On the Study of Watural History. 
A PAPER READ AT THE ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE OF THE 
SOCIETY IN APRIL LAST, BY THE SECRETARY. 
———— 
“ God fulfils Himself in many ways.” 
me study of Natural History may be looked at from two 
points of view; we may regard it either as affording pleasure 
to the senses and gratification to the mind; or as tending to be 
practically useful in the economy of our lives. It is now closely 
followed up by the holders of each of these views, and none of 
either class have ever repented the study. Nature herself is so 
infinite and varied in all her productions, that though she has had 
disciples ever since man appeared on the earth, she retains, even 
now, after the lapse of thousands of years, the same freshening 
influence, the same charm hanging about her works, which acts 
with such an irresistible force upon the neophyte, and urges him 
to travel onwards. It is not my intention now to refer at all to 
the advantages derived from the study by those holding the 
second view; we are assembled here as we have been at other 
times, simply from a love of Nature, with a desire so to look upon 
created works, that we may find “‘life and food for future years.”’ 
To many I may say nothing new; to some I may probably be 
able to place some old facts or thoughts in a new light; but I 
shall be amply repaid if I succeed in making only one more eager 
in his or her pursuits in the woods and fields—more desirous of 
following out thoroughly that which at present is taken up only 
in a desultory manner. 
