PREFACE. 



THE study of Nature is the basis of Religion; and 

 in the primitive ages of the world, previous to the 

 epoch of revelation, mankind had no other guide 

 to direct them to a knowledge of the existence and 

 attributes of the Deity, than the contemplation of 

 his works. These, indeed, exhibited such evident 

 proofs of his power, his wisdom, and his goodness, 

 as were sufficient to convince rational creatures, 

 that a self-existent and infinite Being was the 

 source and origin of all existence. This St. Paul 

 so well understood, that he condemns the Gentiles, 

 because, after having recognised the Supreme 

 Being in the works of the creation, they neglected 

 to worship him, and considers them as inexcus- 

 able ; " Because," says he, " the invisible things of 

 Him from the creation of the world are clearly 

 seen, being understood by the things that are made, 

 even his eternal power and Godhead." 



After the decision of so great an authority, the 

 propriety of introducing the study of Natural His- 

 tory into the system of juvenile education, can 

 scarcely be called in question. It is, indeed, of the 

 utmost importance, to exhibit to the youthful mind 

 a view of the wonderful works of God, in order to 

 inspire exalted notions of his essence, his attri- 

 butes, and his agency, in the formation and dispo- 



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