6 COMPARISONS OF STEUCTURE IN ANIMALS. 



but slight : our aim is to touch upon points 

 more especially interesting to the general 

 reader ; while, at the same time, we shall 

 endeavour to furnish some illustrations of the 

 wisdom of that great, all-poweriui God, who has 

 condescended to reveal himself to fallen man, 

 not only as the God of nature, but also as the 

 God of providence and grace. 



In the fulfilment of our plan, we shall endea- 

 vour to avoid the use of technical terms, even 

 at the expense of precision of language; for, 

 imless the reader be perfectly familiar mth 

 them, such terms tend to embarrass and per- 

 plex, perhaps even to deter him from pui'suing 

 a subject replete with instruction and well 

 calculated to expand the intellect. 



By way of introduction, it may be desirable 

 to take a brief and general survey of the animal 

 kingdom, in order that some idea may be 

 entertained relative to its extent, and the vast 

 multiplicity and diversity of beings which it 

 comprehends — from man downwards to the 

 microscopic animalcule. 



For every conceivable mode of existence are 

 animals created, and with parts, form, and 

 organization adapted to their several exigencies. 

 Setting man out of the question, highly exalted 



