gntroDuction* 



How woad'rous is this scene ! where all is form'd 

 With number, weight and measure! all desigu'd 

 For some great end! where not alone the plant 

 Of stately growth; the herb of glorious hue. 

 Or foodful substance ; not the labouring steed. 

 The herd, and flock that feeds us ; not the mine 

 That yields us stores for elegaucc and use; 

 The sea that loads our tables ; and conveys 

 The wanderer man from clime to clime ; with all 

 Those rolling spheres, that from on high shed dowB 

 Their kindly influence : not these alone, 

 Which strike ev'n eyes incurious; but each Most 

 Each Shell, each crawling Insect, holds a rank 

 Important in the plan of Him who framed 

 This scale of beings, hold a rank, which lost 

 Wou'd break the chain, and leave behind a gap 



Which nature's self would rue. 



Stilli.vgfleet. 



Ti 



HE advantages arising from the study of Natural 

 History, being so important, vre cease to wonder that mea 

 possessed of great mental discernment, should have devoted 

 their time and attention to endeavour by promoting the 

 knowledge of its different branches, to add to the comforts 

 and happiness of their fellow men. To insist on the benefits 

 derived from only a partial or superficial acquaintance 

 with the subjects, must be esteemed unnecessary, as our 

 food, clothing, and every domestic convenience, are all 

 derived from one or other branch of this science. 



B 



