24 THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



arisen and is preserved. To the enjoyment of 

 this privilege, in so far as the knowledge of the 

 principal chemical phenomena of nature is con- 

 cerned, it is intended that the present work 

 shall Assist the reader. 



Place we ourselves then in such a scene.* On 

 all sides but one, the rugged forms of ancient 

 rocks project into the sky, their summits capped 

 with meagre herbage, and their sides the 

 occasional resting places of some mountain- 

 flower. The roar of a cascade, formed by the 

 accumulated waters shed from the hills in the 

 distance, comes every now and then upon the 

 ear. ' Above is the blue stretch of an almost 

 unclouded sky. As the eye travels toward the 

 horizon through the opening already alluded to, 

 it sweeps over many miles of fertile land adorned 

 with trees or yellow with corn, and enlivened 

 by an occasional traveller, or by herds of cattle, 

 until it rests upon the blue line of the ocean in 

 the extreme distance. Here let us take our 

 stand, and in the spirit of observation of which 

 we have spoken, let us bring under review the 

 interesting matters for chemical discourse pre- 

 sented to us by such a spot. 



In so doing it is our intention to take up in 

 succession the chemistry of the inorganic, the 

 animal, and the vegetable kingdoms of nature, so 

 * Vide the Frontispiece to this Part. 



