SIM ON NATURAL HISTORY. 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



By John Sim, A. B. S. Ed. 



There is no subject which presents more attractions to the mind 

 of man, than the study and investigation of his great Creator's handy- 

 works. The extent and universality of Nature's vast empire, places the 

 study of Natural History in a greater or less degree within the reach of 

 all. It would be well were the desire commensurate with the opportunity ; 

 such, alas, is not the case, else long ere now much that is hidden and 

 obscure, would have been lucid as a sunbeam. Did the careless and 

 unthinking, the hoarders of gold and silver, and the votaries of worldly 

 pleasure, conceive for a moment the intense, lasting, pure and unalloyed 

 enjoyment derived from the examination of objects of Natural History, 

 they would abandon their unsatisfactory pursuits, and embrace with 

 alacrity, and pursue with zeal and ardour, those studies which have ever 

 been pursued and admired by the great and the good of all ages. 



The immense multitude of objects everywhere spread around us is 

 generally divided into three great departments, commonly designated 

 kingdoms, viz. — the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral ; the two first com- 

 prising the organic, the latter the inorganic, or animate and inanimate 

 portions of material nature. Natural History, properly speaking, includes 

 the history of each, but is now more generally applied to that section 

 which treats of the nature, classification, habits, habitations, &c., of animals 

 only ; embracing all the various forms and species of animated beings, 

 from the mammoth imbedded in Siberian ice, to the infusorial monad 

 of our stagnant waters. The vast domain of nature can never be fully 

 explored, her attractive resources being infinite and inexhaustible. This 

 consideration, so far from intimidating her votaries, ought to act as a 

 powerful stimulant to their exertions, forasmuch as they know that there 

 is ample employment for all, however manifold the discoveries, however 

 extensive the investigations. The Naturalist ought ever to bear in mind 

 that in science, as in armies, there are pioneers as well as generals, men 

 who clear the way and remove obstacles as effectually in their own sphere, 

 as they who have conquering legions at command. The great field of 

 nature is sufiiciently spacious to afford ample and constant employment 

 for all who take pleasure therein. 



