as 

 these may appear, when compared with the vast bulk of the 

 earth itself, or with the still more stupendous magnitude of 

 the system of worlds of which it forms a part, they compre- 

 hend that region of our own world, in which Man — the 

 being for whom all has been created — is destined to exist ; and 

 they furnish, whether viewed merely in themselves, or in their 

 - 'relations to him, innumerable objects of delightful contem- 

 plation. 



Now, on taking a general view of this our domain in the 

 system, and of the indefinite multitude of objects it presents, 

 we shall find them to consist of two classes ; which, though 

 intimately connected together, as they exist in nature, are, 

 in themselves, perfectly and essentially distinct, — possessing, 

 in fact, opposite attributes. These two classes have been 

 termed, by common consent among naturalists, inorganic 

 bodies, and organic bodies or beings. The former, as their 

 very name indicates, and as is the case with the less perfect 

 subjects of science in general, are distinguished from the latter 

 chiefly by negative qualities. They include the various sub- 

 jects of the mineral kingdom, discriminated in an obvious and 

 especial manner from those of the animal and vegetable king- 

 doms, which constitute the class of organic or organised ex- 

 istences, by not possessing the power of reproducing indi- 

 viduals similar to themselves, and by undergoing increase of 

 size merely in consequence of the addition of fresh matter' 

 Jrom "joithout, not, like plants and animals, by the secretion or 

 production of fresh matter from mthin. These inorganic 

 bodies, it is evident, have been created, and exist, for the sake 

 of the organic departments of nature, as they, in their turn, 

 exist for the sake of Man. The surface of the earth, on which 

 organic beings exist, consists of an aggregation of inorganic 

 substances ; and the same substances, arranged in the most 

 exquisite and harmonious co-ordination, according to the 

 peculiar quality of the life of each being respectively, form the 

 basis of that organisation, or disposition of parts for the 

 reception and manifestation of life, which is the grand cha- 

 racteristic of the higher kingdoms of nature. These truths 

 are so obvious, that they scarcely require illustration; but as 

 every article in the Magazine of Natural History is intended 

 for the perysal of the general reader, as, well as for that of 



