26 NATURAL HISTORY 



sucli language could be applied to a meteorite, it 13 

 equally true of every pebble beneath our feet. To 

 translate these marks, to read this language of the 

 mineral kingdom, we have in kind the highest con- 

 ditions for mental activity. Other departments may 

 give us higher degrees. "We have here a multitude 

 of forms each form perfectly defined sensible 

 properties varied without limit all combined form- 

 ing labels for every species in the mineral kingdom, 

 as perfect as the works of God ever are, and yet only 

 to be read by the keenest mental insight, and by 

 calling into active exercise every sense. The nature 

 of this language we have already indicated ; but we 

 will examine it more in detail, because it is that in 

 which the whole book of nature is written. And he 

 who would in after-life read the inscriptions on her 

 grand old arches the poems in her grottoes must 

 not despise the alphabet which, meaningless by it- 

 self, is the only key to unlock those well-springs of 

 knowledge which the multitude never enjoy ; hardly 

 knowing of their existence, though walking for life 

 among them. And, like all others, it is a 

 of signs. 



