IV PREFACE. 



by showing him how he feels and breathes ; how the grain of corn 

 germinates ; how the trunk of the oak-tree is developed; or by 

 showing him iron and copper ores, and telling him how brass and 

 steel are made, etc., etc., all subjects the application of which will 

 be met with at every step in the ordinary course of life. 



The first instruction for the child cannot be designed to teach 

 many things, but ought to succeed in instilling into his mind 

 the love of study, and to lead him to reflect. It is therefore 

 necessary that while teaching him we should also amuse and 

 interest him, show him the value of knowledge, and improve 

 his mind by awakening his intelligence. 



The results of such a study are easy to foresee. The mind 

 of the child is accustomed to compare objects with each other, 

 and he becomes more exact in his appreciation of different 

 things, his reason is developed, and is especially raised by 

 the instinctive admiration which he feels for all the wonders 

 of Creation, as he learns to know all their perfection and 

 admirable order. 



To make our work as practically useful as possible, we have 

 made use of words easily understood by children, and we have given 

 good and clear explanations. We have also availed ourselves of 

 the assistance of eminent professors, who have kindly undertaken 

 to revise all the diagrams in detail, and to whom the scrupulous 

 fidelity of the representations is due. 



We are, then, confident of having produced a work which will 

 be understood by the uninitiated, for whom it is intended ; and 

 the encouragement of professors of the highest standing gives 

 us the assurance that it will be appreciated by the learned. 



The execution of the work is based upon the following 

 principles, which we believe to be incontrovertible : 



1st. Education by the eyes is that which is least fatiguing to 

 the intelligence and memory. When a fact is stated, and illus- 

 trated by a figure, or by a natural object, it is better understood, 

 and is more firmly impressed on the memory. 



2nd. Nothing is more attractive to children than the coloured 



