HOLOTHURIA. 17 



CHAPTER I. 



ECHINODERMATA. 



The peculiar object of the present treatise, is to render some of the 

 natural productions of Scotland more familar to its inhabitants, and 

 better understood than they have been hitherto. 



Enthusiasm in favour of our native soil, and of our favourite pursuits, 

 may kindle a glow which warms us into undue partiaUty for certain sub- 

 jects, — above their true importance in Uterature and their value to man- 

 kind. We may thus rate them too highly, and dwell on them too long. 

 If so, let us appeal to the lil)eral for indulgence of an innocent weakness. 



But, to penetrate the history of creatures so far removed from our- 

 selves as the humbler tribes of the creation, is an arduous task. Until 

 the more recent investigations of science, few have adventured on it. 

 Such living tenants of the globe have been scarcely acknowledged as the 

 Divine works ; many were beheld with contempt, some with abhorrence, 

 — all were neglected. 



Yet the inquisitive student of Nature is not to be discouraged in 

 his ardent thu-st for knowledge. What although he has to ascend rocks 

 and mountains, to dip into cavities of the earth, or to explore the depths 

 of the ocean, if he is rewarded by the fruits of research. It is the pe- 

 rishable condition of life he has more seriously to contend with. He 

 must find a safe and salubrious abode for his objects ; he must ascertain 

 their proper sustenance, and avert their enemies. He must replace the 

 loss he sustains by casualties, by accident, disease, and death ; thence 

 multiplying his observations by unwearied diligence, until the solution 



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