X PREFACE. 



should prove popular, to them much of the meed of praise 

 is due. I have written chiefly for the young ; and while I 

 have wished to smooth for them the entrance into this de- 

 lightful field of Natural Science, I have sought to give a 

 good moral tone to the book, that they may look " through 

 Nature up to Nature's God/' remembering that the God 

 of Nature is also the God of Grace. He has given us the 

 " book of books" to make us wise unto salvation ; but He 

 has given us also the book of Nature, making it accessible 

 to all ; and in many a delightful page of it does He plainly 

 say, " Come, see the works of my hand, so full of wonders, 

 and so well-fitted to show forth my praise." 



" Every leaf in every nook, 

 Every wave in every brook, 

 Every Polype from its cell 

 In sea-rock pool or crystal well, 

 Chanting with a solemn voice, 

 Minds us of our better choice." 



KEBLE. 



Gibraltar, June 22, 1852. 



