NATTBALSCIENCIL] INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS. 7 



efforts of the British government, to diffuse this valuable information amongst seafaring persons. The simplest 

 and most economical mode of pursuing private observations will claim our attention, and special instructions will be 

 given to assist those who are desirous of undertaking that interesting occupation. 



From the brief epitome thus presented, it will be observed, that the division of our work treating on Natural 

 Philosophy, will include the different branches of Science which share the description of the laws of inanimate nature. 

 In our progress, a large variety of experiments will be introduced, which will enable the reader to test the truth of 

 the principles or assertions which are laid down. As we have previously remarked, Observation and Experiment are 

 the bases of sound philosophy ; and, as a rule, nothing should be assumed but what can be proved. Our endeavour 

 will be to avoid, as far as possible, the use of technical phraseology ; and where such is absolutely necessary, suffi- 

 cient explanations of the terms so employed will be given, so that the reader will not need to refer to other works for 

 explanation. 



In the second division of the work we shall deal exclusively with those branches of Science which relate to 

 the laws of Organised Bodies. The student will find that his previously acquired knowledge of Experimental 

 Philosophy will be called into practical exercise when he enters into the examination of the phenomena of animal and 

 vegetable life. His acquaintance with Inorganic Chemistry will enable him to examine the variety of substances 

 described in the section on Mineralogy ; and, when collecting specimens, he will find the great value which accrues 

 from the application of chemical analysis and the use of the blow-pipe, in arriving at a knowledge of the constituents 

 of mineral substances. We may here observe, that immense sums have been wasted by otherwise intelligent 

 individuals, who, having discovered what appeared at first sight to be ores of great value, in previously unknown 

 positions, have not been able to apply the laws of Chemical and Geological Science in verification of their opinions. 

 Thus, it has been proposed to search for coal in some parts of Kent and Surrey. The writer was once seriously 

 informed by a lady that she had discovered a " silver mine" on her estate in Essex ; and he can call to mind several 

 instance* where search has been made in different parts of England and Scotland for lead, copper, <fcc., which any 

 geologist would at once have pronounced as sure to prove futile, and with a certainty which would leave no room 

 for conjecture. 



The arrangement of the division on Natural Science, will include Comparative Anatomy, Zoology, Ethnology, 

 Botany, Crystallography, Mineralogy, Physical Geography, and Geology ; and we shall take them in the order we 

 liave named. We do so, because a knowledge of Comparative Anatomy, Zoology, and Botany, is essential to the 

 indent in enabling him to arrange and classify the fossils which form the key-stone of all our geological discoveries. 

 Any person well acquainted with these branches of Natural Science, will have no difficulty in at once ascertaining the 

 period at which any strata of the earth's crust he may meet with haa been formed. Indeed, fossils have been 

 expressively called the " medals of creation." 



Under the head of Comparative Anatomy, we shall describe the form, size, and number of the bones which are 

 found in skeletons of different organised beings. This branch of Natural Science is of the deepest interest to every 

 lover of nature; and to Professor Owen (the Cuvier of Great Britain) we owe a vast accession of knowledge 

 respecting the relationship which exists between each class of extinct and living species. 



The object of Ethnology is to trace the characteristics of what have been called the "races" of men. With 

 respect to this term, Dr. Latham well remarks, "that all the varieties of man are referable to a single species;" and, 

 for that reason, he defines Ethnology as the " Science of Varieties." 



Under the head of Zoology, it will be oar duty to trace the Natural History of animal creatures, from the 

 lowest to the highest species. Their production, growth, characteristics, will be inquired into ; and the subject 

 will be made of popular interest by the introduction of anecdotes, illustrating the instinct of many of the 

 Mammalia, ic. 



From Animal Life we descend to that of the Vegetable Kingdom. In this, with but trifling exceptions, we 

 lose all sign of the power of locomotion. We perceive a cellular structure, and the circulation of sap ; each of which 

 is analogous to the bone and blood of the animal The student who has not already become acquainted with Botany, 

 wiQ at first imagine that the variety of vegetable productions is like that of the mineral kingdom, almost infinite. 

 But Botany, like Chemistry, systematise! our observations : and thus, as we find but sixty or seventy elementary 

 bodies by the aid of chemical analysis ; so, by using the arrangements which Botanical Science affords us, we are 

 enabled to arrive at a classification of every tree, plant, and flower. 



Leaving all trace of life, we descend to the lowest rank in creative results, but still find abundant objects for 

 tiuiy and reflection. Crystallography opens out an astonishing evidence of design, by showing that inanimate sub-' 

 stances have specified forms of their own. Thus it matters not in what part of the world we find a grain of quartz, 

 nitre, or common salt we shall discover that an exact and undeviating crystalline form is possessed by it. We shall 

 find a knowledge of Geometry of essential value in this branch of our studies ; indeed, we shall do no violence to 

 truth, if we call Crystallography the geometry of inanimate matter. 



Having mastered the details of the last subject, we shall be enabled to study with advantage the facts of 

 Mineralogy a subject of great interest, and of the highest importance in an economical and commercial point of 

 view. This section will afford a detailed description of most known minerals ; the places in which they have been 

 discovered ; their crystallographic forms, <tc. Those of our readers who may have access to the British Museum, 

 will find an account of nearly all the minerals contained in the collections, at that institution. 



GEOLOGY the last subject on which we shall treat has for its object the explanation of the various causes 

 which have changed or modified the appearance and nature of the crust of our earth. Of all branches of Science, 

 except Astronomy, this has been a source of the fiercest contention on the part of speculatists of every school. The 

 emlous but hasty Christian philosopher has called in its facts to prove hia views j and the sceptic has employed 



