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PREFACE. 



THE study of nature is the basis of religion; 

 and in the primitive ages of the world, previous 

 to the epoch of revelation, mankind had no 

 other guide to direct them to a knowledge of 

 the 'existence and attributes of the Deity, than 

 the contemplation of his works. These, indeed, 

 exhibited such evident proofs of his power, his 

 wisdom, and his goodness, as were sufficient to 

 convince rational creatures that a self-existent 

 and infinite Being was the source and origin of 

 all existence. This St. Paul so well understood * 

 that he condemns the Gentiles, because, after 

 having recognized the Supreme Being in the 

 works of the creation, they neglected to worship 

 him, and considers them as inexcusable; " Be- 

 cause," says he, " the invisible things of Him 

 from the creation of the world are clearly seen, 

 being understood by the things that are made, 

 ven his Eternal Power and Godhead." 



After the decision of so great an authority, 

 ihe propriety of introducing the study of natu- 

 ral history, into the system of juvenile education, 

 can scarcely be called in question. It is indeed 

 of the utmost importance to exhibit to 



