MOLLUSCA. 3 



above all, my desire is that you should be led to 

 trace in all that nature presents, the hand of an 

 Almighty and beneficent Creator. When you 

 are struck with the organization of a plant, fitting 

 it for some particular purpose, or see the means 

 of defence possessed by one animal, of attack by 

 another, should your admiration rest in these 

 instruments, whilst you forget Him who prepared 

 and fitted the instrument for its appointed work ? 

 Suppose that you have yourself made or done 

 anything very nicely and with great pains for a 

 friend, would you feel satisfied, or think it just, 

 if, whilst your performance was admired, you 

 were forgotten ? 



Child. I should consider such conduct very 

 unjust. 



Teacher. And what lesson do you suppose 

 that I wish to teach you by drawing your atten- 

 tion to your own feelings when your industry 

 and ingenuity have been thus overlooked ? 



Child. That when we are strnck with the 

 beauty and utility of any of God's works, we 

 should praise him for his wisdom, and thank him 

 for his goodness. 



Teacher. It is with such feelings that I wish 

 you to study Natural History, and it would then 

 prove a very delightful and profitable employ- 

 ment.* You must now return to the consider- 

 ation of the animals before you. Examine them 



* It is most important in giving instruction in Natural 

 History, early to accustom children to recognise the God of 

 nature in his works. If God be robbed of his glory, how 

 B 2 



