4 THE NATUEALIST. 



The study of nature possesses an incalculable advantage over all 

 secular pursuits, in so far that while it improves and elevates the heart 

 of man, it never palls nor pollutes his senses, and unlike all other worldly 

 callings and recreations, it is relished alike by the youth of tender years 

 and the hoary head of three score and ten. Such being the ennobling 

 tendency of the study of nature in general, and the animal kingdom in 

 particular, why are the labourers in this kingdom so few ? Why are 

 so many standing all their lifetime idle, when there is ample employment 

 for all ? 



The study of Natural History always improves, but never deteriorates 

 the moral perceptions. The greatest and the best of all ages have ever 

 been ardent students and admirers of nature's works, nay, we need not 

 hesitate to state that they in general have been the very benefactors of 

 our race, the true friends of our common humanity. There are two 

 classes of men who more than all others have ever laboured hard and 

 stedfast, in order to secure the moral improvement and social and indi- 

 vidual happiness of mankind — clergymen and physicians — and they per- 

 haps more than all others, have been ardent admirers and untiring 

 investigators of Natural History. From the days of Aristotle to the 

 present time such has been the case, and such will likely continue to be so 

 while time endures. It is however a cheering feature of the present day 

 that, though such men act as generals in this wide field, there is a large 

 army of private soldiers acting in concert, and co-operating with the plans 

 and purposes of their honourable and talented commanders ; such being 

 the case, and having before us the labours and examples of such illustri- 

 ous worthies, let each lover of nature's wonderful works endeavour to 

 enlist the labours and sympathies of others in the contemplation and 

 examination of the infinite number of sentient being^ which traverse the 

 forest, wing the air, glide in the waters, or crawl on the ground. To the 

 christian the study of the great Creator's works ever affords inexpressible 

 delight, and happy, truly happy is he who, while gazing with love and 

 admiration on the vast profusion of beings which tenant the air, the 

 earth, and the ocean, can exclaim with filial love and confidence — 

 " My Father made tlicm all." 



The proprietors and conductors of this new-born serial undoubtedly 

 deserve the support and sympathy of all well-wishers of society, their 

 object and aim have umnistakeably been good, a sincere desire to promote 

 the mental and moral well-being of their fellow men. May they receive 



