118 STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



prosecution, require the higher energies of the 

 human mind. That it is truly of this description, 

 might be readily inferred ; for the works of nature 

 are much more difficult to understand than those 

 of man. Yet, did we at once expatiate on the deep 

 research necessary to acquire proficiency, — did we 

 detail the many and varied acquirements essential to 

 a high cultivation of the science, — we might possibly 

 frighten those away, of whom we should otherwise 

 have made disciples. We prefer, therefore, a more 

 agreeable and a more inviting course. As our Series 

 of discourses upon Nature is intended to be element- 

 ary, we shall commence from the lowest step, and 

 gradually ascending, conduct the student from the 

 leading principles of all sound knowledge in this de- 

 partment, to an acquaintance with its details. Let 

 us now, therefore, regard natural history rather as a 

 recreation than as a science, — as a pursuit for the 

 man of leisure, and a relaxation for the man of 

 business : we will consider it also as the means of 

 acquiring and preserving health, and as a source of 

 pleasure to the valetudinarian. 



(65.) The study of Nature can never be so well 

 or so delightfully prosecuted as in her own haunts, 

 " remote from cities." Hence it is, that no pursuit 

 can be better adapted for a country life. We are 

 then, as it were, in the boundless temple of Nature, 

 and we explore her truths in all its various recesses. 

 The tediousness of a country life is proverbial ; but 

 did we ever hear this complaint from a naturalist ? — 

 Never. Every man who in his walks derives interest 

 from the works of creation — who looks to the habits, 

 the instincts, and the forms of animals — and who 



