20 NATURAL HISTORY 



the intellectual thrones which they occupied. One 

 of them studied the heavens ; another brought liv- 

 ing forms from the dead bones of Montmartre ; the 

 other has scanned the various aspects of nature in 

 every clime, and still lives a companion of kings, 

 and an honor to the race.* They were not wholly 

 made what they were by the study of nature, but 

 the giant intellects which God gave them, found 

 in the study of nature adequate employment and 

 means of perpetual growth. They walked with na- 

 ture, as the scholar walks with the great master, list- 

 ening as he unfolds his thoughts, and deferentially 

 propounding questions in every case of doubt. It 

 was because in nature there was thought embodied 

 the constant unfolding of a plan drawn by infinite 

 wisdom, and written out on every star and mountain 

 in all the tribes of land and water in the expand- 

 ing flower and glittering grain of sand that they 

 never tired of her comrnunings, never grew wiser 

 than their teacher, but felt themselves to be children 

 to the last. 



* Deceased since this was written. 



