PREFACE. XI 



more worthy of attainment, than that of the 

 order and beauty of the Ahnighty's works ; 

 except a knowledge of the Great Creator, 

 and of the relative duties to the performance 

 of which, we, his creatures, are bound by so 

 many ties of gratitude and filial love : — if 

 we admit this, it follows, that we do not 

 waste our time, when we devote the portion 

 of it which is allotted to relaxation from 

 more severe and necessary employment, to 

 such edifying contemplations^ such engaging 

 studies, as those suggested by the book of 

 Nature. 



Tlie method which has been adopted, to 

 create a general taste for pursuits, once con- 

 sidered as almost confined to the profes- 

 sional student, or the practical collector, 

 has been the very best which could be de- 

 b2 



